Karen J. Rehfeld, Director
On January 5, 2007, Governor Sarah Palin appointed Karen Rehfeld as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Prior to appointment to OMB, Karen Rehfeld was the Deputy Commissioner of Education and Early Development since June 2003. As Deputy Commissioner, she was involved in every policy and administrative area for which the department is responsible. She was also in a key role working with the Legislature and the State Board of Education and Early Development in budget, legislative, regulatory, and other activities.

Before becoming Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Rehfeld was the department’s Administrative Services Director and worked as a fiscal analyst in the Legislature.

She was also an administrator for a public accounting firm and a private consultant to the Offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and various departments of state government.

Ms. Rehfeld served as a special assistant to Governor Hammond and as the Executive Director for the Reapportionment Board for the 1981 reapportionment plan for state election districts.

Ms. Rehfeld holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Idaho, Moscow. She and her husband, Bob, have three daughters.


Mission Statement
To ensure the State’s resources are invested in a way that produces results which
advance the Governor’s priorities.


Services

Prepares annual capital and operating budget, training materials, guidelines, and budget submission timetables for executive branch agencies

Serves as staff to the Governor and Chief of Staff during the budget review process

Coordinates development of the Governor's budget and general appropriations budget bill and prepares the final submission for duplication and distribution

Reviews and approves proposed changes to agencies' plans to implement the budget appropriations

Oversees and administers the Automated Budget System

Produces the Governor's budget