Gov. Matt Blunt has tapped Columbia resident Omar Davis, 32, as the new director of the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Davis

Davis will replace acting Director Julie Allen, who took over the post on an interim basis in November when the previous director, Trish Vincent, left to become Blunt’s chief of staff.

Davis leaves the job of director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations after only four months but returns to an office where he has experience. The University of Missouri School of Law alum previously served as the revenue department’s general legal counsel.

"I am truly honored by Governor Blunt’s decision to name me Director of the Department of Revenue. I sincerely appreciate his confidence in my ability to take on such an important role in his administration," said Davis in a written statement sent out by the governor’s office. "I am looking forward to continuing to answer the governor’s call to improve customer service and create a more efficient, responsive and fiscally responsible state government for the people of Missouri."

Davis takes over a department that oversaw $12.6 billion in taxes administered last year and is responsible for licensing and registering all of Missouri’s motor vehicles.

Todd Smith, 48, of Sedalia, deputy director of the labor and industrial relations department, will take Davis’ spot as director.

Wanda Seeney, spokeswoman for the labor and industrial relations department, said she doesn’t expect the leadership shakeup to cause problems.

"Omar has a history of employment at revenue, so it should be smooth transition," she said. "We see it as a win-win. Both departments are gaining heads of our departments that have some prior history and work experience at each place, so that’s a huge benefit."

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