Current Kansas Business Climate and Economy

David Toland is the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of the State of Kansas.  He also serves as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. Toland was appointed to both positions by Governor Laura Kelly.

As Secretary of Commerce Toland has overseen sweeping changes within the state’s lead economic development agency. Under his leadership, the Department has rebuilt its in-state, domestic, and international business recruitment teams; launched the state’s Office of Broadband Development; re-established a Community Development division and the Kansas Main Street Program; and launched the state’s first new economic development strategic planning process since 1986.

Toland and his team have been at the forefront of Governor Kelly’s efforts to support the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, providing technical and financial assistance to thousands of small businesses. He also led negotiations on behalf of Governor Kelly that resulted in the end of the incentives “Border War” that raged between Kansas and Missouri for a decade.

Prior to joining the team at Commerce, Secretary Toland was the first CEO of Thrive Allen County, a nonprofit coalition that works to improve quality of life, healthcare and economic conditions in Allen County, Kansas.

He holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Kansas.  Toland and his wife, Beth, an Early Childhood Education Specialist at Allen Community College, were married in 2001 and have two children.