Image courtesy office of Gov. Laura Kelly/Image: Gov. Kelly at signing of HB2045 in April 2025
Governor Laura Kelly has appointed an interagency transition team and a transition director to lead the implementation of House Bill 2045, which merges early childhood services and programs into the new Kansas Office of Early Childhood. Signed into law in April, the bill is considered the most significant early childhood education and care measure in Kansas in 15 years.
Zach Vincent, Governor Kelly’s Director of Governmental Affairs—Education Policy, will also serve as transition director, overseeing the transfer of programs and managing the interagency team. Serving in the administration since 2021, Vincent has led education policy and legislative efforts, including the multi-year collaboration with lawmakers that resulted in HB 2045. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington University in St. Louis.
“I’m honored to continue my service in the Kelly administration and to the people of Kansas as the Office of Early Childhood transition director,” said Zach Vincent. “I am confident that the Office will build on our administration’s efforts to increase access to high-quality, affordable early childhood services while also ensuring greater government efficiency and a streamlined system for Kansas families, providers, and businesses.”
The transition team will include leaders from eight state agencies, with cabinet officials and program staff working together to meet statutory requirements for consolidating services under the Office of Early Childhood.
Members of the transition team include:
| Agency | First Name | Last Name | Position |
| Governor’s Office | Zach | Vincent | Office of Early Childhood Transition Director; Director of Governmental Affairs—Education Policy |
| Governor’s Office | Kate | Davis | Deputy Chief of Staff for Cabinet Affairs |
| Kansas Department of Administration | Adam | Proffitt | Secretary and Director of Budget |
| Kansas Department of Administration | Samir | Arif | Chief of Staff |
| Kansas Department of Administration | Lynette | Bakker | Attorney |
| Kansas Division of Budget | Jen | Ordiway | Budget Analyst |
| Kansas Office of Information Technology Services | Jeff | Maxon | Chief Information Technology Officer |
| Kansas Department for Children and Families | Laura | Howard | Secretary |
| Kansas Department for Children and Families | Carla | Whiteside-Hicks | Economic and Employment Services Director |
| Kansas Department for Children and Families | Daniel | Lewien | Deputy Secretary |
| Kansas Department of Health and Environment | Janet | Stanek | Secretary |
| Kansas Department of Health and Environment | Ashley | Goss | Deputy Secretary |
| Kansas Department of Health and Environment | Derik | Flerlage | Bureau Director |
| Kansas Department of Health and Environment | Amy | Penrod | Director |
| Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund | Melissa | Rooker | Director |
| Kansas Department of Education | Amanda | Petersen | Director of Early Childhood |
| Kansas Department of Education | John | Hess | Director of Fiscal Services and Operations |
