Press Releases

 

Quarles names Delaney-Ellis to head KDA's budget office; Britton selected as executive assistant

 

For Immediate Release
Thursday, January 14, 2016
For more information contact:
Angela Blank
(502) 573-0450

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles has announced two appointments, Kem Delaney-Ellis of Shelbyville as executive director of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Office of Strategic Planning and Administration (OSPA) and Susan Britton of Georgetown as the Commissioner’s Office executive assistant and scheduler.

“We are extremely excited to add Kem and Susan to our team,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Their wealth of knowledge of state government will be invaluable to the Department of Agriculture.”

Delaney-Ellis began her career in state government in 2009 for the Department of Education, working for the Division of Financial Management. As an educational financial analyst, she performed reviews of school districts' financial audits, approved bond sales, and assisted school districts with financial management issues. She then accepted a position as research analyst with the Legislative Research Commission. Kem went on to serve as the budget director for the Kentucky House Republicans, where she provided financial analysis on the State/Executive Branch Budget.

Delaney-Ellis has a bachelor's degree in Business Management. She has a proven track record working for the General Assembly and private sector, and has successfully dealt with very tough spending plans over the last several years. Kem was raised on her family's farm in Barren County, where she assisted in growing crops and raising livestock.

"I look forward to bringing my leadership qualities to the Department of Agriculture, where I will use them to effectively manage the OSPA and build the consensus we need to move Commissioner Quarles’ agenda forward,” Delaney-Ellis said. “It's an honor and privilege for me to join the team at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture."

Britton previously worked as the executive assistant and scheduler for former Attorney General Jack Conway and long-time executive assistant to former Gov. Brereton Jones.

"I am looking forward to working with constituents and helping Commissioner Quarles build a process that is responsive, proactive, and maximizes his ability to visit with people throughout Kentucky,” Britton said.