McPherson Businessman Tapped To Head KDOT

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has named a third generation construction industry leader to head the Kansas Department of Transportation. McPherson businessman Mike King has more than 30 years of private sector experience in transportation and energy construction.

“KDOT plays an important role in growing our state’s economy, overseeing the infrastructure that businesses depend upon to get their products to market,” Governor Brownback said. “As KDOT Secretary, Mike will bring a fresh perspective. He understands the meaning of hard work and has had the blisters to prove it. Mike’s hands-on experience and construction knowledge will be instrumental as we work to maintain our nationally recognized highways and implement T-WORKS.”

King grew up in Hesston where his first construction jobs had him building bridges and pouring concrete street pavement for his uncle’s construction company. After earning a degree in building construction, King worked ten years for a national construction company building, estimating and managing projects throughout the southern states.

The opportunity to purchase his family’s construction business, King Enterprise Group, brought him back to Kansas in 1991. Under his leadership, the company grew from a small McPherson-area concrete contractor to a premier central Kansas contractor in the oil/gas and industrial marketplace.

“This position allows me the opportunity to serve my state and the people that make Kansas a great place to live and do business,” King said. “My experience in the construction industry and as a business owner provides me with the knowledge and understanding that I believe can be beneficial to KDOT in the improvement and expansion of the state’s infrastructure. I am excited to work with lawmakers, other state agencies, and the current employees to achieve the goals set forth by Governor Brownback through his Roadmap for Kansas.”

Brownback also reiterated the administration’s commitment to fully implementing T-WORKS and keeping his pledge not to raid transportation funding to balance the state’s budget.

“Completing T-WORKS will provide safety enhancements, improve commute times, and make the kind of infrastructure improvements that will help spur economic growth and create jobs,” Brownback said.

King’s appointment requires confirmation by the Kansas Senate.