Oct 3, 2023
Laura Lombard is the Director of the International Division for the Department of Commerce. The mission of the International Division is to expand Kansas’ exports and attract foreign direct investment to the state. She was previously the President & CEO of Kansas Global Trade Services. Laura participated on the U.S.…
Read MoreSep 15, 2023
Tara Logan serves as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff within the Kansas Department of Commerce. She previously worked with the Kansas Main Street program before transitioning to the Office of the Secretary. Prior to her time with Commerce, she gained experience working at the Capitol as a…
Read MoreAug 29, 2023
Curtis Young serves as Director of the Kansas state arts agency, the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission. He leads a team dedicated to supporting, promoting and expanding the role arts and culture play in education, workforce development and community well-being in our state. Prior to joining Commerce, he spent nine…
Read MoreApr 19, 2023
Kelsey Haile serves as the Operations and Logistics Coordinator for the Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce. She received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Wichita State University and is currently earning her Masters of Public Administration. Kelsey has served in various economic development roles and interned with the…
Read MoreJan 31, 2023
Matt Godinez is the Director of Performance and Programming. In this role, Matt takes an organization-wide view to improve and streamline programs throughout the Department of Commerce, develop metrics to gauge the results of programming and engage with external stakeholders. He assists in continual development and monitoring of the department’s…
Read MoreJun 13, 2022
Jade Piros de Carvalho was appointed Director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) in June 2022. The mission of KOBD is to facilitate affordable and reliable high-speed internet service to every Kansan home and business. Prior to joining the Kansas Department of Commerce, Jade worked in advocacy for…
Read MoreJun 7, 2022
Patrick Lowry joined the Department of Commerce team in June 2022. He helps promote the best Kansas has to offer with the purpose of enticing new businesses into the state and retaining existing businesses. A long-time newspaper editor and publisher, Lowry also has led marketing/communications efforts at the Kansas Health…
Read MoreNov 15, 2021
Rachel Willis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washburn University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communications. She also received a master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus in non-profit leadership from the University of Kansas. Rachel has over a decade of experience in educational nonprofit…
Read MoreJun 10, 2021
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…
Read MoreJun 7, 2021
Trisha joined Commerce in 2021 as the Director of the Office of Rural Prosperity. Trisha previously held rural economic developer leadership roles in both city and county-levels for over a decade. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare, focusing on public policy, from the University of Kansas (KU). She…
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