David Adkins

MEMBER SINCE: 2022

David Adkins serves as the ninth executive director of The Council of State Governments, a nonpartisan organization of America’s state and territorial governments. Founded in 1993, CSG engages, informs, inspires and empowers state officials to help them advance the common good. From CSG National Headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, Adkins leads a growing team of nearly 250 employees and oversees a budget with revenues in excess of $45 million. David, an attorney, served twelve years as a member of the Kansas House and Senate and was named a CSG Henry Toll Fellow. Prior to joining CSG, Adkins practiced law, was the founding executive director of a community foundation and served as vice chancellor at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Adkins earned degrees in political science and law from the University of Kansas where he was elected student body president and was the first KU student named a Harry S. Truman Scholar. Adkins is currently a member of the board of visitors at the University of Kentucky Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, an elected member of the board of trustees of the Kentucky Retirement System and a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

History of Employment

Position

Division

Organization

Start

End

Executive Director/CEO

The Council of State Governments

2008

Present

Trustee

Kentucky Retirement Systems

Kentucky Public Pensions Authority

Present

Vice Chancellor

External Affairs

University of Kansas Medical Center

2004

2008

State Senator

Kansas Senate

Kansas Legislature

2001

2005

Attorney

Civil Litigation

Lathrop & Gage LLC

2001

2004

Founding Executive Director

The Community Foundation of Johnson County, Kansas

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

1998

2001

State Representative

Kansas House of Representatives

Kansas Legislature

1993

2001

Attorney/Partner

Civil Litigation

Bennett, Lytle, Wetzler, Winn & Martin

1986

1998

Primary Policy Areas

Board Governance, Budget and Finance, Civic Engagement, Criminal Justice/Justice, Government Operations/Innovation, Intergovernmental System/Federalism, Intergovernmental Affairs and Coordination, Nonprofit/Philanthropy, Pensions, Taxes

Primary Sector of Expertise

State

Primary Functions

Academic Administration, Advocacy, Budgeting and Finance, Communications and Marketing, Grants Management, Intergovernmental, Nonprofit / NGO leadership, State Government, Strategic Planning

Academy Studies

The Impact of State Preemption on the Health Equity & Economic Security of Communities of Color in the Kansas City Metro Area (In Progress)