Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday named Tim Keck as interim secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
Keck will fill the vacancy created when Kari Bruffett leaves to work as director of policy for the Kansas Health Institute, parent organization of the editorially independent KHI News Service.
The KDADS secretary oversees a $1.6 billion agency responsible for the state’s Older Americans Act programs, behavioral health programs, and home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities.
Since 2011, Keck has served as deputy chief counsel at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He also serves as chief counsel for the office of Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer. Keck received his Juris Doctor in 1991 from Washburn University.
In announcing the appointment, Brownback cited Keck’s experience as a volunteer member of the board of directors for Brown County Developmental Services Inc.
“Tim Keck has previously volunteered his time working with the disability communities,” Brownback said in a news release. “He has worked closely with leadership in both KDADS and KDHE to address issues that affect these communities.”
During the 2014 Kansas gubernatorial campaign, Keck requested and received documents about a police raid involving Democratic nominee Paul Davis at a Coffeyville strip club 16 years earlier. Brownback later defeated Davis to win his second term as governor.
Keck will start his new job Jan. 1, 2016, and will serve until Brownback appoints his nominee for KDADS secretary.
Also Thursday, Brownback named Johnnie Goddard as interim secretary for the Department of Corrections. Goddard is a 30-year veteran of the Department of Corrections. Ray Roberts, the current corrections secretary, will retire Dec. 31 after a 40-year career.