David Adkins
Fellow

David Adkins

Member Since 1969

Biography

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
Attorney Civil Litigation Lathrop & Gage LLC 2001 2004
State Senator Kansas Senate Kansas Legislature 2001 2005
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

Expertise

Primary Sector

State

Primary Functions

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