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For Immediate Release:         
January 20, 2023
          
Contact:         
Cassie Nichols
[email protected]

Governor Kelly Announces Staff Changes: Ethan Belshe, Josh McGinn, and Melissa King Promoted to Director Positions

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Kelly announced that Ethan Belshe will now serve the Kelly Administration as Senior Advisor for Federal and State Affairs, Josh McGinn will serve as Director of Policy, and Melissa King will serve as Director of Appointments. All three step into the new titles after working for the Kelly Administration in numerous roles over the past four years.

“I appreciate all of the hard work from Josh, Ethan, and Melissa over the past four years,” said Governor Kelly. “I look forward to working with them in their new capacities during my second term.”

Ethan Belshe started working for the Kelly Administration in 2019 as a Legislative Liaison. Since then, he has also served as the Manager of Government Relations for the Kansas Department for Children and Families, and most recently, the Director of Public Affairs for the Office of Recovery.  Belshe received his Bachelor of Political Science and his Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

As Senior Advisor for Federal and State Affairs, Belshe will work with external stakeholders to advance the Governor’s priorities, guide the Government Affairs team’s strategy, and provide guidance on federal and state issues.

“I’m excited to be continuing my service to Governor Kelly and the people of Kansas in this new role,” Belshe said. “I look forward to working with the Legislature and other stakeholders to advance the Governor’s agenda and find common-sense solutions for Kansans.”

Josh McGinn joined the Kelly Administration in 2019 as a Policy Analyst for the Office of Rural Prosperity under the Lieutenant Governor. Most recently, he served as a Senior Policy Analyst and Deputy Director for Budget and Policy. Before joining the administration, McGinn was a lobbyist and Legislative Coordinator working with a variety of lobbying firms. He received his Bachelor of English from Kansas State University.

As Director of Policy, McGinn will manage policy and the legislative team to support the administration’s budget and policy priorities, coordinate with agencies and the Division of Budget to respond to legislators and stakeholders, and advise on state budget and policy issues.

“I appreciate the opportunity to support the Kelly Administration as it continues its track record of restoring Kansas’s fiscal strength through bipartisan efforts to cut the food sales tax and ensure that all Kansans have quality opportunities to live and work in the state,” McGinn said.

Governor Kelly also announced today that Melissa King will serve the Governor’s Office as the new Director of Appointments. King was previously the Appointments Manager for the office, and looks forward to taking on her new role as director. King graduated from Washburn University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Political Science and Mass Media.

“It’s an honor to serve the administration in this role. I’m excited to continue  connecting qualified Kansans to serve on state boards and commissions,” King said.

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