Nicole Galloway, the Boone County Treasurer, was sworn in as the new Missouri State Auditor on Monday. Kay Murray was then sworn in as the interim treasurer for the county.
Gov. Jay Nixon announced April 15 that he had chosen Galloway to fill the position.
Galloway is replacing the current interim State Auditor John Watson, whom Nixon appointed after the previous State Auditor, Thomas Schweich, died of suicide on Feb. 26.
Galloway served as the Boone County Treasurer since April 2011. She is a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner. Nixon said he felt this previous experience will allow Galloway to succeed in as state auditor.
“The office of the State Auditor is responsible for safeguarding taxpayer dollars; rooting out waste, fraud and abuse; and ensuring that state government programs operate with the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability Missourians expect and deserve,” Nixon said in a news release. “As a CPA and certified fraud examiner, Galloway is uniquely qualified to step into this important role.”
Galloway assured Missourians in a news release that she will hold government offices accountable.
“Every Missourian should know that this office will continue to hold itself – and others – to the highest standards of excellence and accountability,” Galloway said in a news release. “The people of Missouri have my commitment that I will be an independent watchdog that reviews all levels of government with even-handedness and integrity.
Galloway continued to affirm that taxpayers and their money will be protected.
“The office will be committed to protecting taxpayers and ensuring that government is held accountable for the resources it uses and to the citizens it serves,” she said.
Galloway said in an email that she was grateful for being given this opportunity.
“It is an honor to serve Missourians in this role and I thank Nixon for his trust,” she said. “He has placed me in a role to perform crucial work as an independent, professional watchdog for taxpayers. I am eager to take on this challenge because I see opportunities to make our state a better place.”
Galloway said having managed Boone County funds has prepared her to be State Auditor.
“First and foremost, Missourians want a professional auditor that can do the job – holding government accountable to its citizens, making sure that the government they provide resources to runs as effectively and efficiently as possible,” she said. “I have displayed this professionalism as a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner in Boone County. I have managed our $100 million investment portfolio, with cash flow at $190 million annually, and I have saved citizens $4.6 million by putting our strong financial position to work.”
Wendy Doyle, the president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation, said she was excited to hear of this appointment.
“When women lead, they bring viewpoints and unique ideas to develop solutions for our government and communities,” she said in a news release.
Doyle said she felt the appointment was appropriate, in light of the lack of women in leadership roles in state government.
“For the past few years, not one of Missouri’s elected statewide executive offices was held by a woman,” she said. “At the Women’s Foundation, we are dedicated to creating opportunities and helping remove barriers that prevent women from leading, and we Nixon for his appointment of Galloway to the position of State Auditor.”
Gov. Nixon’s press secretary, Scott Holste, disagreed that the offices were not held by women, emphasizing the women Nixon appointed to his cabinet, as well as other important positions including Budget Director Linda Luebbering, Office of Community Engagement Maida Coleman and Nixon’s Communications Director Channing Ansley and several female judges.
“In all these instances, these women have been highly qualified for their positions and have done outstanding work,” Holste said.
Galloway said she feels Missourians need to use their vote to support the move towards diversity.
“Diversity in experiences is always crucial, and to do that more women in government is essential,” she said. “Women need to vote for those that represent their interest, and for that to happen, more women need to run for office in all levels of government.”
Galloway explained that more women need to be leading the way to these positions of power.
“I look forward to this country having a female president, but not many have tried,” she said. “To get to the highest office in the country, women need to run for office. Without trying, there will never be equal representation for women in government.”
