David Adkins

David Adkins serves as Executive Director CEO of the Council of State Governments headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 1933, CSG is a regionally-based, non-partisan forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help all three branches of state government officials shape public policy. CSG’s 220 professional staff and programs offer all 50 states unmatched regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.
Prior to joining CSG, David served as Vice Chancellor for External Affairs at The University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City where he led advancement and outreach efforts.

He also previously served as the founding executive director of the Community Foundation of Johnson County, Kansas and as a partner in a Kansas City-based law firm. In 1992 the Kansas Bar Association recognized David with its Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.

Beginning in 1992, David was elected to four terms in the Kansas House of Representatives and then to one term in the Kansas Senate. During his twelve years of legislative service he chaired committees on appropriations, taxation and reapportionment. He was also appointed by Kansas Governor Bill Graves to chair the Kansas Youth Authority. In 1996 David served as chair of the eleven-state Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments and was named a Toll Fellow by CSG in 1993.

David earned degrees in political science and law from the University of Kansas where he served as student body president and was the first KU student selected to receive a Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The Truman Scholarship Foundation presented David with its highest award for distinguished public service in 2002.
David is a member of the Board of Trustees of William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.
David and his wife, Lisa, are the proud parents of a daughter, Nell.