JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe announced today the appointment of several individuals who will make up his senior staff in the governor’s office.
“I’m ready to get to work with this talented group of hardworking individuals who share my vision and passion for securing an even better future for Missourians,” Governor-Elect Kehoe said. “I’ve known and worked closely with many of them for years, and each person brings invaluable experiences and expertise to the Governor’s Office. I look forward to having this team by my side as we work to make Missouri an even better place to live and work.”
Chief of Staff Adam Gresham currently serves Governor-Elect Kehoe as transition director and Chief of Staff in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. He has worked in various positions in state government, including in the Missouri Senate and in the Governor Blunt Administration. Gresham graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served as an infantry and intelligence officer in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Memphis.
Deputy Chief of Staff – Policy and Legislation Bill Anderson previously served as Vice President of State Legislation at the Missouri Hospital Association. His state government experience includes the Missouri Technology Corporation and Director of Policy under Governor Matt Blunt. Anderson earned Master of Science in economics and finance and a Bachelor of Science in economics from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Deputy Chief of Staff – Operations Casey Adrian serves as the Buy Missouri Director and Tourism Liaison in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and previously served in various positions in the Missouri Senate. Adrian holds a Master of Arts in mass communications/media studies and a Bachelor of Science in business administration and management from the University of Central Missouri.
General Counsel Lowell Pearson brings more than 30 years of experience navigating the intersection of business and government at both state and federal levels. Most recently, Pearson was the Office Managing Partner at Husch Blackwell. He also served as Deputy Director of Revenue and General Counsel to Governor Matt Blunt. He earned a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.
Policy Director Jamie Birch joined the Office of Governor in December 2020 and has managed a policy portfolio consisting of Missouri’s 17 Executive Branch agencies. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Birch served as the Legislative Director for the Missouri Public Service Commission. She also has experience working in Arizona state government as a Policy Advisor for the Office of Arizona Governor Janice Brewer. Birch earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Arizona State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri–Columbia.
Legislative Director Drew Dampf holds years of experience working in the Missouri Senate as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations and, most recently, the Majority Floor Leader. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia
Communications Director Gabrielle Picard most recently served as Communications Director on the Kehoe gubernatorial campaign. Prior to joining the campaign, she served as Communications Director in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and previously held positions the Office of Governor under Governor Michael L. Parson. Picard earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Mississippi.
The Office of Governor-Elect will continue to announce administration appointments in the coming weeks.
