Department of Commerce returns to fully staffing its business recruitment team

Topeka, Kan. – Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the addition of Jeff Freeman to the department’s business recruitment team. With this move, the Kansas Department of Commerce business recruitment team is fully staffed for the first time since 2015.

“For too many years, the Department of Commerce and other state agencies have been severely understaffed, making it difficult for them to do the work necessary on behalf of the people of Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I made a commitment to rebuild Commerce, and I’m proud to announce that we now have a fully staffed team dedicated to bringing new businesses to our state.”

Freeman will serve as the business recruitment project manager for the Great Lakes region. His focus will be on recruiting businesses from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. A passionate advocate for economic growth, Freeman’s career has been devoted to economic development in both the public and private sectors.

Prior to joining the Kansas Department of Commerce, Freeman spent 13 years with Honeywell International, where he spearheaded structural reforms to their government relations strategy and managed internal and external relationships related to incentive acquisition and utilization. He also worked as a business development manager in the state of Florida, focusing on business attraction, retention and economic expansion for Pinellas County.

“The business recruitment team at Commerce essentially acts as the state’s sales force, recruiting companies to locate in Kansas and driving employment and capital investment into our state,” Secretary Toland said. “I’m thrilled that we were able to bring Jeff on board and that our state once again has a fully staffed business recruitment team.”

For more information on business recruitment in Kansas, visit the Kansas Commerce website.