Katie Patterson has broad experience in the state including a decorated career in leadership positions with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) as well as success as a sole practitioner of a specialized lobbying practice in Topeka. Ka􀆟e served 18 years with the KBI, quickly rising from civilian support staff to sworn service and eventually became a valued member of the executive leadership team. The first woman promoted to the rank of KBI Special Agent in Charge, she was appointed by the Director to serve as the Executive Officer. During her tenure, Katie managed the Office of Government Affairs for the Bureau and was the principal advisor to the Director and Executive Staff for legislative affairs. Katie later put her public policy experience with KBI to work for clients as she opened an independent lobbying practice in 2020 and successfully operated the business until joining HB Strategies. In the ten years she has worked in the statehouse, as both a government official and an independent consultant, she has successfully advocated for the appropriation of nearly $80 million in state and federal funding for public health and public safety issues related to her clients. Katie earned a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Washburn University in Topeka. She later earned a Kansas Law Enforcement certification from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in Hutchinson, Kansas. Katie is also a certified public manager, earning her credential from the University of Kansas Public Management Center. Katie is a lifelong Kansan and lives in the Topeka area with her husband and two daughters.