The head of the state agency that represents consumers in utility cases is leaving his post effective Dec. 20.

Walker Hendrix, a Lawrence resident, will go to work as an attorney for Kansas Gas Service, which provides natural gas to customers in Wichita, Kansas City, Kan., and Topeka. Its main corporate office is in Overland Park.

Hendrix announced his resignation from the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board late Wednesday afternoon.

Since 1995, Hendrix has been consumer counsel with CURB, a state agency that advocates for consumers in cases coming before the Kansas Corporation Commission.

In that job, he has been on the front lines in battling Westar Energy over rate and restructuring issues.

Hendrix said he was leaving state government because mounting budget problems were having an effect on salaries and benefits.

He also said this was an opportune time to leave: State government is making the transition from the Bill Graves administration to that of Gov.-elect Kathleen Sebelius.

From 1991 to 1995, prior to joining CURB, Hendrix represented Ottawa, northern Franklin County and southern Douglas County as a Republican in the Kansas House of Representatives.