TOPEKA – Brad Loveless was confirmed by the Senate today as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Governor Laura Kelly appointed Loveless in January 2019.

“Secretary Loveless is an experienced, respected leader of conservation and environmental programs in Kansas,” said Gov. Kelly. “I look forward to working with him to foster responsible stewardship of our natural resources and promote the state’s fantastic travel destinations and outdoor recreation opportunities.”

“I am grateful to Governor Kelly for the chance to lead an organization that I greatly respect and have worked with for many years,” said Secretary Loveless. “I have had the pleasure of getting to know many previous secretaries as well as the biologists, land managers and administrative staff. They’re great people and I look forward to working with them to serve this wonderful state.”

Loveless joined the department after a 34-year career with Westar Energy where he was most recently the senior director of Environmental Conservation and Sustainability. Prior to that position, he was director of biology and conservation programs and earlier held environmental man-agement positions at Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation. 

He also served as a leader of Westar’s Green Team, an active volunteer group of employees and retirees that helps with habitat improvement, environmental access and education, and enhancement of sensitive species. A fisheries biologist by training, he is an avid angler, hunter and beekeeper.