Leawood Businessman Named Kansas Commerce Secretary

Gov. Sam Brownback has named a Leawood businessman as the state’s secretary of commerce.

Brownback’s office said in a release Friday that George Hansen has been named secretary of commerce, replacing Pat George, who retired last month.

Hansen’s appointment requires confirmation by the Kansas Senate.

The release says Hansen has more than 35 years of experience managing businesses and was most recently president and CEO of a venture development organization.