Jun 24, 2025
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 bachelors degree in Social Welfare, focusing on public policy, from the University of Kansas (KU). She…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Joshua Jefferson serves as the Deputy Secretary of Business Development for the Kansas Department of Commerce, where he leads statewide efforts to attract, retain and expand businesses while advancing strategic economic initiatives that promote long-term prosperity. He oversees a high-performing division focused on driving private-sector capital investment, creating quality jobs…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
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 MoreJun 24, 2025
Rachel Willis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washburn University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communications. She also received a masters 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 24, 2025
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 masters degree in Advanced European and International Studies from Centre International de Formation Européenne. Prior to beginning work at the Department of…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
David Toland is the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of the State 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. As Secretary of Commerce Toland…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Matthew Godinez serves as the Assistant Secretary of Quality Places for the Kansas Department of Commerce. He is responsible for providing oversight, management and direction to divisions that include Kansas Main Street, Community Development Block Grants, Housing, The Office of Rural Prosperity, and The Office of Broadband Development. His work…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
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…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Sherry Rentfro joined Commerce in June of 2014 as Fiscal Analyst and became the Chief Fiscal Officer in February 2018. Prior to Commerce, she worked for over 10 years managing the accounting and finances of a non-profit association that serves the telecommunications industry in Kansas. She earned a BBA in…
Read MoreJun 24, 2025
Kayla Savage is Director of Community Engagement at the Kansas Department of Commerce. She provides engagement on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce and Lieutenant Governor with communities across Kansas for various Commerce initiatives. She also represents the Secretary on various Boards and Commissions, including the Kansas Water Authority, Kansas…
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