David Toland

David C. Toland was born on May 27, 1977, and is a seventh-generation Kansan from Iola in Allen County. He currently serves as the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of Kansas and also holds the position of Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce, maintaining both roles concurrently.

Education

Toland holds both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

Political Experience

Current Positions:
Toland was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Governor Laura Kelly in January 2019 and was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor in January 2021, following the departure of Lynn Rogers who became Treasurer of Kansas.

Secretary of Commerce Accomplishments:
As Commerce Secretary, Toland has led significant economic development initiatives for Kansas, including:
- Directing a comprehensive overhaul of the state's economic development agency
- Rebuilding the state's in-state, domestic, and international business recruitment teams
- Launching the Office of Broadband Development
- Re-establishing the Kansas Main Street Program and Community Development division
- Designing and implementing the Kansas Framework for Growth economic development strategic plan
- Shepherding passage of the Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion Act Bill

Under his leadership, Kansas has twice garnered the most private sector investment per capita of any state in the nation, attracting more than $23 billion in business investment since 2019. Notably, Toland led the recruitment of the Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto, the largest economic development project in Kansas history, valued at $4 billion and projected to create 4,000 jobs.

Prior Experience:
Before joining the Commerce Department, Toland served as the first CEO of Thrive Allen County, a nonprofit organization focused on improving economic conditions, healthcare access, and quality of life in rural Allen County.

Political Party: Democratic