Vivek Malek was sworn in as Missouri’s 48th State Treasurer on January 17, 2023, the latest chapter in his inspiring American story.
Born in Rohtak, India, he earned bachelors and law degrees in India before coming to Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau for his masters in business administration.
Arriving in Missouri on August 11, 2001, after the first plane trip of his life, he had two suitcases and $300 in his pocket. He was immediately welcomed into the community, and Vivek fell in love with Missouri.
Through hard work and study, Vivek earned his MBA from SEMO and he went on to receive a master of laws degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He decided to make Missouri his home and began practicing law.
Vivek became a proud American and built a successful business devoted to helping other legal immigrants achieve their American dreams.
In January 2020, Gov. Mike Parson tapped Vivek to serve on the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors. Gov. Parson again recognized Vivek’s leadership on Dec. 20, 2022, appointing him as Missouri Treasurer to succeed Scott Fitzpatrick, who was elected State Auditor.
Vivek hit the ground running as State Treasurer – returning more than $1.7 million dollars of unclaimed property to Missouri taxpayers within the first three days he was in office. This set a new Missouri record for the most unclaimed property returned so early in an administration. The Missouri Treasurer is the custodian of more than $1 billion in unclaimed property that is waiting to be claimed by its rightful owners.
As a strong fiscal conservative, Vivek’s approach as State Treasurer centers on what he calls the “Three P’s”:
First: PROTECT Taxpayers’ Money – to ensure investments are safe while earning the best rate of return for Missourians.
Second: PROVIDE the Opportunity for Growth – with programs of the Treasurer’s Office including MOST, MoScholars, MoAble, and MoBucks.
Third: PROMOTE the Promise of America.
“I am blessed to have truly lived the American Dream,” Vivek says. “I owe so much to America and Missouri, and I want to give back. America is a place of unlimited possibilities, where you can achieve anything if you work hard and get an education. This is the American Dream.”
Vivek and his wife Riju are the parents of three very active children: Daughter Naija, son Viraj and youngest daughter Myra.
