Personnel Moves Strengthen Commerce Team

Topeka, Kan. – Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced two personnel moves as part of the ongoing restructuring and rebuilding of the Kansas Department of Commerce.

To support the goal of strengthening Commerce’s Business and Community Development Division, Secretary Toland has promoted Alicia Janesko Hutchings into the role of Business Recruitment Manager. In her new capacity, Hutchings will oversee all business recruitment and international trade for the Department of Commerce. This position has been vacant at the Department for nearly four years.

Hutchings has been with the Department of Commerce for more than 11 years. In addition to her new responsibilities she will continue working recruitment projects in Texas.

Toland also announced that International Trade Representative Chang Lu will move into the role of South-Central States Business Recruitment Project Manager, based in Springfield, Missouri. Lu will focus on domestic business recruitment while assisting with international support.  Among other duties he will provide background to foreign dignitaries as part of their preparation for meetings with Governor Laura Kelly.

“Alicia and Lu are talented economic development professionals who provide a high level of service to our business and community partners, both statewide and around the world,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We want this Department to be a model for state-level economic development agencies nationally, and these moves reflect progress toward that goal.  I’m thankful to Alicia and Lu for their willingness to continue serving this agency, and our state as a whole, in these new capacities.”

These changes will go into effect on June 15.