The face of Missouri’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis – Dr. Randall Williams – resigned on Tuesday, according to Gov. Mike Parson’s office.Parson said he accepted Williams’ resignation. Parson said he appointed Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Knodell as the Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. No reason was given why Williams resigned.Parson’s office said Knodell has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Parson since 2017. Over the past year, he has played an integral part in the state’s COVID-19 response efforts and taken a leading role in vaccine rollout and distribution in Missouri. “As Deputy Chief of Staff, Robert brings valuable knowledge and leadership experience to our team and the entire state of Missouri,” Parson said. “For more than a year, he has also played a leading role in Missouri’s COVID-19 response efforts, and I am more than confident in him to take over as Acting Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.”Parson said Dr. Williams “has been a huge asset to Missouri, especially this past year in dealing with COVID-19.” “We greatly appreciate all the work he has done for the people of our state and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Parson said.