A longtime staff member for Missouri Governor Mike Parson will begin a new role this fall at a different state agency.

Deputy Chief of Staff Kelli Jones will leave the governor’s office this November to become the new Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Learning Services at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Jones has worked for Parson since his election in 2016 to become Lieutenant Governor. When Parson assumed the governorship in June 2018, Jones followed to become his communications director and later the deputy chief of staff. Before joining Parson’s staff, Jones taught communications and English at State Technical College in Linn and was also a department chair.

In a statement from the governor’s office, Jones said, “As I embark on this new chapter of life and reminisce on nearly a decade with Governor Parson, navigating crisis after crisis and celebrating win after win, I can’t help but smile at the opportunity God has given me with the support of my family.” Jones goes on to say that Parson and his staff will hold a special place in her heart, but as the governor’s term comes to an end, I still have some fire left in me and am excited to join Dr. Karla Eslinger in continuing to make a positive difference for Missouri families at DESE.”

Jones’ new position at DESE begins November 1st.