Pat George, Secretary of Commerce

A true Kansas entrepreneur, Pat George has spent more than 25 years starting and building numerous successful business ventures in Southwest Kansas.  His business experiences range from his family’s automobile dealership to real estate developments to professional sports. Sec. George is Chairman of the Valley Hope Association Board of Directors and President of the Dodge City Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Nick Jordan, Secretary of Revenue

Former state Sen. Nick Jordan brings an extensive list of business and public service experiences to his role as Secretary of Revenue.  Jordan became known as a “go-to guy” for economic development and taxation legislation during his 13 years in the Kansas Senate.  He played a significant role in writing and implementing key economic growth and tax policies, including co-authoring the Kansas Economic Growth Act that created the Kansas Bioscience Authority and the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship.  As a successful business owner, Jordan knows firsthand the impact tax policy made by the Legislature and Governor has on Kansas businesses.

Dale Rodman, Secretary of Agriculture

Dale Rodman has nearly fifty years of agribusiness experience that includes national and international agriculture business development and management experience.  After graduating from Kansas State University in 1963 with an agricultural degree in feed milling, Rodman worked for Cargill, Inc. a total of 37 years in various management positions in Kansas, across the country and around the world.  He also served as president of Tramco, Inc, a family-owned manufacturer of heavy duty dry bulk conveying systems in Wichita, Kansas.  Since his retirement in 2002 from Cargill, Rodman has stayed active in agriculture with the management of two farms in Southeast Kansas and working as an agriculture business consultant.  In all, he has lived and worked in more than 30 countries.  

Maj. Gen. (KS) Lee Tafanelli, Kansas Adjutant General, Director of Kansas Homeland Security and Director of Emergency Management 

Maj. Gen. (KS) Lee Tafanelli has served in the Kanas Army National Guard (KSARNG) for more than 30 years in numerous command and staff assignments, including deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a battalion commander.  He also has been directly involved in the Guard's emergency response to natural disasters.  As the adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Tafanelli oversees the activities of the Adjutant General’s Department. This includes providing personnel administration and training guidance for over 7,700 soldiers and airmen in the Kansas Army and Air National Guard. As the director of Kansas Emergency Management, a division of the Department, he is guiding a small professional core of personnel that prepare for and respond to disasters. In addition to the part-time soldiers and airmen, the Department he leads includes about 2,300 full-time State and Federal employees. Additionally, 105 county emergency managers and their staff receive guidance and training through the Department. Major General Tafanelli is also the Director of Homeland Security for Kansas, where he works to ensure security in the state is a top priority. For budgetary and administrative purposes, he is responsible for the Civil Air Patrol.

Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Garcia, Ret.-, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol

A native of Garden City and former Sr. Assistant to the City Manager of Wichita, retired Lt. Colonel Ernie Garcia has dedicated his life to the service of his fellow Kansans and countrymen.  He served 35 years in the United States Marines in active duty and reserve roles - including deployments in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and CJTF-Haiti.  As Sergeant at Arms for the U.S. Senate, Garcia worked as the senate's chief law enforcement officier, managed overall security for Senate offices and supervised and provided training to 900 U.S. Capitol police officers.  He also collaborated closely with the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, FBI, CIA and Secret Service.  Recognizing his dedication to our country and strong leadership experience, Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Regan and U.S. Senator Bob Dole each selected him to serve in their administrations or on staff.

Lana Gordon, Secretary of Labor

As a former small business owner, Lana Gordon knows firsthand about the challenges and rewards of running a business.  Prior to joining the Brownback Administration,  Secretary Gordon represented the 52nd Kansas House District for 12 years.  In the Kansas House, she chaired the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and House Education Budget Committee.
 

 Dr. Robert Moser, Secretary of Health and Environment

Dr. Moser spent nine years in private practice before joining the Greeley County Health Services where he served as Medical Chief of Staff and Medical Director.  He has served on numerous committees including the Kansas Primary Care Collaborative Coordinating Committee, the Kansas Legislative Physician Workforce and Accreditation Task Force and the Kansas Rural Commission. 

Robin Jennison, Secretary of Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism

Robin Jennison brings more than 22 years of experience of serving in the Kansas Legislature, influencing state policy on behalf of Kansas interests, and promoting the state’s natural assets to expand outdoor recreations. Elected to represent the 117th House District, Robin quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Assistant Majority leader in his second term, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in his third term; before becoming House Majority Leader in his fourth term and then finally, Speaker of the House. As president of Jennison Government Services he has represented businesses, associations, groups and other entities before the state legislature and regulatory agencies of Kansas. Robin is a well-respected and knowledgeable hunter who anchored the Kansas Outdoors Radio Show for four years and assisted Governor-Elect Sam Brownback with the development of the Governor’s Pheasant Hunt. He has been a partner in the Jennison Ranch located near Healy for more than 33 years.

Shawn Sullivan, Secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Shawn Sullivan is a visible and committed force in the local and national senior living industry. During his 18 years of retirement community service, Shawn has strived to change how seniors live out their golden years in nursing homes. The Kansas Department of Aging has recognized his efforts three times for instituting nontraditional models of care with the agency’s “Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes” Award. He is the only executive director to receive the PEAK award at three different facilities. Prior to joining the Brownback Administration, Shawn served as the executive director at the Kansas Masonic Home in Wichita. Under his leadership, the facility benefitted from physical upgrades, technology investment and a service focused approach and – most importantly – enhancing services for residents. 

Raymond Roberts, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections  

Raymond Roberts has a reputation of getting things done effectively and efficiently and working well with correctional stakeholders.  Roberts has managed a variety of correctional facilities, inmate populations and programs during his 35 years of correctional experience.  He began his career at the Mississippi State Penitentiary as a corrections officer in 1975.  Since then he has served as a correctional counselor, staff development coordinator, deputy warden, director of faith-based ministry, warden of 5 correctional facilities and deputy secretary of facility management.  He partnered with two non-profit organizations at the Ellsworth and El Dorado Correctional Facilities to raise funds and construct spiritual life centers at little or no cost to Kansas taxpayers.

Phyllis Gilmore, Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families

Gilmore is the former Kansas City Metro Region Director for Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS).  Prior to joining SRS, she served as the executive director of the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB), based in Topeka, for more than 11 years. The BSRB licenses and regulates most of the mental health professionals in Kansas. She served as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from 1994-2000 representing Johnson County. Her private sector experience is primarily within the areas of adoption and health care. Gilmore is a licensed specialist in clinical social work with a master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis.