TOPEKA — Michael Randol has been named the director of program finance and informatics for the Division of Health Care Finance at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The division oversees state Medicaid finances.

Randol joined the agency May 17. In the position — previously held by Scott Brunner — Randol will oversee 32 employees and report to division director Kari Bruffett.

Before joining KDHE, he managed Veterans Services at the Kansas Department of Commerce, a federally funded program that helps veterans find and keep jobs.

Randol's background is in accounting management, including nine years at US Bank in Rose Hill, two years at Koch Industries in Wichita, and three years as Missouri's deputy budget director. He also has served in the United States Air Force, according to KDHE officials.

Randol said he holds a masters degree in business administration from William Woods University in Missouri. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Excelsior College, which he said was called the University of the State of New York when he completed the distance learning degree while in the military.

The Springfield, Mo. native lives in Topeka with his wife. He has two grown children and six grandchildren.