OFFICE OF GOV.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee Tuesday approved Governor Sam Brownback’s most recent appointments. The committee’s action authorizes the appointees who serve on boards and commissions to be voting members. They must be approved by the full Senate when the legislature reconvenes in January.
“Grateful for the willingness of these appointees to lend their time and talents to the state of Kansas,” Governor Brownback said.
The Governor’s Office is always looking for qualified, interested Kansans to serve the state on commissions and boards in their areas of expertise. If you are interested in serving on a commission or board, please visit http://governor.ks.gov/serving-kansans/office-of-appointments.
Board of Regents
The Board of Regents governs the six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges. The governor appoints all nine members to the board, with each congressional district being represented.
Shane Bangerter, Dodge City, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. He earned his bachelor of science from Oral Roberts University and his juris doctor from University of Kansas School of Law. Bangerter owns Bangerter Law, P.A..
Ann Brandau-Murguia, Kansas City, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. She earned her bachelor of arts in human services from Ottawa University and her masters of business administration from Baker University. Brandau-Murguia is the Executive Director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association in Kansas City and is a 3rd District Commissioner on the Unified Government Board of Commissioners.
Helen Van Etten, Topeka, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. She earned her bachelor of education in health education/special education from National Taiwan Normal University, her masters of audiology at Wayne State University, and her doctorate of audiology program from the University of Florida. Van Etten is currently a practicing audiologist.
State Banking Board
The State Banking Board acts in an advisory capacity in all matters pertaining to the administration of the banking laws of the state and approves rules and regulations proposed to be adopted by the State Bank Commissioner. The governor appoints nine members to the board, six of whom are bankers and three members who represent the general public. No more than five members of the board shall represent the same political party and each congressional district shall be represented.
Irvin Mitchell, Russell, is being appointed to serve a three-year term. He earned his bachelor of business administration from Fort Hays State University. Mitchell has been the Bank President/CEO of Wilson State Bank, since 2000.
Leonard Wolfe, Marysville, is being appointed to serve a three-year term. He earned his bachelor of science in business administration from Southwestern College. Wolfe has been the President/Chairman of the Board, United Bank & Trust, since 2004.
Kurt Knutson, Overland Park, is being reappointed to serve a three-year term. He earned his bachelor of business administration in marketing from the University of Iowa. Knutson is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Freedom Bank.
Racing and Gaming Commission
The commission protects the integrity of the racing and gaming industry through enforcement of Kansas laws. The governor appoints all five members to the commission and each congressional district must be represented.
Brandon Jones, Ottawa, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. He earned his bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Kansas and his juris doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law. Jones is currently the county attorney for Osage & Anderson Counties.
Kansas Development Finance Authority
The Kansas Development Finance Authority promotes economic development and the general welfare of the state by improving the accessibility to long-term capital financing by state agencies, political subdivisions, public and private organizations, and businesses. The governor appoints all five members to the Board.
C. Scott Anderson, CPA, Topeka, is being appointed to serve a four-year term. He earned his bachelor of science in accounting from Emporia State University. Anderson is the Chief Operation Officer as Hamm, Inc.
Chris Donnelly, Tonganoxie, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. He earned his bachelor of science in business administration from Oklahoma State University. Donnelly is the President and CEO of Bank of the Prairie.
Suchitra Padmanabhan, Topeka, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. She earned her bachelor of engineering and bachelor of arts from Dartmouth College and received her masters of business administration in analytic finance and economics concentrations from the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business. Padmanabhan is the President/Chairman of CB Bancshares and a general partner of BC Capital.
Kansas Public Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees
The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees oversees the investments of the retirement system funds. There are nine members on the board with the governor appointing four.
James Cusser, Mission Hills, is being appointed to serve a four-year term. He earned his bachelor of arts and masters of arts in political science from American University. Cusser also received a master of education from Harvard University. He is an adjunct professor at Johnson County Community College.
Public Employee Relations Board
The board establishes procedures for the prevention of improper public employer and employee organization practices. The governor appoints all five members. Membership is made up of public employers, public employees, and public members.
David M. Billingsley, Topeka, is being appointed to serve a four-year term. He studied business and sociology at Drury College. Billingsley is the Chief of Staff at the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Board of Indigents Defense Services
The State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services provide, supervise, and coordinate, in the most efficient and economical manner possible, the constitutionally and statutorily required counsel and related services for each indigent person accused of a felony and for such other indigent persons as prescribed by law. The governor appoints all nine members. There shall be an attorney appointed from each county with a population in excess of 100,000 and the rest of the membership shall be members of the general public, ensuring that each congressional district is represented.
Ronald Wurtz, Topeka, is being reappointed to serve a three-year term. He earned his bachelor of arts in political science from Washburn University and his juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law. Wurtz is an adjunct professor as Washburn University School of Law.
State Civil Service Board
The Civil Service Board hears appeals from classified state employees with permanent status under the Kansas Civil Service Act, as well as applicants for classified positions who are entitled by law and regulation to appeal to the Board. The governor appoints five members to the board. There shall be one member from each congressional district and the remainder from the state at large.
Allen Schmidt, Hays, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. He earned his bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Kansas, his masters of science from Fort Hays State University, and also received a masters of science in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. Schmidt works for the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc.
Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission eliminates and prevents discrimination and assures equal opportunities in the state in all employment regulations, all places of public accommodations, and in housing. The governor appoints all seven members. Members represent industry, labor, attorneys, realtors, and the general public.
Jonathon Westbrook, Kansas City, is being appointed to serve a four-year term. He earned his bachelors in organizational leadership from Donnelly College and is currently attending the University of Kansas and working toward a masters degree in public administration. Westbrook is a police officer with the Kansas City, Kansas police department.
David Brant, Wichita, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. He earned his bachelor of science in aeronautical technology from Arizona State University and his master of science in management from Friends University.
Michael Kane, Kansas City, is being reappointed to serve a four-year term. He is the public affairs director for the Laborers Local Union 1290 and he is a 5th District Commissioner on the Unified Government Board of Commissioners.