JEFFERSON CITY- Gov. Jay Nixon announced today his appointment of Nia Ray as the new Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue effective December 1. Ray, Jefferson City, currently serves as Director of the Division of Employment Security. This appointment will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

“Nia’s executive leadership experience and many years in the public sector will serve her and the people of Missouri well in this new role,” Gov. Nixon said. “I appreciate Nia again stepping forward to lead an agency that Missouri families, businesses and communities rely on to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

Ray previously served as assistant legal counsel in the office of the governor and the Office of Administration before entering private legal practice in 2005. In 2009, Ray was appointed as executive director of Missouri’s Workforce Investment Board within the Department of Economic Development. In 2012, Ray was named director of Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Last year, Governor Nixon named Ray Director of the Division of Employment Security within the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and was confirmed by the Missouri Senate. Ray graduated Cum Laude from Spelman College in Atlanta, and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois.

Acting director John Mollenkamp will resume his previous role as deputy director. Mollenkamp was named acting director while a search for a permanent director was underway. Mollenkamp, a native of Rolla, has served as Deputy Director of Revenue since 2011.

“I want to thank John for helping to lead this department over the past 18 months, and for his continued service on behalf of the people of Missouri,” Gov. Nixon said.