Kansas Senate Confirms Secretary of Administration, State Historical Society Executive Director Appointees

Governor Laura Kelly recently celebrated the Kansas Senate's bipartisan confirmation of Adam Proffitt as Secretary of the Department of Administration and Patrick Zollner as Executive Director of the Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS).

Since 2020, Proffitt has served as Budget Director, the chief financial advisor to the Governor. Every year, he constructs a budget that is both sustainable for the state of Kansas and reflects the Governor's policy priorities. He will continue to serve in dual roles as Budget Director and Secretary of Administration.

"Adam's dedication, attention to detail and guidance have been pivotal to my administration's efforts to bring fiscal responsibility back to the state," Governor Laura Kelly said. "I'm glad legislators from both sides of the aisle recognize that his experience and success as my Budget Director make him perfectly suited to lead the Department of Administration."

Before becoming Secretary of the Department of Administration and Budget Director, Proffitt served as Medicaid Director for the state of Kansas, managing the state's $3.8 billion Medicaid system. Before transitioning to public service, Proffitt spent 15 years in the private sector, where he held various roles in financial planning and forecasting. He is a lifelong Kansan and earned a degree in Economics from Washburn University.

"I am humbled for the opportunity that Governor Kelly has given me to lead the Department of Administration. It is a tremendous honor to serve the people of Kansas, and it is my goal to help make Kansas the best it can be," Proffitt said. "I want to thank the Kansas Senate for their confirmation, and I look forward to our continued partnership so that, together, we can deliver excellent customer service to all Kansans."

Patrick Zollner served as the Acting Executive Director of the KSHS from May to December 2022 following the passing of Executive Director Jennie Chinn in April 2022.

"Patrick is dedicated to the historic and cultural preservation of Kansas," Governor Kelly said. "His leadership will help propel that mission for future generations, so that the story of our great state lives on. Thank you to the Kansas Senate for confirming his appointment."

Zollner joined the Historical Society in February 2004 as an architectural historian serving as a coordinator for the National Register and Historic Survey.

An Arkansas native, Zollner graduated with a degree in history from the University of Arkansas. He previously worked at the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program as an architectural historian and National Register Coordinator from 1990 to 1998. He was Vice President of the Arkansas Historical Association from 1995 to 2003.

"Since 1875, the Kansas Historical Society has preserved our state's history, and I'm proud to be selected to lead this organization," Zollner said. "I look forward to this new role, helping to preserve our state's important historical and cultural resources and sharing our state's history with the people of Kansas."

(Information and photos courtesy Office of the Governor.)