Vivek Malek is Missouri’s new treasurer and the primary Indian American to carry a statewide public workplace.

Gov. Mike Parson introduced Malek’s appointment Tuesday afternoon in a information convention on the Capitol. Malek, an India native and Wildwood resident, will serve out the remaining two years of Scott Fitzpatrick’s time period earlier than going through an election in 2024.

“I want to make sure every child in Missouri grows up with the same opportunities I have had here,” Malek informed reporters. “I know that times have been tough lately. I believe that Missouri needs a steady, conservative hand in the Office of Treasurer, and I will work every day to make sure taxpayers’ money is invested wisely and directed in the most prudent ways possible.

“My tenure will be guided by the conservative principles that I hold most dear,” he stated.

Malek, who has by no means held a public workplace, will start serving because the state’s chief monetary officer in January.

The Treasurer’s Office employs about 50 individuals throughout 4 divisions, in line with its web site.

The workplace is chargeable for managing state income and investments, overseeing Missouri’s unclaimed property program, administering a pair financial improvement applications and tax-advantaged financial savings plans, and, extra lately, implementing the state’s faculty alternative scholarship program.

Parson described Malek as a “proud Republican and a strong Catholic,” whose “conservative principles are unimpeachable.” Arriving to Missouri as a world pupil with $300 in his pocket, Parson stated Malek embodies the American dream.

“State government is all about hand-ups, not handouts,” Parson stated. “And that is something Vivek has worked for throughout his entire career and why we know he will be a fantastic state leader.”

Malek is a St. Louis businessman and legal professional centered on authorized immigration litigation and enterprise immigration consulting. He’s practiced legislation in Missouri since 2006 and opened the Law Offices of Vivek Malek in 2011.

In 2020, Parson appointed Malek to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. Malek has been an occasional donor to Republicans, together with Parson, the Missouri Independent experiences.

Malek’s appointment is the second time Parson has appointed the state’s treasurer and the fifth time he’s chosen somebody to fill a statewide workplace, that are normally determined by voters. Parson has appointed two state treasurers, two attorneys basic and the state’s lieutenant governor, most lately appointing Andrew Bailey, one other political newcomer, because the state legal professional basic final month.

Fitzpatrick, a Republican who was elected state auditor in November, was initially appointed treasurer by Parson in 2018 earlier than he gained a statewide election for the workplace in 2020.

Missouri treasurers can serve as much as two four-year phrases, in line with the state structure. Treasurers serving greater than two years of a earlier treasurer’s time period can solely serve one full four-year time period.

Malek stated Tuesday he intends to run for the workplace in 2024.

The workplace doesn’t require any {qualifications} past the essential necessities to run for statewide workplace in Missouri, which embrace being a U.S. citizen and Missouri resident for not less than a 12 months, staying present with tax funds and marketing campaign finance disclosures, and never having a felony file.

Fitzpatrick was paid $107,746 for the job in 2021, in line with the state’s accountability portal.