Missouri Supreme Court hires Lloyd as new state courts administrator

Kathy Lloyd ends her position as 13th Circuit Court's administrator Jan. 1

The Supreme Court of Missouri selected Kathy S. Lloyd from the 13th Judicial Circuit - which serves Boone and Callaway Counties - to serve as Missouri's new state courts administrator starting Jan. 1. The state court administrator position reports to the clerk of the Supreme Court for the state and leads a staff of about 220 people who work to support the work of state courts throughout Missouri.

Lloyd has worked in the 13th Circuit in various roles since 1986. She spent a couple of those years working with the University of Missouri doing evaluations of drug courts across the state. The positions she held within the 13th Circuit include 11 years in the juvenile system, some time as a self-employed mediator, coordinator of the drug court program and assistant court administrator. She has served as the 13th Circuit Court's administrator since 2004.

During her more than 25 years in the 13th Circuit, Lloyd said Boone and Callaway counties have been supportive of local courts. She described the counties as innovative and "on the front edge." She said the 13th Circuit got involved with alternative sentencing courts early on in their existence.

"It's a lot the programs and services that we're able to provide and the impact that those have that I think makes me most proud," Lloyd said.

She said she was reminded of that when she attended a drug court graduation in Fulton a couple months ago.

"I was again impressed with the difference those programs make in people's lives," Lloyd said.

Lloyd said she has enjoyed her time in the 13th Circuit. This new position, she said, was an opportunity for her to go to the next level.

"(This allows me) to look at a broader perspective of our state courts and how they impact the lives of our citizens and the opportunity to contribute from another perspective," Lloyd said.

Missouri's former state courts administrator resigned in June to become clerk of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Gary Waint has been filling the role as interim state courts administrator since then. Waint previously served as interim state courts administrator in 2007 and 2008. He retired as deputy state courts administrator in 2012. When Lloyd steps into the position in January, Waint will again retire.

Lloyd said her time in the 13th Circuit taught her what she needs to know for her new role as state courts administrator.

"I hope to take that experience of knowing the operations of the court and needs of the local court to the state-wide level," Lloyd said. "The job that I will have starting in January will be more of an administrative look on a broad spectrum of the courts in the state of Missouri."

She will continue to serve in her current role in the 13th Circuit until Dec. 31.