Fred Patton
Tuesday, November 11 | 5:30 p.m. | Townsite Tower Ballroom
Guest Speaker: Fred C. Patton
Topic: Leading Through Law and Public Service
Fred C. Patton is a longtime Kansas public servant who represented the 50th District in the Kansas House of Representatives from January 2015 until October 2023. During his tenure, he chaired both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Rules and Journal Committee, while also serving on the House Capitol Preservation, Corrections & Juvenile Justice, and Redistricting Committees. Over the years, Fred led the Joint Special Committee on the Kansas Emergency Management Act, chaired the House K-12 Budget Committee, and served as vice chair of both the House Judiciary and Joint Special Committee on Judiciary.
In addition to his legislative service, Fred has been deeply involved in local education. First elected to the Seaman USD 345 Board of Education in 2003, he served five terms as board president and also served as president of the Kansas Association of School Boards from 2010 to 2012.
Fred and his wife, Kim, a library media specialist at North Fairview Elementary School, have been married since 1997. They have three children—Zachary (25), Andrew (23), and Emily (18)—and reside in Topeka, Kansas.
About the Presentation
From the school board to the Kansas Statehouse, Fred Patton has built a career centered on leadership, education, and governance. In this presentation, he’ll share insights from nearly two decades in public service—reflecting on lessons learned while navigating complex challenges in both education and state government. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how policy, law, and leadership intersect—and what it truly means to serve a community with vision and commitment.
Special Invitation
This month’s meeting will include a special gathering of SME Topeka’s Past Presidents, who will meet immediately before dinner at Townsite 16. We’re excited to welcome them back and honor their continued impact and leadership within SME Topeka.
