Advisory Board

Thea Nietfeld

2011-present (term expires 2014)

Thea Nietfeld has a Masters in Labor Relations and a Masters of Divinity. She is a Unitarian Universalist minister serving small fellowships in Salina and Hutchinson.  Thea’s ministry focus is peacemaking. Her primary areas of work include alternative dispute resolution, peace building, democratization and organizational development.

Gary Flory

2011-present (term expires 2014)

Gary Flory, J.D., is the principal facilitator with the Great Plains Consensus Council (GPCC) at Bethel College, where he also serves on the faculty. In addition, he is the director of GPCC’s parent organization, the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR). Gary is approved by the Kansas Supreme Court as a mediation trainer in the areas of core, civil and domestic mediation, though his primary area of expertise remains facilitated public decision-making. He is also on the national roster of Environmental Conflict Resolution and Consensus Building Professionals for the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

Phillip Wilbur

2011-present (term expires 2014)

Phillip Wilbur has worked as a media advocacy consultant and trainer on a variety of public health issues, primarily in tobacco control. He began by working with renowned political consultant Tony Schwartz in 1984. Wilbur’s work as a writer and producer for Schwartz on various political and public interest campaigns won him several awards, including two CLIO nominations. He currently works with Danya International, Inc., a government-consulting firm in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he directs their tobacco control and other health programs.

Joseph Pierron

2011-present (term expires 2014)

G. Joseph (Joe) Pierron is a judge on the Kansas Court of Appeals. For almost 40 years, he has been heavily involved in children’s issues and in law-related education for both students and adults. He is presently chair of Kids Voting Kansas and participates in numerous committees and groups aimed at law-related education programs.

Terry Cupps

2007-present (term expires 2013)

Terry Cupps graduated with a B.A from Kansas State University in 1978 and received his J.D. from Washburn University in 1982. Terry currently practices law at Foulston Siefkin LLP Attorneys at Law in Wichita, KS. He is a member of the Kansas State University Alumni Association, Kansas State University Foundation President’s Club and a life member of the Washburn Law School Alumni Association.

Debbie Divine

2007-present (term expires 2013)

Debbie Divine is a former mayor and city commissioner of Salina, KS; she also managed the Kansas Scenic Byways Program under the Kansas Department of Transportation for 14 years. Debbie currently serves on the boards of the Kansas Humanities Council, the Kansas Sampler Foundation and the Salina Art Center.

Charles Griffin

2009-present (term expires 2012)

Charlie Griffin is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Kansas State University and is currently serving as department head for Communication Studies, Theatre and Dance.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri and has primary research interests in rhetorical criticism, this history of American public address and the rhetoric of religion in American life.

Lana Oleen

2009-present (term expires 2012)

Lana Oleen is the former Senate Majority Leader for the state of Kansas.  Lana is a board member of The National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and Commercialization (NISTAC) and President of Lana Oleen Consulting, LLC in Manhattan, KS.

Lynda Rathbone

2007-present (term expires 2013)

Lynda Rathbone started working for the US government by setting up the first email system as well as the first website for the White House in Washington D.C. She is currently the managing director for the web service consultancy firm, Four Square Media in London, England.

Trudy Rice

2009-present (term expires 2012)

Trudy Rice is the Extension Associate for the Kansas PRIDE program located at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.  She is also a member of the ECO2 Commission serving Douglas County in Kansas.

Bill Richter

2008-present (term expires 2012)

Bill Ricter is a Professor Emeritus of political science at Kansas State University.  Bill was head of the Political Science department from 1984-1993 and also served as Associate Provost for International Programs. He is currently a member of the Kansas State University Foundation and the Presidents Club while serving on the Board of Directors for the Manhattan Community Foundation.

Judy Sabbert

2007-present (term expires 2013)

Judy Sabbert is the Chief Operating Officer for Heartland Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to empowering children and adults to build healthier, more livable communities. Located in St. Joseph, Missouri, the Foundation has been recognized nationally and internationally for creating innovative approaches and diverse partnerships that build the capacity of individuals and communities to succeed.

Karl Weissenbach

2009-present (term expires 2012)

Karl Weissenbach is the director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, KS.  He has previously served as the Director of the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff in College Park, MD and was responsible for managing the National Archives main reading room, as well as serving as a consultant on the National Archives main holdings. Karl also serves on the growth issues task force and is a member of the Economic Development Commissions in Abilene.

 

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Past Board Members

Patsy Terrell (served 2008-2011) Public Relations and Event Coordinator for the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.

Jonathan Mertz (served 2008-2011) Educator in Manhattan, KS, and chair for the Flint Hills Human Rights Project.

Sara Hessenflow-Harper (served 2008-2011) Partner with Clark Group, LLC as a consultant and policy analyst in Washington DC.

Jana Denning (served 2007-2008)  Professional staffer for the US House Transportation Aviation subcommittee in Washington DC.

Lon Frahm (served 2007-2008)  Commissioner of the Kansas Arts Commission, President of Frahm Farmland, Inc. located in Colby, KS.

Mike Harders (served 2007)  Executive Director of Development at Missouri State University.

William Keith (served 2007-2008)  Associate Professor of Rhetorical Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Wendy Manual (served 2007-2010)  Senior Business Development Manager of Dell Corporate in Austin, Texas.

Jose Alfredo Miranda Lopez (served 2007-2009)  President of UPAEP University in Puebla, Mexico.

Dennis Vasquez (served 2007-2009)  Commission Program Manager for the creation of the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC.

Lynn Vasquez (served 2007-2009)   Education Planning Administrator at Maryland State Department of Education in the Washington D.C. Metro Area.

Kate Watson (served 2007-2008)  Owner of Kate Watson Marketing & Business Development.

Major Dave Young (served 2007-2008)  Director of the Integrated Initiatives Office – Kansas Homeland Security in Topeka, KS.