Jul 1, 2025
Kelsey currently serves as Special Assistant, providing strategic support for the Lt. Governor & Secretary of Commerce. Prior, Kelsey served as the Operations and Logistics Coordinator for two years within the Department of Commerce before being promoted. Kelsey holds a masters degree in Public Administration with a certificate in Economic…
Read MoreJul 1, 2025
" Bill Abston serves as the Executive Director of Kansas Office of Broadband Development. He will oversee the states broadband initiatives that are expanding high-speed internet access across Kansas. Abston has more than three decades experience working on large-scale infrastructure projects, including fiber optic network development and utility construction. Abston…
Read MoreJun 25, 2025
Romaine Redman serves as the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer for the Kansas Department of Commerce. He oversees the alignment of the Office of Innovations initiatives with the states broader economic goals, drawing upon his expertise and partnerships with key stakeholders to ensure the department plays a vital role in…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Jim Haugh joined Commerce in December of 2016 as the Chief Information Officer. Prior to Commerce, Haugh was a Cloud Services Architect for the State of Kansas. Haugh spent more than seven years at the Kansas Department of Transportation beginning as a System Software Analyst and leaving KDOT as the…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Leisa has been with Commerce since 2019 and oversees scheduling and administrative functions for Lt. Governor/Commerce Secretary Toland. Prior to joining Commerce, she held various administrative roles with prominent Topeka employers including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas and Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center. She also has several years of executive-level…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Ryan Wills is Deputy Chief of Staff at the Kansas Department of Commerce. Wills previously served as Special Assistant to Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce, Manager of Constituent Services and Hospitality Industry Liaison. He was also a project coordinator on the Back to Business Team where he helped with…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Curtis Young serves as Director of the Kansas state arts agency, the Kansas Arts 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 years with…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
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 MoreJun 24, 2025
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 states marketing to visitors, the publication of KANSAS! Magazine, the…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Mike Beene serves as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, overseeing Workforce Services, Human Resources, Building Services and Workforce AID for the Kansas Department of Commerce. Beene started with the agency in January 2007 as a Regional Director in Southeast Kansas (Workforce Services Division). His duties include oversight of all federal…
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