03 January 2006

Governor names Overland Park man to Lottery Commission

Kansas Lottery products are sold at nearly 1,900 retail locations across Kansas.

Overseeing the lottery is the mission of the Kansas Lottery Commission, to which Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed Robert Van Cleave.

“The Kansas Lottery continues to increase in popularly because of its innovative games, and by playing, Kansans are supporting job creation in our state through the economic development initiatives the lottery funds,” said Sebelius.

The Kansas Lottery Commission works with the lottery’s executive director to establish policy and approve major contracts, rules and regulations for lottery games and promotions. The commission also approves the lottery’s annual budget. Subject to Senate confirmation, Van Cleave will fulfill an unexpired four-year term.

Van Cleave, Overland Park, has thirty-five years of legal experience and is currently an attorney in private practice. Between 1972 and 1991, he was a partner with McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips P.A. In 1991, he became counsel at Gates & Clyde, Chtd., before leaving in 1997.

A member of the Kansas and Johnson County Bar Association, Van Cleave serves on the Kansas Bar Association Ethics Grievance Panel. He is also a member of the Kansas Bar Association Fee Dispute Committee and Johnson County Bar Fee Dispute Committee.

Van Cleave received his law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1970. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in 1966.

Van Cleave replaces Carole Gates, Olathe, who resigned in October.