Governor Kim Reynolds says more than 30 people applied to be the new leader of the Iowa Department of Human Services — and a Texan “rose to the top.” November 1st will be Kelly Kennedy Garcia’s first day as Iowa D-H-S director. She’s worked in the Texas Health and Human Services Commission since 2013 and is currently a top deputy in the agency.

Garcia must win a confirmation vote in the Iowa Senate next year to keep the job. Reynolds has approved a one-time, 50-thousand dollar signing bonus for Garcia. Garcia’s state salary will be about 154-thousand dollars — roughly 40-thousand LESS than her Texas salary.