“My goal is to hire the best professionals possible to serve the people of Kansas . The individuals I have chosen to lead the state's top law enforcement office are highly qualified, respected and will make Kansas a safer place to live, work and raise a family,” said Morrison.
Doug Farmer , formerly of the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, will serve as Chief of Staff. Farmer has been the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of KDHE since 2003, managing over 1000 employees in one of the state's largest agencies. Previously, he also served as Assistant Secretary at the Kansas Department on Aging and the Senior Budget Analyst in the Kansas Division of the Budget.
Rick Guinn will serve as Chief Counsel to the Attorney General and the Deputy of the Criminal Division. Guinn has served the people of Kansas as an Assistant District Attorney in Johnson County since 1981 and First Assistant to the District Attorney since 1989. He has personally prosecuted over 100 jury trials, locking up dangerous criminals and keeping Kansas communities safe.
Michael Leitch will serve as the Deputy of the Civil Litigation Division. Leitch was a newly elected Partner with Spencer Fane Britt & Brown LLP in Kansas City . He is a well-respected civil attorney who is charged with professionalizing the division and refocusing it on the priorities of Kansans.
Linda Sheppard, of the Kansas Insurance Department, will serve as the Deputy of the Consumer Protection Division. Sheppard has served as Assistant General Counsel to the Kansas Insurance Commissioner since 1999. Previously, she was an Associate with Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, P.C. in Kansas City . She will be responsible for re-focusing the Consumer Protection Division on aggressively protecting Kansas consumers who are victims of fraud and unscrupulous business practices.
Julene Miller will remain the Deputy of the Legal Opinions & Government Counsel Division. Miller has served Kansans professionally for over 20 years, beginning under Attorney General Bob Stephan. She has remained dedicated to the best interests of Kansans throughout four different administrations.
Rex Beasley will remain the Deputy of the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Division. Beasley has served in the Kansas Attorney General's Office since 1998 and has been Deputy of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse since 2003. Under his leadership, the Medicaid Division has increased prosecutions, restitutions ordered and recoveries substantially. Beasley also serves as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.
Ashley Anstaett will serve as the Director of Communications. Prior to joining the Attorney General's Office, Anstaett served as the Press Secretary for the Morrison for Attorney General Campaign and Communications Director for the Office of the Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley.