Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Thursday named a career FBI official to be the next superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

William Seck, 52, has been the senior supervisory agent for the FBI in Wichita since 1996, making him responsible for all bureau operations in Kansas.

Seck has worked for the FBI since 1972, and the governor said Seck’s experience with the bureau would be valuable in his new role.

“That’s a different job than it probably was 10 years ago, but that’s the world of today,” Sebelius said of the superintendent’s position.

Sebelius said she chose Seck partly because the patrol’s role had expanded to include responsibilities for homeland security since Sept. 11, 2001.

“Frankly, it isn’t executed in Washington. It’s executed in states,” Sebelius said during a news conference.

Starting in his new job on July 8, Seck will replace Col. Don Brownlee, who retired last week. Brownlee will become the chief enforcement agent in August for the state Racing and Gaming Commission.

Seck’s salary is $81,000 a year. His appointment will be subject to Senate confirmation.

Created in 1937, the patrol has a $58 million budget and 880 employees, including 475 troopers.

The new patrol chief joked about how he last wore a uniform regularly as an Eagle Scout. As an FBI agent, Seck wears suits, but as patrol superintendent, he plans to adopt the traditional blue colonel’s uniform.

“I think that’s very important,” he told reporters. “If you’re going to lead the organization, then you need to look the part and dress the part and act the part.”