Louisiana Governor's Office issued the following announcement on Jan. 28.
Gov. John Bel Edwards today announced that Kevin Richard will replace Secretary Kimberly Lewis at the Louisiana Department of Revenue when she leaves her post for a job at Louisiana State University in February.
Lewis has served in the Edwards administration since 2016, as the Secretary of Revenue and also as an advisor to Gov. Edwards on issues related to business, the COVID-19 pandemic and health equity.
“I am grateful for the outstanding leadership Kimberly Lewis has provided to the state of Louisiana over the last six years as both a trusted advisor and my Secretary of Revenue,” Gov. Edwards said. “An intelligent and exceptional public servant, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of our state and our people. I offer her my heartfelt congratulations as she transitions to her new leadership role at LSU. Geaux Tigers!”
“Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge with him to this role, as a long-time employee of the department across many offices and divisions, most recently as the Deputy Secretary of Revenue,” Gov. Edwards said. “I look forward to working with Kevin as he takes over the leadership of the agency, which plays a critical role in funding our government and assisting people and businesses.”
Richard is a long-time Department of Revenue employee, who started with the agency in 1994 and has served as a tax auditor, manager and director, among other roles. Most recently, Richard served as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Revenue, beginning in January 2016. He is an alumnus of Southern University at New Orleans, earning degrees in Business Administration and Accounting. He has an MBA from Texas A&M University-Commerce and is a licensed certified public accountant in both Louisiana and Texas.
“I am thankful I had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Louisiana for the last six years and that Governor Edwards entrusted me with the Department of Revenue and broader policy issues. I also thank the dedicated Revenue employees I‘ve had the privilege of working with over these years in revamping our state’s tax structure and collecting the revenues used to fund vital public services for all Louisianans,” Secretary Kimberly Lewis said. “I’m looking forward to my next chapter at LSU as I continue my commitment to public service, advancing public policy and improving our state.”
“I would like to thank Secretary Lewis for her leadership and guidance over the past six plus years. I believe that as a result of her faithful service, she is leaving the state and the agency in a better place and has prepared me for assuming this critical role within our state,” incoming Secretary Kevin Richard said. “I hope to continue to move the needle in the right direction. I also want to thank Governor Edwards for this opportunity and I look forward to working with him and our taxpayers on addressing the critical needs of our state.”
Original source can be found here.