The state Department of Finance & Administration on Friday named Robert Brech as Arkansas’ new budget director.
Brech has been general counsel for the Arkansas Public School Resource Center since 2018. Before that, he spent four years as chief financial officer for Department of Health, 14 years as the department’s deputy general counsel and four years as general counsel.
“The State Budget Director must understand the unique needs of each Department, working closely with Department leaders, legislators, the Governor’s Office and others to build a budget that meets these needs,” DFA Secretary Larry Walther said. “Robert brings a thorough understanding of state government to the position of Budget Director. Due to his years in leadership with Department of Health and experience overseeing a significant budget, he has the ability to immediately lead DFA’s Budget team.”
Brech, a licensed attorney who attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law, begins work May 24. He takes over for Jake Bleed, who was budget director since April 2019 and is now director of the state’s Employee Benefits Division.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Brech “understands the Budget Division’s key role in the day to day operation of state government, and he is up to the task.”
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