Rochelle Chronister, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS), today announced the appointment of Diane Duffy to the newly-created post of Chief Financial Officer for the agency.

Duffy, who previously was deputy commissioner in the agency's Administrative Services Commission, will head a new division, the SRS Finance Office, bringing together all budget, accounting and financial operations within SRS.

Chronister said consolidation of these functions under a chief financial officer helps fulfill one of her top goals for the agency -- moving away from operating as a group of separate commissions and toward operating as one agency.

"The financial expertise in SRS now is commission-focused and we need it to become agency-focused," Chronister said. "As chief financial officer, Diane will be instrumental in helping make this happen."

In her new position, Duffy will create and coordinate the agency's financial management plan and represent the agency on fiscal issues both within the agency and outside the agency. All commission and field staff with fiscal responsibilities are accountable to her.

Before coming to SRS in 1996, Duffy, 37, was Cash Management Specialist in the office of the Kansas State Treasurer, where she designed and administered a cash management program. She also has been a Senior Fiscal Analyst for the Legislative Research Department.

A Kansas Governor's Fellow in 1985/1986, Duffy received her law degree from the University of Kansas. She received her BA. in English and Political Science at the University of South Dakota.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001