TOPEKA—District Magistrate Judge Marty Clark was elected president of the Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association.

The organization, open to all state district magistrate court judges, elected officers to serve in the coming year. Officers were elected at a statewide conference for judges conducted in Wichita.

Clark serves in Russell County of the 20th Judicial District. He previously was first vice president.

He is a Smith Center native and has been a magistrate judge since 1998. He graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1989 with a degree in sociology and an emphasis in criminal justice. He currently serves on the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission and the judicial branch’s Judges Assistance Committee. He is a member of the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board.

Clark has served in various offices of KDMJA over the years. He was named Kansas CASA Judge of the Year in 1989. He was nominated twice for the National CASA Judge of the Year.

He succeeds District Magistrate Judge Douglas Bigge, who completed two terms as president. Bigge serves in Rooks County of the 23rd Judicial District.

Other officers are:

• District Magistrate Judge Jenifer Ashford, first vice president. She serves in Johnson County, which is the 10th Judicial District.
• District Magistrate Judge Brendon Boone, reelected second vice president. He serves in Gove County of the 23rd Judicial District.
• District Magistrate Judge Shannon Rush, third vice president. She serves in Osage County of the 4th Judicial District.
• District Magistrate Judge Debra Anderson, reelected secretary. She serves in Norton County of the 17th Judicial District.

  

• District Magistrate Judge Daniel Gilligan, treasurer. He serves in Reno County, which is the 27th Judicial District.

Elected to the board of directors were:

• District Magistrate Judge Timarie Walters of Stafford County of the 20th Judicial District
• District Magistrate Judge Robert Scott of Johnson County, the 10th Judicial District
• District Magistrate Judge Phil Moore of Clark County of the 16th Judicial District

The organization also presented service awards:

35 years

• District Magistrate Judge Richard Ress, serving in Thomas County of the 15th Judicial District

25 years

• District Magistrate Judge Blaine Carter, serving in Wabaunsee County of the 2nd Judicial District

15 years

• District Magistrate Judge Steve Hilgers, serving in McPherson County of the 9th Judicial District

10 years

• District Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell, serving in Pawnee County of the 24th Judicial District
• District Magistrate Judge Kenton Gleason, serving in Hodgeman County of the 24th Judicial District
• District Magistrate Judge Kristin Hutchison, serving in Elk County of the 13th Judicial District
• District Magistrate Judge Dale Snyder, serving in Rush County of the 24th Judicial District