15-20 years

Developed and facilitated a coalition of aviation industry leaders with a local university to get the State of Kansas to support the first direct appropriate to specifically support the research and innovation needs of those companies. In addition to major initiatives like this example, successful in working with both Republicans and Democrats to further the goals of clients.

Eric has achieved success by developing key contacts and maintaining relationships and maintaining relationships with policymakers in a bipartisan way and across the legislative and executive branches of state government. This philosophy continues to carry the most credibility and achieve results in government affairs.

Eric L. Sexton, PhD, serves as a governmental affairs consultant with Foulston Siefkin's Governmental Affairs & Public Policy practice group. The group provides legislative monitoring and lobbying services for Foulston's clients as well as publishing the weekly Kansas Legislative Insights newsletter during the session. Sexton is a contributing author for Kansas Legislative Insights and spends most of his time in Topeka during the legislative session, building on his strong relationships at the local, state, and federal level.

Sexton is an experienced government affairs leader who spent 18 years on Wichita State University's government relations team, mostly as executive director of government relations. During his tenure in that role, WSU ranked 15th in the country for earning directed federal appropriations for important programs. Sexton then served as WSU's director of athletics, overseeing the rise of the men's basketball program to its highest levels of national prominence to date while also operating the athletics program profitably. Sexton's thorough understanding of legislative processes, funding, and the people involved combine to make him an effective and well-informed advocate for clients whose businesses or industries are affected by local, state, or federal regulations, administrative agencies, or elected officials.

Sexton earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Kansas after his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Wichita State University.

Active in his community, Sexton serves on the Wesley Medical Center Board of Trustees, the Derby Community Foundation, and was a founding member of Real Men, Real Heroes. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Sexton to the President Commission for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Sexton is an avid golfer who competes in amateur events at the regional and national level. He also enjoys hunting quail and pheasant as well as Kansas staycations with his wife, Kathy Sexton.

11-15 years

In addition to the items mentioned in the bio, the years spent in the Kansas Legislature formed friendships and professional relationships with legislators of both parties, their leaders, Governors of both parties, and our Congressional delegation. Those relationships continue. In addition, the years spent at the Kansas Chamber formed lasting relationships with the legislators endorsed and supported as pro-business advocates. Being a past Speaker of the House has benefited me with developing relationships with newly elected legislators I didn't serve with. The heads of several of our state agencies and departments are former legislative colleagues of mine and friends.

Legal Background
*JD, University of Kansas School of Law - 1976
*2-Yr. internship with the Office of Legislative Counsel
*Partner, Reynolds, Peirce, Forker, Suter & O'Neal, Hutchinson, KS - 1979-1984
*Hutchinson Community College Instructor - 1976-1984
*Shareholder, Gilliland & Hayes, P.A., Hutchinson, KS - 1984-2012
*Of Counsel, Gilliland & Hayes, LLC - 2012-2016
*Extensive trial experience in areas of insurance defense and professional liability; handled 100's of workers compensation cases for employers
*Recently completed successful settlement against the State which restored over $3M in fees swept from fee funds by the Legislature and Adminstration
*Currently provide legal services to clients with issues before the Legislature, licensing agencies, regulatory agencies and Boards
*40 Hours of certified mediation training
*Served on the Board of Governors of the KU Law Society
*As attorney/legislator, appeared in Fed. Court both in 2002 and 2012 to defend legislative redistricting maps


Legislative Background
*Elected to Kansas House of Representatives - 1984 - Hutchinson/Reno County
*Served in Kansas House of Representatives - 1985 - 2012
*Served 2 years as V.C. of House Judiciary Committee
*Served 2 years as Ranking Republican of House Judiciary Committee
*Served 16 years as Chairman of the House of Judiciary Committee
*Served 2 years as Chairman of the House Education Committee
*Served as V.C. of the Select Committee on School Finance
*Served 2 years each as Chairman of the House Redistricting Committee during the 2002 and 2012 Legislative and Congressional redistricting
*Served twice as Chairman of House Committee on Contested Elections
*Served twice as Chairman of House Select Investigative Committee
*Other committee assignments included Public Heath, Commerce & Industry, Education Budget and Legislative Budget
*Elected as Minority Whip when Republicans were in the minority and the Majority Whip
*Elected as Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives - 2009-2012
*Served in alternating years with the Senate President as Chairman of the Legislative Coordinating Council and was a member of the State Finance Council
*Executive Committee member, National Speakers' Conference
*Executive Committee member, Council of State Governments
*Kansas Judicial Council member for 16 years
*Commissioner, Uniform Law Commission for 16 years
*Past Member, Kansas Commission on Judicial Performance
*Past Member, Kansas Sentencing Commission
*Past Board member, KTEC
*Past Member Commission on School Efficiency
*Past member Kansas Travel & Tourism Commission


Governmental Relations and Association Management Background
*Hired as President & CEO of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry - 2012-2016
*Development and execution of annual Kansas Chamber Legislative Agenda
*Extensive lobbying of Legislative members and Administration
*Legal, legislative, and political analysis, member engagement research, public appearances and media interviews
*Upon retirement from the Kansas Chamber, formed O'Neal Consulting LLC in Dec. 2016 to represent individual clients with legislative and legal issues related to the Legislature and State government

6-10 years

Gavin's engaging personality, dogged determination, and sincere interest in people have enabled him to develop meaningful relationships with legislators, support staff, other lobbyists, and government officials. These are the traits you want in a political affairs consultant.

Born and raised in Colwich, a rural Kansas community, he always knew he wanted to work for the betterment of his state and country. His political engagement began at age fourteen when he volunteered for two city council campaigns in nearby Wichita. Many campaigns later and after receiving a degree from Pittsburg State University, interning with Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, and working for the Hein Law Firm, Gavin established his own political affairs business.

His clients respect him for his tireless dedication to their issues and value his reputation as an honest, likable, committed, and savvy political consultant.

These are the traits you want in a political affairs consultant and are what make Kreidler Consulting the best choice for your legislative interests.