Leadership Kansas

TOPEKA — On Friday, the 39 members of the 2014 Leadership Kansas Class celebrated the completion of the 2014 program at a reception and dinner hosted by the Kansas Chamber and the Leadership Kansas Board of Trustees at the Topeka Country Club. Throughout the course of the six-month program, the 2014 class engaged in discussions and debates with top experts on the key issues facing Kansas while visiting Hays, the Kansas City Metro area, Garden City, Manhattan, Wichita and Topeka.

Among the graduates was Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller IV. Brad Cowan, Goodland, was the other northwest Kansas representative in the class of 2014.

Leadership Kansas is a nationally recognized program that aims to develop and motivate future leaders in the state. An affiliated program of the Kansas Chamber, Leadership Kansas is one of the oldest and most prestigious statewide leadership programs in the country. Leadership Kansas is celebrating its 36th year of educating and motivating leaders from all four corners of the state. The program remains committed to its original mission to inspire persons to maintain involvement in the social, business and political fabric of Kansas communities.

“The 39 graduates of the program now have a broader view and appreciation of our state, are more energized to shoulder leadership responsibilities in their communities and careers and have a much better understanding of statewide business, political and social issues” said Kansas Chamber President and CEO Mike O’Neal (Class of ’85).

Each year, close to 600 people are nominated to apply for the program. Upon the conclusion of a thorough and thoughtful application and selection process, 40 individuals are selected to participate in the class. Leadership Kansas makes every effort to ensure geographic, racial, occupational, and gender diversity so that each class is truly representative of the state. The class of 2014 was approved by the Leadership Kansas Board of Trustees, chaired by Steve Johnson (Class of ’98). John Federico (Class of ’97) serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Kansas.

Class of 2014 graduates:

Jeffrey (Jeff) Beasley, Topeka
Kirby Brown, Fort Leavenworth
Denice Bruce, Wichita
Amy Burns, Topeka
Brad Cowan, Goodland
Virginia Crossland-Macha, Iola
Jennifer Cunningham, Garden City
Michelle De La Isla, Topeka
Lee Beth Dever, Lawrence
Ryan Gilliland, Topeka
Becky Gray, Pittsburg
Paul Grimes, Pittsburg
Vince Haines, El Dorado
David Harwood, Leawood
Cindy Hoover, Wichita
Schaunta James-Boyd, Wichita
Scott Jones, Overland Park
Timothy Keck, Topeka
Kimberly Krull, El Dorado
Christine Ladner, Lawrence
Danny Langerot, Jr., Columbus
Judd Liebau, Chapman
Janice Luth, Wichita
Patty McManus Corcoran, Overland Park
Stephanie Meyer, Shawnee
Joshua Ney, Lawrence
Daryl Pint, Shawnee
Joseph Reardon, Kansas City
Nathan Regier, Newton
Gabe Schlickau, Danville
Charles Schmidt, Independence
Henry Schwaller IV, Hays
David Steinmann, Independence
Jeff Sutton, Marysville
Jonathan Thomas, Fairway
Shawn Turner, Baxter Springs
Jeff Vaught, Shawnee
Eric Williams, Wichita
Kristey Williams, Augusta