Lt. Governor David Toland

David Toland is the 52nd Lieutenant Governor 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.

During his time as Secretary, Kansas has become a dominant force in economic development — twice garnering the most private sector investment per capita of any state in the nation — and breaking every previous record for capital investment and job creation in state history. Nearly $20 billion of business investment since 2019 has sparked a new era of economic development — which has been bolstered by workforce and community development successes that will keep the state on track for sustained growth for decades to come.

This new wave of economic momentum was spurred by a complete overhaul of the Department of Commerce led by Lt. Governor Toland. This included getting Kansas re-engaged internationally, with a strong presence re-established in Europe, Asia and Central America, and a new emphasis on growth in rural communities. In addition, the state has focused on improving quality of life — through historic new investments in infrastructure, broadband, housing, childcare, tourism, community vibrancy, recreation, workforce training programs and apprenticeships..

Toland also led the state’s successful recruitment of the largest economic development project in state history, the $4 billion, 4,000 job Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto that will open in January 2025.

Toland has extensive experience in urban and rural economic development, having worked at the local level in both Washington, D.C., and in his hometown of Iola in Allen County. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Kansas.