Eric L. Sexton

Eric L. Sexton serves as a governmental affairs consultant to Foulston Siefkin’s Governmental Affairs & Public Policy practice group. The group provides legislative monitoring and lobbying services for Foulston’s governmental affairs and public policy 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 governmental affairs leader who spent 18 years on Wichita State University’s governmental relations team, most recently as executive director of governmental relations. During his tenure in that role, WSU ranked 15th in the country for earning directed federal appropriations for important programs. Sexton also served as WSU’s director of athletics, overseeing the rise of WSU’s 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. 

With Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration (MPA) degrees from Wichita State University, Sexton earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Kansas. Sexton is not licensed to practice law.

Active in his community, Sexton currently 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’s 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.

Education

• University of Kansas (PhD in Political Science, 2002)
  Areas of Concentration: Public Policy and Public Administration
• Wichita State University (MPA, 1992)
• Wichita State University (B.B.A. in Management, 1987)

• Governmental Affairs & Public Policy Law
• Renewable Energy, Electric Storage & Transmission

• State Law Resources, Vice chair, Midwest region
• Alumni Award for Outstanding Public Service, Wichita State University Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs, 2015
• Athletic Director of the Year, National Association of Directors of Athletics, 2013-2014
• Young Alumni Award, WSU Alumni Association, 2003
• U.S. Presidential appointment to Commission for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, 2002-2003
• Wichita Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award, 2000
• National Security Forum, U.S. Department of Defense, June 1999
• Leadership Wichita, 1995

• Elizabeth H. King, Eric L. Sexton, and James J. Rhatigan. Perspectives on Fundraising. New Directions for Higher Education, No. 149, Spring 2010. pp. 65-71.
• Burdett Loomis and Eric Sexton. “Choosing to Advertise: How Interests Decide.” in Allan J. Cigler and Burdett A. Loomis, eds. Interest Group Politics, 4th ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press. 1994.

• Friends of Cedar Crest Association, 2022-present
• Derby Community Foundation, Board of Directors, 2021-present
• Prairie Dunes Country Club, Board of Trustees, 2021-present; membership committee, 2018-present 
• Wesley Medical Center Board of Trustees, 2015-present
• Kansas Golf Association, Board of Directors, 2016-2019
• United Way of the Plains Campaign Cabinet, 2015-2016; Board of Directors 2005-2008
• NCAA D-I Golf Championships Committee, 2013-2016; Chair 2015-2016
• Native Sons and Daughters Board Co-Chair, 2015
• Visit Wichita, Board of Directors, 2012-2016
• Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Board of Directors, 2010
• Kansas Golf Foundation, Board of Directors, 2008-2010
• Founding member, Real Men, Real Heroes, 2006-2010
• Fundamental Learning Center, Board of Directors, 2006-2009
• Wichita Community Foundation, Board of Directors, 2005-2008
• Kansas Learning Center for Health, Board of Trustees, 2001-2004
• Sedgwick County Zoo, Board of Trustees, 2000-2005