Former IDEM leader to lead Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources

Carol Comer, former commissioner of Indiana's Department of Environmental Management, has been chosen to lead Missouri's Department of Natural Resources by Missouri Gov. Eric Greiten.

Comer will be the newest addition to Greitens' Cabinet. She spent 18 months as IDEM commissioner under former Gov. Mike Pence, who will be sworn in as U.S. vice president Friday.

A video posted Wednesday to Greitens' Facebook and Twitter accounts showed thim standing by Comer in front of the Missouri River. Comer touted her success in partnering Indiana's environmental department with economic organizations to promote business and investment.

"I'm looking forward to doing the same thing here in Missouri so that we can protect the air and the land and the water quality, but still encourage economic growth," she said on the video.

Comer's appointment comes the day after Greitens' State of the State address, in which he encouraged lawmakers to reduce "burdensome regulations" that he says hinder business growth in the state.

Under Comer's watch, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management reduced the amount of time it took for businesses to get certain permits, according to a news release. She also oversaw a project to restore the Grand Calumet River.

Greitens said Comer will be a "champion both for the environment and the economy."

Comer also has worked as general counsel and chief of staff for Indiana's environmental department and an administrative law judge at the Indiana Board of Tax Review.

Former IDEM Chief of Staff Bruno Pigott succeeded Comer on Jan. 9 after being appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb.