Bio

Chris is the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Adult Learning & Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The Office of Adult Learning & Rehabilitation Services administers the Disability Determination Services, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), and Veteran's Education programs. Chris began his career with DESE in 2007 as a VR Counselor in the Sedalia district office. In 2011 he was promoted to the Assistant Director of Staff Development and relocated to the VR Central Office in Jefferson City. In 2013 he was promoted to the statewide Director of Community Rehabilitation programs, and was later promoted to the Assistant Field Operations Manager in 2016, the Coordinator of Performance Management in 2018 (the role that he was in when he participated in MLA), and then to his current role in 2022. Chris holds a Bachelor Science in Psychology from Indiana University, a Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Missouri, and a PhD in Public Affairs from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Chris’s biggest takeaway from Missouri Leadership Academy is a deeper understanding of how Missouri State Government operates.