Kelvin Simmons calls for inclusion at Business Salute, Bill Miller announced as state director of Personnel-courtesy of The St. Louis American

No one wants to walk up to a house where the owners emanate coldness and the blinds are shut.

For minority and women business owners, that has been the house they approach when they’ve tried to get a foot in the door for State contracts, said Kelvin L. Simmons, commissioner of the Missouri Office of Administration.

“We are going to talk about how a house was built to allow minorities and women to have a greater participation in the procurement activities at the State,” he said.

“But just remember that it took two decades to build that house.”Simmons told the story of minority inclusion in Missouri to 500 attendees at the Salute to Excellence in Business Awards Networking Luncheon on Tuesday.

He also announced that the new director for the state’s Division of Personnel will be Bill Miller, an African American human resources consultant. Besides being a consultant, Miller is also a motivational speaker, voice-over artist, media talent and the former mayor of the city of Berkeley, Mo. for seven years. He also sits on the Board of Election Commissioners of St. Louis County.

Simmons titled his story of minority inclusion in Missouri “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and the Hopeful.”

Simmons said the “good” was the business community honored at the luncheon, and the fact that St. Louis is home of the largest minority-owned business in the country: World Wide Technology, Inc.

Simmons said he remembers when David L. Steward, founder and chairman of WWT, was knocking on the door but no one was letting him in.

“Now no one can imagine Mr. Steward on the outside looking in,” Simmons said. “No, not today.”

Blueprint for inclusion

The early 1980s and ‘90s were the blueprint years, Simmons said. The Missouri General Assembly passed Senate bills 808 and 672, which Simmons said allowed the Office of Administration to “implement a plan to increase and maintain participation goals for minority-owned businesses in supplies and contracts that were consistent with goals after an appropriate study.”

In the ‘90s, there were five policies that began to build the structure of the house. Simmons said he authored and Gov. Mel Carnahan signed an executive order, which put into place the first MBE/WBE participation goals.

In 1993, the State’s Minority Business Advocacy Commission was established.

In 1995 and ‘96, the State conducted its first statewide disparity study to see if there was ongoing discrimination and past discrimination locking minorities out of opportunities.

“It took the courage of good people and politicians to make sure Missouri was a better place,” he said. “We did build the house.”

Simmons mentioned three examples of how State agencies have made progress based on the policies established during the blueprint and structure-building years.

In 2000, the State’s Department of Insurance had 10 percent WBE/MBE participation, the Economic Development department had 7.4 percent and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations had 7 percent.

By 2003, those numbers went up to 48 percent, 26 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

Wrecking inclusion

“Now I talked about the good and the house being built, but now I have to tell you about the bad and the ugly,” Simmons said.

On Sept. 27, 2004, a lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the western district of Missouri challenging the MBE program.

“It was the first rock that went through the window of the house,” he said.

In January 2005, a preliminary injunction was issued, ordering the Office of Administration and the state of Missouri to suspend the placing of MBE/WBE requirements in any state procurement.

“You might as well have pulled out the wrecking ball,” he said.

In 2007, there was no minority business advocacy at the State level, and that was reflected in the participation numbers for State agencies. The Department of Insurance’s MBE/WBE participation went down to 0.1 percent, the Economic Development to 13 percent and Labor Industrial Relations was at 0.4 percent.

And, the lawsuit never even went to court.

“Right around the time the house was being torn down, we had an outsider come from the State of California,” Simmons said.

“Ward Connerly brought his efforts into the state of Missouri, where he was simply going to insure that MBE/WBE procurement participation would no longer exist in the state of Missouri. He called it the Civil Rights Initiative.”

Fortunately, an organized campaign in Missouri stopped the initiative before it could get on the ballot.

“But guess what folks, they’re here again,” he said.

‘Hopeful’ sequel

And now is the time to write the “Hopeful” sequel to the story.

“We have to refocus our efforts and build a stronger house,” Simmons said.

“One that can weather a political and policy storm. One that can sustain itself over a period of time. It’s time we ask our legislators to rethink how our State can open up business for all.”

Simmons said that Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration will have an aggressive rebuilding program. He said they are going to request a one-time appropriation in the Office of Administration budget for a new disparity study. The last disparity study was conducted over 15 years ago.

Simmons said the Office of Administration will reconstitute the Minority Business Advocacy Commission, a process that is already underway. He will appoint an oversight committee that will work with the commission to make recommendations of best practices for minority- and women-owned businesses.

Simmons said the office will put together a new executive order, one that reflects the reality of the business climate.

The office also will partner with Department of Commerce to implement a new outreach plan to assist W/MBE with contracting opportunities and stimulus dollars.

“When we are done rebuilding, it won’t look like this old house,” Simmons said. “It will look like something different.” Courtesy of Rebecca S. Rivas, The St. Louis American, Thursday, November 12, 2009.

Commissioner Kelvin Simmons to keynote Nov. 10 Business Salute-Courtesy of the St. Louis American.

“We are in a state of: improvement needed.” That is Kelvin L. Simmons, commissioner of the Office of Administration for the State of Missouri, speaking on the status of minority business in Missouri.

Simmons will have much more to say on this important topic come Tuesday, November 10, when he will provide the keynote speech at the 10th annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon, to be hosted at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton by the St. Louis American Foundation, the RCGA and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Simmons said the substance of his speech would “crystallize” between now and the Nov. 10 event, based on “local, regional and national events,” but it’s unlike his general sense that much work remains to be done will change.

“If we were to come up with a score card for what the State might do to improve minority business in Missouri, the score card would be ‘incomplete,’” Simmons said.

As commissioner, Simmons oversees the eight divisions of the Office of Administration, which include: Accounting, Budget and Planning, Facilities Management & Design and Construction, Information Technology, General Services, Personnel, Purchasing, and Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity.

He is the highest-ranking African American in Missouri government, but prominent posts are not new to him. Three different Missouri governors have appointed him to five high-level appointments, and he has served in four governors’ administrations.

The late Gov. Mel Carnahan appointed him as a senior staff member and later named him as a commissioner on the Missouri Public Service Commission. Gov. Bob Holden appointed him chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission in 2001. Holden would also appoint Simmons to the cabinet post of director of Economic Development in 2003.

So Simmons knows what he is saying when he judges that this “incomplete” score for minority business inclusion has been in place for a long time.

“I’d say in some cases, the things we needed 20 years ago are things we still need today,” Simmons said: “access to capital, the ability to compete.”



He said he plans to bring to the podium fresh data about minority inclusion in Missouri and a sense of policy direction, drawn from his many years of experience dating back to a previous stint as director of Economic Development for Missouri. In that time, he said, he has seen “ebbs and flows” in the success of minority businesses in Missouri.

“Because of the economic downturn, we might be going down even further right now,” Simmons said.

Yet, he is conscious of coming to the metropolitan area where the largest African-American business is headquartered, David L. Steward’s World Wide Technology, Inc., and he plans to see some people in St. Louis who can help him move minority business ahead in the state.

“There are a variety of people in St. Louis with knowledge and a clear vision of where we need to go,” Simmons said, listing first James Webb of the St. Louis Minority Business Council.

Simmons also has strong roots in a city on the other side of the state that has something to teach the African-American community in St. Louis about progress through unity.

“In Kansas City, we have always had a political organization (Freedom, Inc.) that fostered political participation within the African-American community,” Simmons said.

He pointed out what is often noted by political observers – that Kansas City has done better at electing African Americans at a wide range of government positions than areas with a larger black voting population, including St. Louis.

“How have we been able to do that, when we are smaller? It goes to the fortitude of the organization: Freedom, Inc.,” Simmons said. Couretsy of By Chris King of the St. Louis American.

Biography of Commissioner Kelvin Simmons


Admirers of Commissioner Kelvin Adams.

Statement from Gov. Nixon on Senate confirmation of three of his appointments-Courtesy of the Office of Missouri Governor.

Jefferson City, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon today praised the Missouri Senate for confirming three of his appointments. The Senate today confirmed Kelvin L. Simmons as Commissioner of Administration, Karen King Mitchell as Director of the Department of Revenue, and Stephen L. Danner as Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard.

“I applaud the Senate for moving forward quickly on these appointments,” Gov. Nixon said. “These are three highly capable individuals who are assuming important posts in leading Missouri through the challenges we face. They will serve the people of Missouri well.”

•Kelvin Simmons is a former director of the Department of Economic Development and a former chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission. He most recently founded and operated a consulting firm in Kansas City. As the state’s main service and control agency, the Office of Administration coordinates the central management functions of state government.

•Karen King Mitchell formerly was Chief Deputy Attorney General for the Missouri Attorney General for 10 years, and had been State Solicitor and Chief Counsel for the Governmental Affairs Division for the Attorney General prior to that. The Missouri Department of Revenue is the central collection agency for all state revenue.

•Stephen L. Danner, who has served in the U.S. military for more than 30 years, served as Command Judge Advocate in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a former Assistant Adjutant General, Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor, and legal counsel to the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives. As Adjutant General, Danner will hold the rank of Brigadier General and will oversee the operations of the Army and Air National Guard units assigned to the state by the federal government. Source: Office of Missouri Governor,January 22, 2009.

Admirers of Commissioner Kelvin Simmons.

Gov.-elect Jay Nixon Names Kelvin Simmons Designee for Commissioner of Administration-Courtesy of the Office of Missouri Governor.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov.-elect Jay Nixon today announced his intention to appoint Mr. Kelvin L. Simmons, a Kansas City businessman, to the position of Commissioner of Administration beginning in January. Mr. Simmons, who has managed multiple state agencies and private organizations, will bring extensive experience in the governmental, non-profit and business sectors to the Office of Administration.

"Kelvin Simmons has the experience, intellect and managerial skill to be a great Commissioner of Administration," Gov.-elect Nixon said. "Kelvin's passion for public service and success in the private sector make him a uniquely qualified choice for this important position. During these difficult economic times, we must find ways to make government more efficient and accountable to the people. I look forward to working closely with Kelvin to make sure state government uses Missourians' hard-earned tax dollars as responsibly and effectively as possible."

"It's clear that Missouri is facing difficult economic times. Just as Missouri families are looking for ways to do more with less, we must be ready to do the same in state government," Mr. Simmons said. "Under Gov.-elect Nixon's leadership, we'll make government more efficient and improve services for the taxpayers. I'm honored Gov.-elect Nixon has asked me to join his team, and I look forward to returning to public service as part of his administration."

During his career in state government, Mr. Simmons has led two major state agencies. From 2001 to 2003, he was Chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, an agency with a $20 million budget and 218 employees. In 2003, Mr. Simmons left the Public Service Commission when Gov. Bob Holden appointed him Director of the Department of Economic Development, where he was responsible for managing a budget of $275 million and 1,550 employees.

Mr. Simmons first joined Missouri state government in 1993 as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity in the Office of Administration. Later that year, Gov. Mel Carnahan appointed Mr. Simmons Director of Constituent Services in his office, where he served until 1996. Mr. Simmons was elected city councilman in Kansas City's Fifth District in 1997 and re-elected in 1999.

Since leaving the Department of Economic Development in 2005, Mr. Simmons has worked for a variety of private organizations, including non-profit agencies and consulting groups. In 2006, he founded A.M. Development Company, a consulting firm that provides public policy, strategic planning and executive recruitment services for its clients.

Mr. Simmons, 45, earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies and communications studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1986. He earned an executive MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1999.

As the state's main service and control agency, the Office of Administration coordinates the central management functions of the state government. The Office of Administration includes seven divisions: accounting; budget and planning; facilities management, design and construction; general services; information technology services; personnel; and purchasing and materials management. The Commissioner is appointed by the Governor with advice and consent from the Senate. Courtesy of the Office of Missouri Governor, November 17, 2008.

Admirers of Commissioner Kelvin Adams.

The Kelvin Story-article from the website when Kelvin Simmons was running for Missouri State Treasurer.

Kelvin's Family

Kelvin L. Simmons was born on October 4, 1963, and is the son of the late Thurman and Inez Simmons. Kelvin was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and he attended public schools from kindergarten through high school. He was taught the value of hard work by watching and learning from his parents. A member of the United Auto Workers Union, his father Thurman worked for 33 years at the Leeds General Motors Plant in Kansas City, MO. His mother was a domestic worker. Both parents and Kelvin were involved in church and Thurman at one time served as the head of the Sunrise Baptist Church Deacon Board. The church's library was named in his honor after his passing in 1989.

Growing Up in Kansas City

In Kelvin's early years he was a National Honor Student, voted by his classmates as "Most Likely to Succeed," starting quarterback for his varsity football team, and Vice President of his Junior & Senior Class. Kelvin achieved these goals while working two jobs in high school - at Brown's Chicken and in the Kansas City Medical Center housekeeping department. Kelvin is no stranger to hard work and is consistently known for out working his competition to achieve his goals.

Kelvin's Public Service

In 1993, Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan appointed Kelvin as the State Director of Equal Employment Opportunity. Kelvin was responsible for fair employment practices for all 16-state agencies in Missouri's state government. Kelvin drafted the executive order signed by Governor Carnahan in 1994, that is credited with dramatically improving the number of women and minorities serving at the highest levels in state government. From 1993 to 1997, the number of women and minorities in top state government positions increased by more than 300%.

The success of the program led Governor Carnahan to appoint Kelvin to a senior staff position in his office as the Director of Constituent Services. Kelvin became the person responsible for handling constituent concerns on behalf of the Governor throughout the State of Missouri. He served in this position from 1993 to 1996.

Kansas City Voters Elect Kelvin

In 1997, Kelvin was elected to the Kansas City Council. His 5th District seat includes over 70,000 residents and is one of the largest municipal districts in the State of Missouri. He was re-elected in 1999 with no opposition. He serves on the Finance Committee that is responsible for the City's $880 million budget and he is the only Council member that serves on the City's Investment Portfolio Committee which is responsible for investing over $560 million in city investments. Since his election and service on the Finance Committee, Kansas City has received higher ratings on city accounting and investment practices from Governance magazine.

Kelvin also serves on the National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Steering Committee which is responsible for setting national policy on economic development and housing issues.

Kelvin's Commitment to Voter Participation

During the 1990's, Kelvin has been active on the local, state, and national levels working for Congressman Alan Wheat, Governor Carnahan, President Clinton and the Missouri Democratic Party. In 1992, Kelvin was a campaign assistant to former Congressman Alan Wheat of Kansas City, specializing in voter registration and get out the vote efforts. In the same year, Kelvin was appointed Director of Voter Registration and Get Out the Vote for the successful Missouri Democratic Party's, "Clinton/Gore Victory 92 Coordinated Campaign." His efforts of registering more than 25,000 new voters in the Kansas City area contributed to President Clinton's and the five Democratic statewide office holders impressive victories. In 1996, Kelvin was asked by President Clinton's National Campaign Team to become the Missouri Political Director. Kelvin's efforts, along with a great team of strong Democrats, again led to a presidential victory and all statewide Democratic officeholders winning re-election.

The Key to Kelvin's Success - Education

With high expectations from his parents who knew the importance of education to his future, Kelvin pursued an advanced college education and has received three college degrees. Kelvin has an Executive MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and two undergraduate degrees from The University of Missouri at Columbia. He also briefly attended the University of Missouri -Columbia School of Law. Kelvin has also studied abroad in Sweden, Finland, South Africa, Hong Kong and Beijing China as part of his college education.

Kelvin's Community Service

Instilled in Kelvin was the responsibility to give back to his community. Kelvin founded a local support program for young men designed to provide mentors to at-risk young men in the Chouteau Housing Complex from 1990 to 1992. The program was titled Save Our Sons. Kelvin is currently a member of the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, the American Council of Young Political Leaders, Young Democrats of Kansas City, Phi-Beta-Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the NAACP. Kelvin is also active in many other civic and community organizations.

Kelvin's Family Today

Kelvin is proud to be married to Cheryl Simmons, the current Director of Community Affairs for Governor Carnahan's Kansas City Office. Prior to working for Governor Carnahan, Cheryl was the Branch Manager for State Treasurer Bob Holden's Kansas City Office. Cheryl is the Chairman of the Women for Simmons Committee that has already signed up over 1000 women statewide to support Kelvin's campaign to become Missouri's next State Treasurer. And Kelvin's Mom Inez is hard at work rounding up support for Kelvin in his boyhood neighborhood.

Admirers of Commissioner Kelvin Simmons.

Welcome

This blog is all about Mr. Kelvin Simmons, the current Missouri Commissioner of Administration. Did you know that he is the highest ranking African American in Missouri government? He directs the most powerful office for Governor Jay Nixon.

Mr. Simmons is a man of great character and substance and is sensitive to the needs of the poor and the underprivileged. He is also a shrewd politician and a mover and shaker. This blog will track his beginnings up to where he is today. We are his admirers and indeed very proud of him.

Governor Nixon couldn't have selected a better Commissioner of Administration. African Americans should take note of the election of President Obama and the appointment of Mr. Simmons to such a prominent office in Missouri government. Anything is possible.

Admirers of Commissioner Kelvin Simmons.