Growing up on an Audrain County farm, Marga Hoelscher never envisioned her life would take her where she is today.
As an outdoor girl, Hoelscher raised hogs and cattle. She sold steer at county fairs and used the money to help put her through college. At Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri), she earned a degree in business administration with a functional major in accounting. Hoelscher went on to the University of Missouri for her master's degree in public administration.
As a certified public accountant, she went on to work for the state, joining the Office of Administration in 1985 as an accounting analyst. Her work in Missouri government has spanned more than 30 years.
Next week, Hoelscher will wrap up her second legislative session as the Senate administrator. Not only is she the fourth person in the role in its 40-year history, but she's also the first woman to hold the position.
Before taking on the job, Hoelscher worked as the Senate chief financial officer and Missouri HealthNet CFO and deputy director. Previously, Hoelscher was in various positions with House and Senate Appropriations, once becoming the director of House Appropriations for seven years.
Her first job at the Capitol was in 1992, when she took on the position of budget analyst with Senate Appropriations.
"I think (working in state government) is about serving the people," Hoelscher said. "The other thing is that if you like to work in finance-related fields in Mid-Missouri, such as budgeting and accounting work, it's a very good opportunity. We have a $28 billion budget or thereabouts, and it's always challenging - it's always challenging to do that."
Hoelscher oversees Senate operations, collaborating with directors and Senate staff to ensure senators' and their staffs' needs are met. She also charges the hearing room schedule and use of Senate equipment. The Senate administrator fulfills Sunshine requests per the state's open records law. Hoelscher sits on the Capitol Commission. She reports to the Senate Administration Committee and enforces Senate policies it creates.
"Every day is different," she said. "I never know what's going to happen in a day."
This legislative session, Hoelscher and the IT team introduced a new Senate website.
The Senate also revamped its internship program. During the 2015 session (Hoelscher's first as Senate administrator), a representative and senator resigned from their positions after controversy over their relationships with interns.
Hoelscher said she saw it as an opportunity to take another look at the internship program and make it better.
"It's about helping them get to the next stages in their lives," she said.
Looking at key staff for senators today, Hoelscher said many were once interns. By improving the internship program, she said, the Senate will be a more appealing place to work after interns graduate.
