Caleb Jones to Greitens' office

State Rep. Caleb Jones, R-Columbia, will join the Eric Greitens administration as deputy chief of staff after Greitens becomes governor next week.

"We're excited to have Caleb Jones join our team," Greitens said in a news release issued by the House Communications office. "He's a great conservative leader who will help us to take Missouri in a new direction."

House Speaker Todd Richardson added: "While we will miss Caleb's leadership as a member of the Missouri House, his deep understanding of policy, strategy and the legislative process will be of great service to the governor-elect and the people of our state."

Jones, 36, is a lawyer and has served in the Missouri House since 2011.

Under redistricting after the 2010 census, his district runs from California to southeastern Columbia, including northern Moniteau and southern Boone counties, and sections of Cole and Cooper counties as well.

Under term limits, the legislative session beginning Wednesday would have been his last two years in the House.

A native of California, Jones and his family now live between Ashland and Columbia in Boone County.