TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George plans to step down in July to become the CEO of a nonprofit group that provides alcohol and substance abuse treatment in seven states. Governor Sam Brownback announced Wednesday that George is resigning. George has led the Department of Commerce since Brownback took office in January 2011. The governor's office said George will become president and CEO of the Valley Hope Association. It has five treatment centers in Kansas and others in Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Brownback said George turned the Department of Commerce into a world-class operation. George is the second member of Brownback's Cabinet to announce plans to step down within two months. Secretary of Administration Jim Clark announced in May that he'd also be leaving next month.
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