TOPEKA — Gov. Sam Brownback has picked Secretary of Administration Dennis Taylor to be the new executive director of the Kansas Lottery.

The Republican governor announced the appointment Friday. Taylor will replace Dennis Wilson, who resigned Dec. 3 from the lottery for health reasons.

Taylor has served as administration secretary for two years, overseeing state purchasing, upkeep of state office buildings and computer and phone services for state agencies. Brownback also put him in charge of a new office of state repealer, which sought to remove outdated and burdensome laws and regulations.

Brownback is expected to name an acting secretary of administration in the coming days.