The Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program has announced the newest members of the training experience along with a milestone celebration. The program was formed in 1992 and is celebrating its 30th Anniversary of programming with the upcoming 2023-24 program year. The festivities were held in Manhattan at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
According to FHRLP Board chair and program alumnus, Sarah Keatley, “From that very first 1993-94 class, 636 members of this region have stepped up to make a measurable difference in the lives and livelihoods of generations of residents from the north-central Flint Hills and western KAW Valley communities we call home.”
Founding and continuously supporting organization representatives we’re recognized as well during the event including Fort Riley, The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Manhattan, the Riley County Commission, the Geary County Commission, City of Junction City, City of Wamego, Wamego Area Chamber of Commerce, Pottawatomie County, and the newly added Wabaunsee County Commission.
Lindsay Miller, FHRLP Treasurer, thanked the underwriters and sponsors including the founding organizations, session sponsors and businesses that help fund the eight-session experience. CORVIAS Military Living/Riley Communities received special recognition as the lead class 2023-24 underwriter.
Brandon French, FHRLP Alumni coordinator, honored a score of alumni that have joined the Lifetime Dues honorary for perpetual support of the program.
Program Executive Director, Jack Lindquist summarized the profile of the selected emerging leaders of the 2023-24 class, “The class members selected represent the success of collaborations, cooperation, bipartisanship, service, partnerships, commitment, teamwork, tenacity, and perseverance. Teamwork makes the dream work!”
In conclusion of the event Lindquist added, “We will keep the public tuned into the progress of the training experience through news and social media sources as we take the 2023-24 class through the steps to discover their role alongside key leaders that represent the bridge to a brighter pathway and future for our region.”
2023-2034 Class members included:
Holly Boice Junction City GE County Grant Specialist, Flint Hills Regional Council
Tiffany Cutting Manhattan RL County Manager, Varney & Associates CPA's LLC
Israel Epping-Fuentes Manhattan PT County AVP Branch Manager, Bank of the Flint Hills
Vanessa Eymann Fort Riley GE County Leader and Workforce Development Specialist, DHR Fort Riley
Casey Frisbie St. George PT County Director of Public Works, Wamego
Amanda Gnadt Alma WB County Flint Hills Stone, Co-owner & Community Relations Dir.
Natalie Gordon Westmoreland PT County Director of Business Development and Client Engagement, Anderson Knight Architects
Jason Hasby Manhattan RL County Mobilization Plans and Operations Specialist DPTMS USAG Fort Riley
Tracy Henry Alma WB County Executive Director, Greater Morris County Development Corporation
Jennifer “JJ” James Manhattan RL County Public Affairs Specialist, USAG Fort Riley
Jackie Jones Manhattan RL County Security Manager, DPTMS, USAG Fort Riley
Michaela Joyce Manhattan RL County Executive Director Junction City Mainstreet
Jerry Kellum Manhattan RL County Program Analyst, Army DPW
Stephanie Maike Alma WB County 4-H Program Assistant / Office Professional, K-State Research & Extension: Wabaunsee County
Melissa McClure Manhattan RL County Garrison Operations Specialist, USAG Ft. Riley
Dustin Murphy Chapman DK County Investigations Lieutenant, Junction City Police Department
Patricia Pearson Junction City GE County Peer Mentor/Recovery Coach, Central Kansas Foundation
Jason Powell Wamego PT County Deputy Police Chief, Wamego Police Department
Michelle Seibel Manhattan RL County Senior Director of Human Resources, Florence Corporation
Jonathan Sumner Alta Vista WB County Corporal, Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office
Amanda Webb Manhattan RL County Planning Director, Riley County