The president of AT&T Kansas is Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ choice to become the state’s next secretary of commerce.

David D. Kerr, who also serves as chairman of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, now awaits Senate confirmation as Sebelius’ appointment to replace Howard Fricke, who announced his retirement at the end of last year.

“David has great experience in business, in the community and as chairman of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce,” Sebelius said in a statement. “That experience will be valuable as he carries out his new mission of building partnerships with businesses to help them create jobs and prosperity in our state. He’ll be a great voice for Kansas around the nation and around the world.”

The Department of Commerce, with an annual budget of more than $100 million, promotes the state in a variety of areas, from sales of agricultural products to recruiting businesses, fostering international trade and attracting visitors. The department also provides work force training.

As president of AT&T Kansas, Kerr oversees a company with 850,000 access lines and 2,640 employees in the state, including those working at a relay center in Lawrence for hearing-impaired phone users. AT&T also provides wireless service, after the company’s acquisition of Cingular Wireless in December.

AT&T, based in San Antonio plans to expand into providing video services through a statewide franchise agreement the company secured in July, after Kerr helped push changes to telecommunications rules and regulations through the Kansas Legislature.

State senators will be expected to vote on Kerr’s confirmation as commerce secretary later this month.

“I now look forward to new professional experiences and new challenges in the world of public affairs,” Kerr said in announcing his retirement, effective March 30.

Added John Montford, who serves as senior vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs in the company’s western region: “Our loss is Kansas’ gain.”

Kerr started work in 1979 for Southwestern Bell, which later was renamed SBC.

Kerr became president of SBC-Kansas in 2003 and continued to lead the organization after its 2005 merger with AT&T by serving as president of AT&T Kansas.

He became chairman of the state chamber last year, and is a regional commander of the Kansas Cavalry, a statewide business organization.