Sam Williams named next Kansas revenue secretary by Brownback

Wichita businessman Sam Williams will be the next secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue, pending confirmation by the Senate.

Williams will replace Nick Jordan, who will now lead the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council.

“Sam Williams is well qualified and well suited to lead the Department of Revenue,” Gov. Sam Brownback said in a statement announcing the pick Monday. “With a wealth of knowledge from the private sector, his experience in business and management will equip him to serve in this position.”

Williams, 65, is a retired chief financial officer with Sullivan, Higdon and Sink, a Wichita advertising firm. He is a past chairman of the Wichita Area Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation. After retiring in 2014, Williams ran unsuccessfully for Wichita mayor last year.

As revenue secretary, Williams will preside over a department responsible for the collection of taxes. The department also oversees Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Williams was appointed by Brownback to chair a task force that recommended in October that the state no longer make monthly revenue estimates.

The reports sent out by the the department each month currently compare the state’s tax receipts against both the previous year and the estimates. The state has repeatedly missed estimates this year on its way to a $348 million budget shortfall. Revenue exceeded the November estimate after that estimate was lowered.

Williams also chaired a state K-12 Student Performance and Efficiency Commission in 2014.

Rep. John Whitmer, R-Wichita, called the appointment an excellent choice, saying Williams has a long background in business and accounting.

“He’s very open and very approachable,” Whitmer said. “I got to know him a little bit on the mayoral campaign. … I think he’ll be very open to new ideas.”

Senate President Susan Wagle said in a statement that Williams’ business background “and recent work heading up the Consensus Revenue Estimating Workgroup task force make him an ideal pick for this position. He will be a fantastic Secretary and the Department of Revenue will benefit greatly with his leadership.”

Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, the newly elected House minority leader, said he’s “excited a Wichita guy’s getting an opportunity in a challenging time, but I am going to keep an eye, because we have to keep that very transparent.”

Ward said he’s concerned by some of the task force’s recommendations, such as eliminating the monthly reports that compare revenue against estimates.

“It’s important to the people of Kansas (that) they know what’s happening with their money,” Ward said.

Williams could not be reached for comment Monday. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the people of Kansas,” he said in the statement.

He will join the revenue department on Dec. 12. The appointment will require Senate confirmation.

Jordan, who is moving to the economic advisory council, has been revenue secretary since 2011.

“Nick brings years of proven leadership both in the private and public sector to his new position as head of the Economic Advisory Council,” Brownback said.

Jordan will also move to his new role in the Kansas Department of Commerce on Dec. 12.

The council was created by Brownback in 2011, his first year as governor, as a “board of directors” for the state’s economic development.

The council, which reports directly to Brownback, includes a chairperson and between seven and 20 appointees of the governor.

This story was originally published December 5, 2016 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Sam Williams named next Kansas revenue secretary by Brownback."