With the impending exit of Ben Garner, the State Treasurer's office is ushering in a period of transition. Garner, who has served as general counsel for six years, will vacate his position by month's end for the private sector, leaving behind a record of consistent legal navigation for the state. Announced by State Treasurer Brad Briner, Tim Melton is stepping in as interim general counsel. “Ben has been a valued member of our senior staff. During his six years as general counsel, his steady-handed legal guidance has been exemplary. Ben’s professional judgment has been sound and trusted, and his dedication to public service unwavering. He will be missed,” Briner said, according to the Department of State Treasurer's press release.
Having held the role of assistant general counsel within the Retirement Systems Division for nearly five years, Tim Melton is no stranger to the department's intricacies. His duties have ranged from advising on retirement system law to handling the knotty tangles of complex litigation. When announcing the interim appointment, despite Briner being confident in his ability, Melton, who will remain on the sidelines for the permanent general counsel search not placing himself into consideration, vowed to step in and maintain continuity. "Tim has been a great asset to the department and an integral part of the legal team. We are confident he will fulfill his new, temporary responsibilities in seamless fashion," Briner said, as cited by the press release.
The Department of State Treasurer isn’t wasting time in seeking Garner’s successor. A national search to fill the crucial role of general counsel will be initiated within the following weeks. Treasurer Briner's office remains focused on recruiting the right fit for the general counsel position, a role central to the department's ability to navigate the legal challenges that lie ahead.
The transition comes at a time when the Treasurer's office is grappling with a slew of legal complexities, demanding a clear-eyed approach to understanding and applying laws that serve the public interest. As Melton assumes his interim position, the impact of Garner's tenure remains, marked by a record labeled by peers and subordinates alike as nothing short of exemplary. The search for a permanent replacement is not just about finding a legal mind but about capturing the same commitment to public service that Garner was known for, a notion reflected in Briner's expressions of confidence in the ongoing pursuit of excellence within the department.
