Executive Leadership

Chief of Staff for Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of Commerce David Toland

Works earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, majoring in Food Science and Industry with a minor in Business Administration. She also received a master’s degree in Advanced European and International Studies from Centre International de Formation Européenne. Prior to beginning work at the Department of Commerce, Works was an Agribusiness Development Coordinator at the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Deputy Secretary of Business Development

Joshua Jefferson serves as the Deputy Secretary of Business Development for the Kansas Department of Commerce, where he oversees business attraction, retention, expansion, and strategic economic initiatives across the state. Jefferson leads a high-performing division focused on driving private sector capital investment, job creation, and fostering a business-friendly environment. His leadership spans diverse sectors, including aviation, advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics and distribution, positioning Kansas as a hub for innovation and growth.

With over 17 years of experience in economic development, commercial real estate, aviation management, and workforce development, Jefferson has established himself as a transformative leader. Notably, he played a pivotal role in attracting major aerospace projects to the Greater Phoenix Metro area, including Gulfstream Aerospace’s West Coast Service Center and Virgin Galactic’s Delta Class Spacecraft manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona. These projects significantly contributed to the region’s economic vitality and reinforced its status as an aerospace industry leader.

Jefferson’s expertise in workforce development, site selection, and strategic planning has made him a trusted advisor to businesses, government leaders, and community organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Real Estate Planning from Arizona State University and has been recognized for his contributions to economic development through numerous awards and accolades. His dedication to cultivating long-term economic prosperity continues to make a lasting impact on Kansas and beyond.

Director of Tourism

Bridgette Jobe is the Director of the Kansas Tourism Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce where she leads a dedicated staff of tourism professionals whose mission is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas. As Director, she oversees the state’s marketing to visitors, the publication of KANSAS! Magazine, the Kansas Agritourism program, and the Kansas Byways program. 

Bridgette joined Kansas Tourism in 2019.  Previously, she spent over twenty-one years with the Kansas City Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau. She is a past president of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas and served as chairman of the Kansas Governor’s Council on Travel and Tourism.  Bridgette is a life-long Kansan and an Original Dotte. 

Chief Counsel

Bob North serves as Chief Counsel for the Kansas Department of Commerce. Bob is responsible for Commerce operations and has served as Chief Counsel for Commerce since 2004. He has extensive experience in public financing, bond-funded economic development programs and other economic development incentives. Prior to joining Commerce, he was in private practice.

Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of Commerce

David Toland is the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of Kansas and also serves as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. A seventh-generation Kansan, Toland was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Governor Laura Kelly in January 2019 and Lieutenant Governor in January 2021.

During his time as Secretary, Kansas has become a dominant force in economic development — twice garnering the most private sector investment per capita of any state in the nation — and breaking every previous record for capital investment and job creation in state history. More than $23 billion of business investment since 2019 has sparked a new era of economic development — which has been bolstered by workforce and community development successes that will keep the state on track for sustained growth for decades to come.

This new wave of economic momentum was spurred by a complete overhaul of the Department of Commerce led by Lt. Governor Toland. This included getting Kansas re-engaged internationally, with a strong presence re-established in Europe, Asia and Central America, and a new emphasis on growth in rural communities. In addition, the state has focused on improving quality of life — through historic new investments in infrastructure, broadband, housing, childcare, tourism, community vibrancy, recreation, workforce training programs and apprenticeships.

Toland also led the state’s successful recruitment of the largest economic development project in state history, the $4 billion, 4,000 job Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto.

Toland has extensive experience in urban and rural economic development, having worked at the local level in both Washington, D.C., and in his hometown of Iola in Allen County. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Kansas.