Parson appoints treasurer to succeed Fitzpatrick

Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday appointed a new state treasurer to succeed Scott Fitzpatrick.

Vivek Malek, a practicing attorney and business owner in the St. Louis area, is Parson's pick, according to a news release. Stephanie Whitaker, deputy communications director for Parson's office, said a transition team is still determining Malek's start date in the treasurer role.

Malek is taking over for Fitzpatrick, who in November was elected state auditor.

Owner and operator of the Law Offices of Vivek Malek, the new treasurer designee practices in immigration litigation and business immigration consulting, according to the release.

"It is the honor of my life to be able to serve as the next state treasurer of the state of Missouri, and I promise to give the job and the people of Missouri my all and best," said Malek, himself an immigrant to the United States, in the release. "I can attest that the American dream is alive and well. Only in this great land of freedom and liberty does it not matter who your parents are or what your ethnicity is in determining your success."

Malek is originally from India.

The state treasurer serves as Missouri's chief financial officer, with duties including protecting taxpayers’ funds from fraud and abuse and safeguarding unclaimed property, according to Treasurer.Mo.Gov.