Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

References

Timeline

Hi, I’m

Kenny Ross

Columbia,MO

Summary

Self-directed and resourceful Chief of Staff with 20 years of experience successfully organizing, managing and delivering cross-functional projects. Influences and guides at executive-level while structuring and executing complex analyses to support strategy in fast-paced and evolving environment. Excellent influencer and relationship builder with growth mindset and strong communications skills to summarize and present multiple topics effectively to wide audience.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Missouri Senate

Chief of Staff for Senator Mike Bernskoetter

10.2023 - Current

Job overview

Develop legislative strategy, handle special projects, supervise staff for Senator Mike Bernskoetter.

Missouri House of Representatives

Chief of Staff for Speaker Dean Plocher

12.2021 - 10.2023

Job overview

Develop legislative strategy, manage staff, provide oversight of Missouri House of Representatives purchases and handle inter-governmental relations for House Speaker.

Missouri House of Representatives

Chief of Staff for Speaker Rob Vescovo

12.2019 - 12.2021

Job overview

Develop legislative strategy, manage staff, provide oversight of Missouri House of Representatives purchases and handle inter-governmental relations for House Speaker.
Passed first education reform legislation in 20 years.

Missouri House of Representatives

Chief of Staff for Speaker Elijah Haahr

12.2017 - 12.2019

Job overview

Develop legislative strategy, manage staff, provide oversight of Missouri House of Representatives purchases and handle inter-governmental relations for House Speaker.
Worked with Speaker and House Chief Clerk to lead House of Representatives through COVID crisis and shutdown.

Missouri House of Representatives

Chief of Staff for Speaker Todd Richardson

12.2017 - 11.2018

Job overview

Developed legislative strategy, managed staff, provided oversight of Missouri House of Representatives purchases and handled inter-governmental relations for Speaker of House
Wrote Rules of the House of Representatives 99th General Assembly
Coordinated first major restructuring of House Rules in 10 years.

Missouri House of Representatives

Legislative Director for Speaker Todd Richardson

05.2015 - 12.2017

Job overview

Oversaw and assisted in managing legislative process in Missouri House of Representatives including referral of all bills, committee assignments and securing passage of priority legislation for House Speaker
Served as primary point of contact with administrative staff in developing, coordinating, and carrying out the long-term goals of House of Representatives.

Missouri House of Representatives

Legislative Director for Speaker John Diehl

01.2015 - 05.2015

Job overview

Oversaw and assisted in managing legislative process in the Missouri House of Representatives including referral of all bills, committee assignments and securing passage of priority legislation for House Speaker
Served as primary point of contact with administrative staff in developing, coordinating, and carrying out long-term goals of the House as an institution.

Missouri House of Representatives

Legislative Director for Speaker Tim Jones

01.2013 - 12.2014

Job overview

Oversaw and assisted in managing legislative process in Missouri House of Representatives including referral of all bills, committee assignments and securing passage of priority legislation for House Speaker
Led and coordinated efforts to restructure and streamline legislative departments to ensure accountability and save taxpayer dollars.

Missouri State Senate

Chief of Staff for Senator Ron Richard & Senator Mike Parson

01.2011 - 12.2012

Job overview

Oversaw and directed staff
Prepared legislation and floor action
Strategic planning for legislative process.

Missouri House of Representatives

Legislative Director for Speaker Ron Richard & Chairman of the House Rules Committee Mike Parson

01.2009 - 12.2010

Job overview

Responsible for referring all legislation filed in House, responsible for committee assignments, and passing Speaker priority legislation
Coordinated activities of House Rules Committee
Supervised Rules Committee staff.

Missouri House of Representatives

Legislative Director for Speaker Rod Jetton

09.2007 - 01.2008

Job overview

Responsible for referring all legislation filed in House, responsible for committee assignments, and passing Speaker priority legislation.

Education

University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO

Master’s Degree from Public Administration

01.2012

University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO

Bachelor’s Degree from History

01.2007

University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO

Bachelor’s Degree from Political Science

01.2007

Skills

Influencing skills
Knowledge management
Meeting facilitation
Collaborative mindset
Ethical Leadership
Planning and Prioritization

Critical Thinking
Policy and procedure modification
Administrative background
Process Improvement
Workforce Planning
Results Orientation

References

Todd Richardson, MO HealthNet Division Director, Missouri Department of Social Services, (573) 727-4488
Elijah Haahr, Former Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, (417) 693-2138
Rob Vescovo, Former Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, (314) 308-4345

Timeline