Gov. Laura Kelly this afternoon appointed Kansas Commerce Secretary David C. Toland to lieutenant governor.
Toland replaces Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, who will be moving to the state treasurer position, replacing Jake LaTurner, who won election to a congressional seat in the 2nd District.
Toland, from Iola, Kansas, was president and CEO of the Thrive Allen County organization, which worked to improve health and economic development in the Iola area. He is a seventh-generation Kansas native.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kansas.
During the past few years, Toland has worked with Lt. Gov. Rogers on the Office of Rural Prosperity projects.
At a news conference Monday afternoon, Gov. Kelly said she didn’t have to go far to find the ideal person for the job. She said Toland will continue as secretary of commerce while also serving as lieutenant governor.
“Replacing Lynn Rogers is no small task, but of all the candidates I considered, David is ready to hit the ground running in his new role,” Gov. Kelly said. “I have been impressed throughout his tenure as commerce secretary by his enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to economic development and business recruitment. I look forward to our continued partnership as he takes on his new responsibilities in the lieutenant governor’s office.”
Gov. Kelly said Kansas is on track for a new high for capital investment in any one year, despite the challenges faced by the pandemic. She said more than 18 local business leaders have spoken out in support of Toland’s appointment.
“I’m deeply honored to serve Governor Kelly and the people of Kansas in this additional capacity as Lieutenant Governor, and to continue the important work launched by Lieutenant Governor Rogers with the Office of Rural Prosperity,” Commerce Secretary Toland said. “Jobs and economic growth have never been more important than now, and building on the tremendous gains of the economic development team at the Department of Commerce will continue to be my focus going forward. I’m grateful to be working alongside the ‘Economic Development Governor’ as we build on the state’s business development successes and accelerate the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Toland said, at the news conference, that the idea behind Thrive Allen County was that the key to turning around the economy and trajectory of any community was to focus first on qualify of life. Improving quality of life also has been a goal of his work at the commerce department, he said.
During the pandemic this year, the state has rolled out millions of dollars in zero-interest loans for the hospitality businesses, he said, and then went on to help other businesses with grants and loans.
He said the state has delivered more than $2.4 billion in new economic development projects this year, close to double that of 2019, and despite a global pandemic and recession.
The governor’s office released several statements of support for Toland’s appointment.
“Truly beneficial economic development can only be achieved when all parties involved are genuinely focused on people and progress. Secretary Toland was instrumental in making Kansas the perfect fit for URBN, ensuring not only that it will be our home for today but also setting the foundation that best positions us to succeed together for many years to come,” said Dave Ziel, chief development officer for Urban Outfitters, Inc., which has a development project in Wyandotte County. “Amidst the unprecedented challenges that obscure any clarity of what the future holds and a ‘new normal’ may one day be, Secretary Toland’s creativity and adaptability were on full display. The economic investment that continues to pour into the State during these times is testament to approach Secretary Toland has taken and has positioned Kansas to not only survive during these difficult times but to prosper in spite of them.”
“I applaud Governor Kelly’s decision to elevate Secretary David Toland to the role of Lt. Governor,” said former Kansas Gov. John Carlin. “The economic well-being of the state could not be more important right now, as we recover from unprecedented challenges and get our state back on the road to growth. As our new Lt. Governor, I have every confidence that David Toland will continue the progress he began as Commerce Secretary, where he has brought renewed energy and bold strategic direction to our state’s economic development efforts. I have no doubt that his leadership will continue delivering results for Kansans.”
“The KCK Chamber congratulates Secretary of Commerce, David Toland, on his appointment by Governor Laura Kelly to Lieutenant Governor of Kansas,” said Daniel Silva, president and CEO, KCK Chamber of Commerce. “The KCK Chamber looks forward to continuing to build upon an already strong relationship with Secretary Toland as he assumes expanded responsibilities and duties as Lt. Governor of Kansas. Secretary Toland’s collaborative and innovative approach has yielded partnerships for positive impact across Kansas, especially in Wyandotte County.”
“Our congratulations to now Lieutenant Governor of Kansas David Toland,” said Joe Reardon, president and CEO, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “We have the deepest regard for David Toland whose leadership was instrumental in securing the economic Border War truce between Kansas and Missouri. As Secretary of Commerce, he has worked to collaborate with the entire KC region in our efforts to grow the Kansas City area economy. We look forward to continuing to work with him as Kansas’ new Lieutenant Governor.”
Several other chamber and business leaders also praised the selection of Toland.
Kansas GOP Chairman Mike Kuckelman said in a news release, “The appointment of Lynn Rogers to replace a duly-elected Republican in the State Treasurer’s office and now the subsequent move to replace him with a liberal partisan such as David Toland shows Laura Kelly has no interest in working with Republicans to achieve meaningful solutions in Topeka. She’s simply interested in placating her far-left base.”
The news conference is online at https://www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly/videos/1065371527222409.