A Centene lawyer was named interim director of community engagement for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office.
Top prosecutor Gabe Gore appointed Keith Williamson last month.
Williamson has served as the Chief Charitable Giving Officer of Centene Corporation and President of the Centene Foundation since 2020.
Previously, he worked as Centene's general counsel for 13 years.
Williamson is working in the new position without pay.
“There are times in your life when you put community above all else,” Williamson told NBC News. “This is one of those times, and it's a real credit to Gabe that so many experienced people are stepping up to help. There are many relationships and bridges that must be rebuilt in St. Louis: clergy, community members, crime victims, safety advocates, and the police. I am more than ready to get to work.”
Missouri Lawyers Media reported that in the position Williamson is charged with repairing the prosecutor’s relationship with the community, re-establishing trust, and helping in the search for a permanent replacement.
"I think when it comes to community engagement, the engagement that we really need is politicians engaging with what laws are going to make things better," said Paul Berry, a Republican politician who campaigned to represent Missouri's 2nd Congressional district last year. "I don't think naming any one person is going to change anything in St. Louis. The true change will come in the policies and not the people.”
As previously reported in the St. Louis Record, Republican Gov. Mike Parson appointed Gore after Kimberly M. Gardner resigned.
Gardner announced her resignation after an assistant prosecutor, James Heitman, 32, from her office was killed in a car accident.
At the time of her resignation, the deck had been stacked against Gardner who was facing a criminal contempt of court hearing and quo warranto legal proceedings aimed at removing her from office by court order.
Missouri Supreme Court Justice Robin Ransom administered the oath of office to Gore on May 30.
Gore, a Democrat, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Missouri State University in 1991. He was taught law by former President Barack Obama when he was a student at the University of Chicago School of Law.
“Keith’s ability to listen and build trust is second to none,” Gore said in a statement. “When I asked if he would do this, he didn’t hesitate for a moment. That speaks volumes to what people like Keith are willing to do to help their community.”