Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek has announced that Barry County Treasurer Gretta Tripp has endorsed his candidacy for the full term as State Treasurer.
The Republican primary election will be held on Tuesday.
“I am truly honored to have the support and endorsement of the Barry County Treasurer Gretta Tripp in the upcoming election,” Malek said. “I am very grateful for her willingness to be part of the Malek for Missouri effort.”
“I have had the opportunity to meet and visit with Vivek numerous times since his appointment as State Treasurer by Governor Mike Parson,” Tripp said. “It has been a privilege to work with him and be part of the effort to return unclaimed property to rightful owners.”
Malek has worked closely with county treasurers to promote the return of unclaimed property held by the state. During his tenure in office, Malek has returned record amounts of unclaimed property or money to citizens. He currently manages over $1 billion in unclaimed assets in more than 10 million accounts.
One in 10 Missourians has unclaimed property, and the average return is nearly $300. Most recent information indicates that the value of unclaimed property in Barry County totals approximately $3.5 million.
Malek was sworn in as Missouri’s 48th State Treasurer on January 17, 2023, the latest chapter in his inspiring American story. Born in Rohtak, India, he earned a bachelors and law degree in India before coming to Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau for a master of business administration (MBA) degree.
Arriving in Missouri on August 11, 2001, after the first plane trip of his life, he had two suitcases and $300 in his pocket. He was immediately welcomed into the community, and Vivek fell in love with Missouri.
Malek earned his MBA from SEMO and later received a Master of Law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He decided to make Missouri his home and became a first-generation American.
Prior to his appointment as state treasurer, Malek served on the Board of Governors of SEMO.
“I am blessed to have truly lived the American Dream,” Malek said. ‘I owe so much to America and Missouri and want to give back.
“America is a place of limitless possibilities where you can achieve anything. This is the American Dream.”
