PRESS RELEASE
Treasurer Fitzpatrick Announces New Director of Program Administration
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick
today announced that Kim Baughman has been named Director of Program
Administration for the Treasurer’s Office. In this new role, Baughman will be
primarily involved in implementing Missouri’s new K-12 Scholarship Program,
MOScholars. “I am excited to welcome Kim to
the Treasurer’s Office. Her background in state government and implementing tax
credit programs makes her the ideal fit for this new position,” Treasurer
Fitzpatrick said. “Over the past several months, my staff and I have been
working to develop and put the new scholarship program into place and look
forward to launching it as soon as possible. In creating this role, we sought
to hire someone with the expertise to help launch this new program and provide
dedicated oversight to the other valuable programs the Office oversees.” Prior to joining the Treasurer’s
Office, Baughman served as the Community Finance manager with the Department of
Economic Development (DED), overseeing multiple tax credit and grant programs,
including the Neighborhood Assistance and Youth Opportunities programs. During her 15 year career at
DED, Baughman earned her Economic Development Finance Professional
certification, led critical initiatives to implement a Workforce Training
incentive program and improve existing tax credit programs, and completed both
the Missouri Way and Missouri Leadership Academy, the State’s innovative
program that brings together emerging leaders from across all 16 executive departments
to build new skills and become better leaders. Baughman holds a Bachelor’s
degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. “I am passionate about service and providing
opportunities and resources to youth and families who are under-resourced and
underserved. This position is a wonderful way to put this passion into action,”
Baughmann said. “I look forward to implementing this new program and working to
make sure existing programs continue to serve Missourians.” As Director of Program
Administration, Baughman will oversee MOScholars, as well as MOST, Missouri’s 529 plan, MO ABLE, Missouri’s savings and investment
program for individuals with disabilities, and the Show-Me Checkbook. During the most recent
legislative session, the General Assembly passed HB349 and SB86 which
established the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, MOScholars.
The law provides for state tax credits for contributions to nonprofit Education
Assistance Organizations (EAOs). Under the guidelines set forth in the governing
statute, qualifying Missouri K-12 students may then apply for scholarships from
participating EAOs to attend a K-12 institution other than their designated
public school. More information about
MOScholars can be found here: https://treasurer.mo.gov/content/MOScholars.
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