Governor Announces Appointments to Commissions and Boards

Topeka – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback today announced numerous appointments to boards and commissions.

“I am proud to announce these Kansans to their respective boards and commissions,” Governor Brownback said.  “I am confident that these individuals will utilize their experience and expertise in their respective professions to work to make Kansas even better.”

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.

Governor’s Council on Travel and Tourism

The Governor’s Council on Travel and Tourism advises the Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism in the development and implementation of the state's tourism marketing and business development, provides information for preparation of the annual budget for the Division of Travel and Tourism development, and  reviews tourism related issues and current state policies and programs.

• Bridgette Jobe, of Kansas City, is the executive director of the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. She previously served as tourism manager for the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jobe is also a Kansas Destination Specialist and a Kansas City Certified Tourism Ambassador. (Public Member)

Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

The Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention was established to determine, advocate for, and promote the best interests of juveniles in Kansas. Reflecting its purpose, the Kansas Advisory Group reviews juvenile justice policy, advises policymakers on issues affecting the Juvenile Justice system; and strives to keep Kansas in compliance with the federal JJDPA act.

• Sarah D. Mays, of Topeka, is the acting Court Services Administrative Officer for the Third Judicial District in Topeka. She earned a Masters of Public Administration and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Kansas. Mays is also a licensed specialist in Clinical Social Work and a Certified Mediator. (Law Enforcement and JJA Agencies Member)
• Dona Booe, of Meriden, is the President and CEO of the Kansas Children’s Service League. She previously served as a program director and a regional director for SRS, as well as Chief of Children and Family Policy at SRS. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Industrial Psychology from Emporia State University. (Volunteer Member)
• Melody Pappan, of Winfield, is an administrator for Cowley County Youth Services. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Southwestern College, and served as a Deputy Sherriff for Cowley County for six years. She is also a Sunday School Teacher at the Winfield Church of the Nazarene.
• Pat Colloton, of Leawood, represents the 28th District in the Kansas House of Representatives. She is the Chair of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee, and Chair of the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice. She earned a Law Degree from the University of Wisconsin. (Law Enforcement and JJA Agencies Member)

Kansas State Board of Accountancy

The Kansas Board of Accountancy is the regulatory body authorized to carry out the laws and administrative regulations governing CPAs.

• Denise Denning, of Wichita, is an Audit Partner and the Audit Services Practice Leader in the Wichita office of Grant Thornton, LLP. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Fort Hays State University. Denning is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She has been active in the Women’s Research Institute of Wichita and the American Society of Women Accountants. (CPA Member)

Kansas Dealer Review Board

The Kansas Dealer Review Board works to improve vehicle dealer practices, makes suggestions and recommendations for changes in current law relating to vehicle sales, acts as a resource for vehicle industry problems and provides expertise to uncover operating problems created by current law, while balancing problems against the greater public interest.

• Paul E. Davis, of Wichita, has owned A-Plus Parts and Salvage in Wichita since 1981. Davis has served on the committees of the Automotive Recyclers Association and currently serves as the President of Kansas Automotive Recyclers Association. (Licensed Salvage Dealer Member)
• Danny Zeck, of Leavenworth, has worked in the automobile retail industry for 29 years. Until 2009, he was the owner and operator of Danny Zeck Ford in Leavenworth. He has been the recipient of the Ford Motor Company President’s Award and the Quality Dealer Award. (Public Member)
• Daniel Carlson, of Topeka, is the President and General Manager of Carlson Auction Services, Inc. He has served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Kansas Independent Automobile Dealers Association. (Used Vehicle Member)

State Library of Kansas Board

The State Library of Kansas advocates for statewide library services and resources, advises and counsels the state librarian on policies and management, reviews/approves annual plans of regional systems of cooperating libraries, promotes collaboration with the state Board of Regents to ensure the inclusion of libraries on the KAN-ED network, and recommend statewide priorities for interlibrary cooperation.

• Jennifer Schroeder, of Concordia, is a seasoned library professional with experience in library planning, budgeting, management and cataloging. Schroeder currently serves as the Director of Library Services and Archives for Cloud County Community College. She maintains memberships with the Kansas Library Association, the College and University Library Section, the American Library Association, and the Association of College and Research Libraries. (Community College Library Member)
• Lenora Kinzie, of Topeka, is the Director of Library Services for the Stauffer Health Sciences Library at Stormont-Vail Healthcare in Topeka, a post she has served in since 1998. Kinzie earned her Master of Library Science from Emporia State University in 1980. She maintains affiliations with the Kansas Professional Grant Association, the Heartland Healthy Neighborhood Advisory Committee and the United Way Citizens Review Panel. (Special Library Member)
• Max Burson, of Wichita, is the Library Director for Friends University in Wichita. He earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Missouri State University and a Master of Arts in Library Science from Missouri University-Columbia. (Private College Library Member)
• Cathy Nugent, of Leawood, is the owner of Willis Pendleton LLC, a grassroots communications company, as well as a partner with Integrated Strategies Group LLC. She has served on the Johnson County Library Board and Kansas City Convention and Visitors Bureau. (Public Library Trustee Member)
• Diane Hornbostel, of Washington, works at the Linn County Community Nursing Home. She has previously worked at the Centennial Nursing Home in Washington and the Washington County Hospital. She has also been involved in the General Federation of Women’s Club of Kansas Modern Pioneers Study Club, serving as Club President, District President and Club Treasurer. (Kansas Federation of Women’s Club Member)

Kansas Human Rights Commission

The mission of the Kansas Human Rights Commission is to prevent and eliminate discrimination and assure equal opportunities in all employment relations, to eliminate profiling in conjunction with traffic stops, to eliminate and prevent discrimination, segregation or separation, and assure equal opportunities in all places of public accommodations and in housing.  The six member board is appointed by the governor.  The Governor’s appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.

• Patricia Ann Hill, of Overland Park, emigrated from England in 1976. She has been a successful real estate agent in Kansas City for the past 15 years. Hill has also been an active member of the Overland Park Rotary Club and the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors. (Real Estate Industry Member)

Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board

The Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board regulates real estate appraiser's licenses, provides access to appraisers' education resources and informs appraisers of industry news.

• Stephen Hughes, of Overland Park, is President and CEO of Hughes and Company Real Estate Appraisal. The company focuses on residential subdivisions and golf courses. Hughes earned his MBA from the University of Kansas in 1977. (Appraiser Member)

Kansas Board of Examiners for Hearing Aids

The Kansas Board of Examiners for Hearing Aids is appointed by the Governor and consists of five persons. The members of the Board are professional hearing instrument fitters and dispensers, and must all have been engaged in the actual practice of fitting and dispensing hearing instruments in this state continuously for the last five years.

• Amy Weatherford, of Topeka, is a sixth grade teacher in the Perry-Lecompton School District. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University. She has previously worked as a Youth Care Worker, and is active in school leadership. (Public Member)
• Sharron Hamilton, of Salina, is an executive member of the Central Kansas Library System and the Kansas Library Trustee Association. She has served as a legal secretary, elementary school nurse and a Deputy Register of Deeds in Lincoln. (Public Member)

Kansas State Board of Cosmetology

The mission of the Kansas Board of Cosmetology is to protect the health and safety of the consuming public by licensing qualified individuals and enforcing standards of practice. The members of the Kansas State Board of Cosmetology are appointed by the governor to regulate the practice of the profession of cosmetology in Kansas.

• Carol House, of Arkansas City, owned and operated Salon 909 in Ark City from 1988-2010. She was the valedictorian of the Xenon International School of Hair Design in 1987. She also has worked as a realtor and a service representative. (Licensed Cosmetologist)

Information Network of Kansas

Kansas.gov operates under the authority of the Information Network of Kansas, Inc., which provide Kansans equal electronic access to state, county, local and other public information. INK provides Kansans equal access to government data online. The board ensures information in the public domain is administered for the public good.

• Travis Rozean, of Hays, has worked for InfiniTec/Manatron Inc. in Hays for the past 13 years, holding the positions of Software Engineer Manager, General Manager, and currently serves as Director of Operations. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Information Technology from Fort Hays State University. (User Association Member)

State Building Advisory Committee

The State Building Advisory Committee evaluates and selects a short list of firms to be interviewed by user agencies for Capitol improvement projects.  They collect and maintain current data on construction costs and establish criteria and procedures to evaluate the qualification and performances of contractors providing architectural, engineering, or construction services. The Committee also develops and adopts standards for the inspection and acceptance of Capitol improvement projects as well as reviewing state agencies’ yearly Capitol improvement project requests and file an advice report with the Director of Budget.

• Georgia Gavito, of Lawrence, works in the facilities management department for Johnson County Government. She also serves as the Johnson County Emergency Transportation Coordinator. She received her Masters of Architecture from the University of Kansas. (Architect Member)

Southeast Kansas Library System

Through the use of joint planning and financing of library services, the Southeast Kansas Library System improves existing library services in that region of the state and utilizes what federal funding becomes available for improvement of the library system.

• Vickie Shead, of Garland, is the fifth and sixth grade and speech teacher at Fort Scott Christian Heights. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Communications from Pittsburg State University. (Bourbon County Member)

Kansas Water Authority

The Kansas Water Office coordinates the Kansas water planning process in cooperation with the Kansas Water Authority. The Authority's 24 members include representatives from diverse water use interest groups and leaders of the state's natural resource agencies. Advice on policy development comes from Basin Advisory Committees in each of the state's 12 river basins and other local stakeholders. The Authority, in turn, advises the Governor and Legislature on water issues to be considered for policy enactment.

• Mark Fischer, of Wright, is being re-appointed to a four year term by Governor Brownback. Fischer is a partner in Fischer Irrigation, as well as the owner and operator of Midwest Cattle. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University in 1986. (Public Member)
• John Bailey, Ph.D., of Pittsburg, currently serves as the Director of Public Utilities for the city of Pittsburg. He earned his Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1983. He has been an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers and Kansas Consulting Engineers.  (Public Member)
• Don Paxson, of Penokee, owns and operates a 1900-acre dry land farm operation. He has served on the Graham County Conservation District since 1979. Paxson was appointed to the Kansas Water Authority by Governor Graves in 1996, and is being re-appointed to a four year term by Governor Browback. (KS Association of Conservation Districts Member)