Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program Class of 2020-21 Completes Course

Class of 2020-21 (jpg photo)

 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