The Board of Directors of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program has acknowledged the completion of coursework and graduation of twenty participants of the 2020-21 program year. Ceremonies were completed following Covid-19 event protocols established by the Riley County Health Department with approval to hold the event at the Liquid Art Winery & Estate, Manhattan.
Executive Director, Jack Lindquist explained how this class experience was different from all others since the formation of the program in 1992, “The Covid-19 Pandemic opened our eyes and creative thinking to ways the program had to change to allow in person attendance and interaction, all while practicing safety protocols established by health officials. This class, right sized for social distancing, was 1/3 smaller than our recent classes so selection was event more competitive. The members became known as the AD ASTRA Class.” Lindquist added, “Under these new learning environments, modified tours and amended – technological ways to access and interact with our regions established business and governmental leaders, the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program helped the Class leaders find a way to change the future to better opportunities when faced with unimaginable challenges. They sacrificed, stepped up and found a way to turn the experience into one that can be duplicated in part, or in whole, when other challenges surface. Given that, each put great effort into building on their – Integrity, Confidence, Discipline, Professionalism, Self-Development, Broadened Viewpoint & Servant Ethos. Our newest Graduates now possess a sense to serve and follow, in-order-to LEAD.”
FHRLP Chair Ryan Almes introduced closing address speaker Lyle Butler. In June 2020, Lyle Butler was appointed by Governor Laura Kelly as Chair for the SPARK Committee (Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas) for the Governor’s Office of Recovery. Almes completed the evenings celebration event stating that, “Our new leaders will be dedicated to helping protect and preserve the businesses, infrastructure, and families of the Flint Hills and beyond. Each member helped one another see that, by their own actions, a model is put into place…helping present and future generations join them as we protect, appreciate, and invest in a better quality of life.”
The event was underwritten by Corvias, focused on improving the quality of life at Fort Riley and for our service personnel and civilian support networks that make this region the best place to live, work and raise families. The program area includes Fort Riley, Geary, Riley and Pottawatomie Counties.”
Class members that completed the seven-session course over the past six months included:
Zachary Bayless Manhattan
Pottawatomie County
Recreation Supervisor for Arts & Humanities, City of Manhattan Parks & Recreation
Tara Claussen Manhattan
Riley County
CEO / Director, Konza United Way
Kevin Dickerson Riley
Riley County
Facilities Director,
CORVIAS Property Management
Paul Eichem Wamego
Pottawatomie County
Sales Coordinator, Purple Wave Auction
Aubrey Evans Dwight
Morris County
District Manager,
Riley County Conservation District
Flo Ewing Junction City
Geary County
Leasing Consultant, Corvias
Fanny Fang Manhattan
Riley County
Owner/Partner, Asian Market LLC
Benjamin Fisher Manhattan
Riley County
Air Traffic Controller,
DPTMS Air Traffic Control at USAG Fort Riley
Pamela Green Nealey Manhattan
Riley County
Director of Operations,
Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan
Aaron Harrop Manhattan
Riley County
ASAP Program Manager,
US Army DHR, Fort Riley
Julia Henning Manhattan
Riley County
Medical Marketing and Outreach Specialist, HR Div., Irwin Arm Community Hospital, Fort Riley
Sarah L. Keatley Wamego
Pottawatomie County
Alumni Events and Affairs Coordinator,
KSU College of Veterinary Medicine
Tammy Melton Junction City
Geary County
City Clerk, Junction City
Jeff Miller Manhattan
Pottawatomie County
Restaurant General Manager,
McAlister’s Deli
Tim Morgan Chapman
Dickinson County
Installation Antiterrorism Officer, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS), Fort Riley
Dawn Munger Manhattan
Riley County
Museum Curator of Collections, Riley County Historical Museum
Mike Solida Wamego
Pottawatomie County
Customer Solutions Manager, EVERGY
Mariah Wheaton Junction City
Geary County
Guest Experience Director,
Rock Spring 4-H Center
Levi Whitebread Junction City
Geary County
Sergeant, Junction City/GE Co.
Drug Operations Group, JC PD
Sharonté E. Williams Junction City
Geary County
Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program
Jack Lindquist, Executive Director
