Governor Mike Parson has given the next Cooper County Assessor an early start to the role.

Parson formally appointed Gayle Linneman to the position Wednesday, Dec. 11, one of four county office vacancies that the governor filled ahead of his final month in office. Linneman was already sworn into the position in October following the retirement of her predecessor Christy Linhart, and was unopposed for a four-year term in last month’s general election. State law defines the start of an assessor’s term in office as Sept. 1, meaning that Linneman is serving the final year of Linhart’s unexpired term.

Prior to becoming assessor, Linneman worked as an office coordinator for a chiropractor and as a realtor. She is also the chair of Immanuel Lutheran School Board.