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
