Lee Modesitt is leaving the insurance commissioner’s office as director of government relations and public affairs later this month.
In a letter that went out this afternoon, Modesitt announced his decision to leave for a job working as a trust officer and wealth adviser with The Trust Company in Manhattan.
His last day is June 17.
“As cliché as it sounds. I started in public service with a sincere and earnest desire to help others improve their lives and build better futures,” he said in a letter.
“Together we worked with the Legislature to make small improvements in areas most Kansans will never be aware of but I believe we did good things.
“In my view public policy can be a help or a hindrance to helping people reach their full potential, but I have also learned through this process that my heart is really in meeting people where they are and helping them navigate their day-to-day opportunities and challenges,” he said.
He said his new role with The Trust Company will help him fulfill his “desire to serve others in a more personal way.”
Before joining the insurance commissioner’s office in 2019, Modesitt had spent five years working for former Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.
He worked as Jenkins’ district director, communications director and campaign manager.
He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kansas State and a master’s degree in public policy analysis from Liberty University.
“Lee has been an instrumental part of the department’s legislative success the past four legislative sessions,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said in a statement.
“I’m grateful for his service to the people of Kansas and I am honored to have had him as a part of my team. I wish him well in this new chapter of his career.”
