The Kansas Senate confirmed Dodge City native and business entrepreneur Pat George as the state’s new Secretary of Commerce today. George was nominated in December 2010 by Gov. Sam Brownback. George will lead the state’s primary economic and workforce development organization in its mission to empower and bring prosperity to Kansans, businesses and communities.

“We have a tremendous opportunity in the coming years to make Kansas an engine of economic growth and bring more jobs to our state,” George said. “That’s the vision put forward by Governor Brownback, and I’m ready to get to work at the Commerce Department to achieve that goal.”

George brings a wealth of business and public service experience to the Department. He spent 25 years starting and building numerous successful business ventures in southwest Kansas, from his family’s automobile dealership to real estate development to a professional sports team. In public service, George represented the 119th District in the Kansas House of Representatives for six years, and served in various capacities, including as chairman of the Committee on State Employee Pay Plans and vice-chairman of the Vision 2010 Committee.

“I can think of no one more capable of leading the Commerce Department than Pat George,” Brownback said. “His experience in building and leading successful businesses, coupled with his service in the Legislature, made him a natural fit to lead the Department moving forward.”

George is a graduate of Dodge City High School and Benedictine College in Atchison. He and his wife, Lori, have three children, twins Thomas and Anna, 15; and Maris, 12.