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Media iconPress Release

SECRETARY-ELECT SCHWAB ANNOUNCES SENIOR STAFF

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

TOPEKA – Secretary of State-elect Scott Schwab today announced the names of his senior staff for when he assumes office on January 14.

“I have worked diligently to build a team of experienced and dedicated leaders to oversee the divisions within the Secretary of State’s Office,” said Schwab. “We are committed to working together to ensure the responsibilities of the office are carried out in an efficient and responsive manner.”

Senior Staff:

  • Catherine Gunsalus will serve as Assistant Secretary of State, Chief of Staff. Gunsalus previously served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the House Speaker Pro Tempore and was Campaign Manager for Schwab for Secretary of State. Gunsalus is a graduate of the University of Kansas and has over seven years’ experience in public policy, government and international relations.
  • Katie Koupal will serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Communications and Policy. She brings over 15 years of experience in political communications and public policy to the Office of Secretary of State. Koupal was previously the Area Manager of External Affairs for AT&T and held numerous staff positions with the Kansas Legislature. Koupal is a graduate of the University of Kansas and Friends University.
  • Jennifer Cook will serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Business Services. Cook currently serves as Deputy Bank Commissioner for Consumer and Mortgage Lending at the Office of the State Bank Commissioner and previously worked for Senator Pat Roberts and former Governor Bill Graves. Cook earned a BA in Political Science and Communications from Washburn University and a Master’s Degree in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Kansas.
  • Sandy Tompkins will serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Administration. She has over twenty years of experience in office administration. Thompkins previously worked as Office Administrator and Executive Assistant to the President of Heritage Christian Academy in Olathe. She attended Southwest Baptist University.
  • Clay Barker will serve as Deputy General Counsel. Barker is the Special Assistant to Governor Jeff Colyer and previously served as Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party. Barker has over 20 years of legal experience and is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Schwab is also pleased to announce the retention of Bryan Caskey as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Elections and Garrett Roe as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, General Counsel.

Scott Schwab grew up in Great Bend and graduated from Fort Hays State University. In November 2018, Schwab was elected to serve as Kansas Secretary of State. Schwab previously served in the Kansas House of Representatives as Chairman of the House Elections Committee, Chairman of the House Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee and as House Speaker Pro Tempore. He resides in Olathe with his wife, Michele, and their children.

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