Military and Veterans Affairs Council

Dr. Marché Fleming-Randle was born in Birmingham, Alabama to James and Walter Mary Fleming and was raised abroad. Dr. Marché Fleming-Randle is the first African American Female Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement in the 125-year history of Wichita State University (WSU). Dr. Fleming-Randle earned an associate’s degree in science from the University Maryland, bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and master’s degree in Adult and Continuing Education from Kansas State University, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Fleming-Randle’s career at Wichita State University began in June 2007 as the Assistant Dean for the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. During her tenure, she served as the college liaison for student services planning and implementation, encompassing undergraduate recruitment activity, the enrollment process, and matriculation to degree completion.

In November 2015, she was appointed as the Assistant to the President for Diversity by WSU President John Bardo. In August 2017 she was promoted to Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement. In this role, she serves as the Chief Diversity Officer, oversees the President’s Diversity Council and other university departments, monitors institutional equity and compliance issues, and serves as the university liaison for community engagement—both within the university and on regional and national levels.

Her research and academic interests include mental health, child and youth programs and educational leadership and diversity. She has published a myriad of articles related to diversity, gender issues and mental health topics. She has also published handbooks on the Gumbo Analysis of Diversity, Martin Luther King Jr. and Black Women: Love, Lust and Loss and she has co-authored articles with fellow peers in her field of study. In addition, she is a motivational speaker, student advocate and public figure.

Dr. Fleming-Randle has received a number of awards and honors. She was the recipient of the U.S. Department of Education’s MLK Drum Major Innovation Service Award, WSU’s Excellence in Teaching Award, Wichita Urban Professionals’ Mentor of the Year Award, Wichita Business Journal’s Leaders in Diversity Award, the Sigma Gamma Rho Community Service Award, and she was named Who’s Who Among America’s college professors. She also received WSU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion Phenomenal Woman Award and TRIO Disability Support Services’ Lighthouse Award for Faculty of the Year.

Dr. Fleming-Randle’s hobbies include listening to her favorite musician, Prince, talking with friends, watching 007 James Bond movies, debating social issues with her father, James Sr., and spending quality time with her husband, Aron. Dr. Fleming-Randle is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is also involved in the Wichita State University Women’s Association, African American Faculty and Staff Association, Women of Wichita State University, Urban League of Kansas Guild, and Soroptimist International.

Captain Matthew Ayres began his military career in 1991 in the United States Marine Corps where he served as a noncommissioned officer in a reserve status until 1999. During his reserve status in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, Captain Ayres pursued a career in Law enforcement that started in 1995 when he began working for the Wichita Police Department and ended with him finally retiring from the Halstead Police Department in 2017.

During his Law Enforcement career in 2009, Captain Ayres renewed his military interest and enlisted in the US Army - Kansas Army National Guard as an enlisted soldier with the 1161st Forward Support Company (FSC) in Hutchinson, KS with the option of going to Officer Candidate School (OCS).

In 2010, Officer Candidate Ayres attended accelerated OCS at Ft. Meade, South Dakota and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army -Kansas Army National Guard.

Second Lieutenant Ayres went on to complete the US Army Field Artillery Basic Officer Leaders Course (FA BOLC) at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and became branch qualified as a Field Artillery Officer in 2011. In 2011, Second Lieutenant Ayres deployed with the 1-161st FA to the Horn of Africa where he served with Bravo Battery from Paola, KS as a Platoon Leader (PL) and was promoted to First Lieutenant. Upon his return to Kansas with the 1-161st FA, First Lieutenant Ayres was assigned to Charlie Battery in Newton, Kansas.

First Lieutenant Ayres served as a Platoon Leader (PL) once again as well as the Battery Fire Direction Officer (FDO) for Charlie Battery until 2013. In 2013, First Lieutenant Ayres was assigned to Headquarters Battery of the 1-161st FA in Hutchinson, KS as the Battalion Fire Direction Officer (FDO) to work as a staff officer for the Battalion Commander. First Lieutenant Ayres served in Hutchinson, KS until February of 2017 when he was promoted to Captain and assumed the duties of the Battery Commander of Alpha Battery of the 1-161st FA in Dodge City, KS.
In August of 2017, after a career spanning 22 years in Kansas Law Enforcement, Captain Ayres accepted an Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) job with the Kansas Army National Guard. Captain Ayres took command of Bravo Company Recruiting and Retention in Wichita, KS and relinquished his command as the Battery Commander in Dodge City, KS. In January of 2020, Captain Ayres was selected for a new assignment as the Training and Operations Officer with the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment in Hutchinson, KS and relinquished command as the Bravo Company Recruiting and Retention Commander in Wichita, KS.

Captain Ayres received his Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Newman University in Wichita, KS as well as his Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. Captain Ayres completed his professional military education at Ft. Sill, OK at the Field Artillery Captains Career Course, has obtained the Army National Guard’s basic Recruiting and Retention badge from the National Guard’s professional education center in Little Rock, Arkansas and has also completed the Human Resources Management (HRM) certification course at Ft. Jackson, SC.

Captain Ayres is married to his wife Shaylene, they have 4 children and reside in the Newton, KS area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ronald D. Blackwell began his fire service career as a Fire Protection Specialist in the United States Air Force serving at inter-continental and overseas installations in 1970. For almost 50 years he's been a member of the fire service rising through the ranks of the Wichita Fire Department to become the City’s 13th Fire Chief in 2007. He managed the day-to-day operations of the largest fire department in the State of Kansas. He has also served as the Fire Chief in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Prince George’s County, Maryland and as the Executive Director of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Since retiring from the Wichita Fire Department in 2017, Blackwell has worked for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation providing training and support for fire departments across the country that experience line-of-duty death. In addition, he serves as a Special Projects Associate for the Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University.

He has been recognized by the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs at Wichita State University for Outstanding Public Service. Blackwell is a past Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs, Kansas Fire Chief of the Year. He has also been recognized for Excellence in Public Service by the DeVore Foundation and as a participant in community leadership programs including Leadership Wichita as well as Leadership Prince George’s. He regularly donates blood to the American Red Cross.member of the fire service rising through the ranks of the Wichita Fire Department to become the City’s 13th Fire Chief in 2007. He managed the day-to-day operations of the largest fire department in the State of Kansas. He has also served as the Fire Chief in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Prince George’s County, Maryland and as the Executive Director of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Since leaving the Wichita Fire Department in 2017 Blackwell has worked for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation providing training and support for fire departments across the country that experience line-of-duty death. In addition, he serves as a Special Projects Associate for the Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University.

Ron is a graduate of the prestigious National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and has served on its adjunct faculty. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education as well as a Master of Public Administration from Wichita State University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief of Police, Rodney E. Clark began his military career in March of 1995 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Security Policeman. After completing basic and technical training at Lackland AFB TX and Fort Dix NJ, he was assigned to the 10th Missile Squadron, 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB MT, performing nuclear missile security duty until finishing his active duty enlistment in March of 1999. Upon completion of his first active duty assignment then Airman Clark was assigned to the 433rd Security Forces Squadron, 433rd Airlift Wing, US Air Force Reserve Command Kelly AFB TX before enrolling in the Air Force ROTC program Detachment 840, Texas State University.

Upon graduation and commissioning in December of 2000, then 2nd Lieutenant Clark began service as an Air Force Officer and was assigned to the 366th Security Forces Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB ID. 2LT Clark completed the Air Force Aerospace Basic Course at Maxwell AFB AL and the Security Forces Academy at Lackland AFB TX wile assigned to Mountain Home AFB. Following the attacks of 9/11, 2LT Clark deployed in January 2002 to Al Udeid Air Base near Doha, Qatar serving as Flight Commander in the 379th Security Forces Squadron, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Departing Idaho in March 2003 at the rank of First Lieutenant, 1LT Clark was assigned to the 607th Support Squadron, 7th Air Force, Republic of Korea (ROK). 1LT Clark was the Security Forces flight commander over 45 Airmen providing base law-enforcement services to US personnel and overseeing security for US Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) CH-47 aircraft. Following a 12-month tour in Korea 1LT Clark was assigned to the 341st Security Forces Group, 341st Space Wing, Malmstrom AFB MT in March of 2004. Returning to the unit he first served now at the rank of Captain, CPT Clark served as Flight Commander and later as Operations Officer for units involving the transport of nuclear missiles and in units responsible for base law-enforcement to include the leadership of a regional Air Force correctional facility. CPT Clark completed the US Air Force Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB AL and the US Air Force Police Administration Course at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond KY while assigned to Malmstrom AFB.

Departing Montana in June of 2006 CPT Clark returned to the Middle East and was assigned to the 380th Security Forces Squadron, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). CPT Clark served as the Wing Force Protection Officer and security liaison to the US Embassy under the US State Department Regional Security Officer (RSO). This was to be then CPT Clark’s last position as a US Air Force Officer as he transferred to the US Army after returning back to the United States and laterally transferred at the rank of Captain into active duty in the US Army Military Police (MP) Corps on 14 June 2007.

CPT Clark’s first assignment as an Army Officer was to FT Leonard Wood MO to complete the US Army Military Police Captains Career Course (MPCCC). Upon completion of school in April of 2008 CPT Clark was assigned to the 40th MP Detachment, FT Sill OK as the Commanding Officer. CPT Clark had 200 Soldiers assigned to his unit, responsible for all law-enforcement services for the post as well as the leadership of MP Soldiers assigned to a US Army prison. During this assignment CPT Clark completed the US Army Military Police Senior Leaders Course at FT Leonard Wood MO and was selected for promotion to the rank of Major before completing his commander assignment.

Leaving Oklahoma in July of 2010 CPT Clark was assigned as the Deputy Provost Marshal for the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea in August of 2010. Then Major Clark also performed duties as the Provost Marshal and Director of Emergency Services for the 2nd Infantry Division leading law-enforcement operations for the northern tier of South Korea for all US forces assigned in country. Major Clark Departed Korea in June of 2012 and was re-assigned to Headquarters Battalion and Division staff officer to the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum NY. Major Clark served as the Division Protection Officer and Division Staff officer until departing FT Drum in May of 2015. Major Clark completed the US Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) while assigned to FT Drum NY.

Major Clark’s final assignment in the Army was as Assistant Professor of Military Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester NY, US Army Cadet Command. It was here Major Clark trained new officers for the US Army in his capacity as professor and also serving as the Battalion Executive Officer. On 1 October 2018 Major Clark retired from the US Army after 22 years of military service, accepting the position as Chief of Police for Wichita State University where he serves today.

Chief Clark received his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University and his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University. Chief Clark is married to his beautiful wife Anna Clark, formerly Miss Anna Lanier of Emporia KS, they have one daughter and live in Wichita, KS.

 

Darren DeFrain is an associate professor of English and the Director of the Writing Program at Wichita State University. He is the author of two fiction books and is currently working on a nonfiction book for KU Press with colleague Fran Connor. He lives in Wichita with his wife and fellow English Department member, Melinda DeFrain. He grew up an army brat and was born at Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Experienced and award-winning Professor of English with a demonstrated history of working in higher education. Skilled in student development, teaching writing and creative writing, graphic narratives, accessibility, adult education, tutoring, and academic advising. Strong education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University.

 

 

 

Elora Forshee serves as the Director of Sedgwick County Emergency Communications (911). Born and raised in Wichita, she has a passion for ensuring that all community members and visitors have equitable access to emergency services. Elora is a WSU alum, graduating in 2011 with her bachelor’s degree. She has been with Emergency Communications since 2004, serving first as a dispatcher before working her way through the ranks and being promoted to director in 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Jammie L. Frakes is the Executive Officer for the 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell AFB, Kan.. In this position, he advises the Wing Commander in directing, coordinating, and implementing executive functions for a diverse wing of over 1,300 Guardsmen engaged in a broad spectrum of missions including intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, cyberspace operations, command and control, and a full complement of support functions including civil engineering, security forces, medical, and force support squadrons, all greatly enhancing the Air Force’s capability to provide actionable intelligence and information dominance for combat forces around the globe.

Maj Frakes, a native of Lawrenceburg Tennessee, entered active duty service into the United States Air Force in May 1991 and graduated Security Forces Apprentice technical training that same year. Assigned to the 22nd Security Forces Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kan., he maintained currency on several key positional and weapons qualifications. He served honorably until leaving active duty in 1995 to enter active reserve status in the Air National Guard, and continuing his law enforcement career by serving as a Parole Officer for the State of Kansas, assigned to the High Risk Unit. As a traditional Guard member, Maj Frakes retrained in 1998 to Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator with the 134th Air Control Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kan. and later upgraded to Modular Control System Weapons Director. He was called to active service in the days following September 11th 2001, and has been serving with the Kansas Air National Guard in full time capacity since. Maj Frakes deployed to Whiteman AFB in 2001 and Jackson Hole Wyoming in 2002 in support of OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE. In 2003 he deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM as a Weapons Director to Kandahar AB, Afghanistan. During this deployment, he controlled more than two-hundred sorties, and coordinated coalition air support for four troops in contact events. Maj Frakes graduated from Newman University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. In 2007, he entered Active Guard Reserve service when retraining as an NSA certified Red Team Aggressor with the 177 Information Aggressor Squadron. He received his commission from the Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Tenn.. in 2009, and soon after was selected as an Intelligence Analyst and the Chief of Training, responsible for the development for over 70 Information and Cyber Aggressors. Maj Frakes retrained in 2015 after his selection as the Medical Administrative Officer for the 184th Medical Group, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations, training, equipping, mentoring, professional development, deployment readiness, and morale and welfare for all MDG personnel, and ensuring medical readiness support to over 1,300 Wing members. In 2019, Maj Frakes was selected as Executive Officer for the 184th Wing, where he currently serves.

Education
1991 Security Specialist Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
1996 Airman Leadership School, McConnell AFB, Kan.
1999 Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator, Keesler AFB, Miss. 2003 Noncommissioned Officer Academy Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2003 Modular Control System Weapons Director Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
2005 Bachelor of Science, Business Management, Newman University, Wichita, Kan.
2006 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Associate Degree in Air and Space Operations, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Basic Aggressor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2007 Red Team Operators Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2009 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson, Tenn.
2010 Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2015 Squadron Officer Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

 

A native of Magnolia North Carolina, I was born 15 January 1931. As an AF ROTC Cadet I graduated from East Carolina University as a 2nd Lt. with a degree in Political Science. With AF assistance I also graduated from George Washington University with a master's degree in public administration. My master's thesis was-"Will NASA or Department of Defense Ultimately Control Space." The answer now has clairvoyance. My military education includes the 14 week Air University Squadron Officer Course, their academic year of Command and Staff College and the senior officers academic year at the Naval War College where I was the senior AF student Officer and earned a Master's degree in Strategic Planning.

At flight school I met Wilma Lehman of TX. In 1955 we married and have two sons. We are extremely fortunate, all four of us are on the topside and marriage holds with 65 years and counting. In our military career of 25 family years, Wilma counts 17 homes we opened and closed.

Early career years were aircrew assignments here in the Midwest. First the KC97, then the KC135. Picked up a new KC-135 in Seattle and flew it to Omaha, it was named the city of Omaha and is still flying today without the name. From Command and Staff College I transitioned to the B-52H model. I accumulated about 3,800 flight hours in the Strategic Air Command. But soon in my junior years I was being moved from Squadron level to higher Headquarter assignments. From the KC-135 Sq., against my wishes, I was transferred to HQ SAC Inspector General's team. I was wrong- General Wells was correct. Two years later I was one of the several Captains selected below rank to attend Command and Staff College. At the Air University I was excited to see two of the Captains were longtime friends.

After about six months at the 8-52 Sq. I was pulled to Wing Hqs. - maintained flight status but my primary job was Director of Reports and Analysis of crew performance. The Wing Commander had been fired. The new Wg. CC was kicking butts and taking names, we met each Saturday to review performance. He fixed "thing" and within the year my orders read HQ 8th AF Westover AFB MA. Director of Crew Training and Weapons Control Center. This was a serious high pressure demanding tough assignment.

After two years I had my first command - Squadron Commander Seymore Johnson AFB, NC. Fourteen months later the offer was "waive early notification and we will assign you Deputy Commander of Maintenance @ Nakhon Phenom - NKP Thailand." This would be a major move - I agreed. Arrived Christmas Eve. I had been promoted to Lt. Col. at Westover AFB. My NKP boss, Col. Mentecki, was the best I had ever served with ... he knew I did not know ... and I knew I could not fake it. He pushed me out front on the learning curve of maintenance. Took me about six months to understand - but not to express- this war is a bunch of crap.

At NKP I was selected two years below the zone to Colonel - I was one surprised boy. I was also on the list to attend senior officers War College . I had reported in Dec. thus I returned to home plate in Dec. This placed me out of cycle and my holding pattern was Commander Maintenance Whitman AFB. A Minuteman Missile Base- I had never seen a Minuteman Missile. I had requested Naval War College, again I was incredibly pleased and excited about the assignment. War College was academically challenging- professors were all civilians and particularly good. We had top of the line guest speakers, as senior AF Officer I had lunch or dinner with them including the other Server Branch Chiefs. We had academic freedom to express oneself and so did the speakers. One was not allowed to be quoted without written permission. The entire College was enhanced by the large number of Vietnam POW class members My June graduation orders read report to McConnell AFB as Vice Wing Commander.

The Wing Commander was Jimmy Scott, he and his wife Jo were truly top of the line - we had never met but became the best of friends. The wing had 18 Titan Missiles with Top Secret warheads and targets ... Also 18 KC-135 tanks and host base to the 184th KS National Guard. Our change of command ceremony was beautiful and landed me on the moon. Years later both Jimmy and Jo developed a fatal cancer situation. With Jimmy first and Jo following, I delivered their funeral eulogy. A tough assignment. In 1978 I was on the other end of changing Command and was moving to Offutt AFB Neb. as Director of SAC worldwide Police and Security Forces. We were authorized 14,000 and had on board an average of 13,000 plus. It was a Brig. Gen. slot reporting directly to General Ellis, Commander in Chief of SAC. I had zero experience in Security Forces .... but Gen. Ellis specifically directed what he wanted to happen. A change of culture.

In May 1980, at 49 years old and almost 27 years of duty, I retired from the AF for a new career. Along the way I had earned the Legion of Merit, The Bronze Star, twice, two Air Medals, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal and Vietnam Commendation Medal.

I joined my brother at lnman's Corp. as Vice President Director of Operations. In 1984 I was not a happy camper. In January, Wilson Cadman, President, CEO and Chairman of Board Kansas Gas and Electric called . In March I returned to Wichita. Initially, I was Special Assistant to Mr. Cadman and member of the Policy Group. In August I was appointed Director of Operation for KG&E - we were building Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant. There never had been a non-engineer director of operation. Lots of folks believed there never should be!! The AF had well prepared me ... l had never seen a Minuteman Missile, I had never climbed down the hole of a Titan Missile, nor had I been in Security Police. Of course, I had not climbed a light pole and could not spell kilowatts. Wilson Cadman had spent his adult life at KG&E. When I was Commander McConnell, he was Wichita Chairman of Military Affairs. Wilson was a great leader who could see around the corner. He knew to modernize his company he needed a new set of eyeballs and a culture change. For eleven years we worked the process and became specials friends. At his funeral Bob Reeves presented his professional life. I covered Wilson the man. Yes, I admired, respected, and appreciated him.

During my active years, with Wilson pushing, I was continually active in civic and political activities. I waIt has been a wonderful long-long trail a-winding into the land of my dreams—with lots of stories to be shared ...s on the Founders Executive Committee of The Kansas Food Bank Warehouse, Executive Board Quivira Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Vice President and President of Kansas American Automobile Association, President of Paul Revere Foundation, Director of Friends of McConnell Foundation, Chairman Wichita Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, Founder and Chairman of Area VI Kansas Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, Board of Director Kansas Diabetes Association, President of Crestview Country Club Improvement District. Member of Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Rotary Club.

It has been a wonderful long-long trail a-winding into the land of my dreams -- with lots of stories to be shared ...

 

Prior to joining the Wichita State University family, Kevin Sylvester Harrison explored a variety of professional interests, including banking and finance, insurance and telecommunications. After graduating from Wichita State in 1994, Kevin went on tour following his dreams and passions of becoming a professional entertainer. Since returning, he has made various efforts to make positive impacts within the black community and the Wichita community at large. He has served on the board for the City of Wichita retirement planning team as appointed by previous city councilman George Rogers, as well as on the board for the Friends University Executive MBA team where he received his MBA in 2008. In Kevin’s current role as Community Engagement Coordinator for Dr. Marche’ Fleming-Randle, his responsibilities include creating projects and initiatives designed to embrace the community surrounding the university, and to assist Dr. Fleming-Randle in her efforts to continue growing the spirit of diversity and inclusion throughout all facets of campus life, and extend those efforts throughout the community. Kevin is a graduate of the Wichita State University’s doctoral program in Educational Leadership, where he pursued research interests in educational inequality and institutionalized racism.

 

 

 

 

Joe Jabara is currently the Director, Hub for Cybersecurity Education and Awareness at Wichita State University. He oversees the direction and curriculum of cybersecurity related fields at the university as well as promotes cybersecurity education and collaborating with the community at large.

He is a native of Wichita and received his Bachelor of Science Degree (cum laude) from Wichita State. He also holds a law degree from Washburn and is currently licensed to practice in the State of Kansas.

In June of 2019 Joe retired from a 30-year military career in which he was a lawyer for the Air Force and Air National Guard, before switching to command roles in Intelligence and Cyber Security. He is formerly the Wing Commander of the 184th Intelligence Wing, the largest combined Cyber/Intel in the Air National Guard, located at McConnell AFB, Kansas. He is a graduate of both Air War College and the Advanced Joint Warfighting Course. Joe was also on the Senior Executive Diversity Committee for the Air National Guard.

Joe teaches Essentials of Cybersecurity, Human Threats to Cybersecurity, Leadership for Engineers, and Intelligence Law and Ethics. He is a current contributing writer for ClearanceJobs.com and is a member of InfraGuard, MS-ISAC, and NICE Working Group as well as AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association). He also serves on both the University Diversity Council and Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Rusty Leeds has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Leadership from Friends University. He is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy. Mr. Leeds retired as a Command Staff member from the Wichita Police Department after 29 years of service. He continues his service in local government as an Assistant County Manager overseeing the Public Safety Division for Sedgwick County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenda Martens is a graduate from Wichita State University (WSU) with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Administration of Justice (WSU).  

Glenda began working in corrections in 1994 as an adult and juvenile Court Services Officer for the 19th Judicial District (Cowley County) in Winfield, Kansas. In 1998, she was the assigned facilitator for the 19th Judicial District Planning Team to develop and implement the Juvenile Justice Strategic Plan. In 2000, she was promoted as the Administrator for Cowley County Youth Services. She was instrumental in implementation and development of the new juvenile justice programs and overseeing all daily operations of the juvenile programs. Glenda was appointed by Governor Graves to serve on the Kansas Advisory Group on Delinquency and Prevention for 4 years from 1999-2003.

In 2002, Glenda was hired by Wichita State University as a Research Director to manage a federal research grant on recidivism under Dr. Delores Craig-Moreland.  In 2004, she managed the Sedgwick County at Judge James V. Riddel Boys Ranch (JRBR) a youth residential facility.  When the facility closed in 2014, see became the Special Projects Manager/PREA Coordinator for the Dept. of Corrections. In 2016, Glenda was promoted by the County Manager to Director of the Dept. of Corrections where she has assumed responsibilities for the largest corrections agency in the state and serves as the administrative contact for Sedgwick County for the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Glenda resides in Derby, Kansas with her husband Kim Martens. They are both avid Shocker basketball fans.

 

Captain Lem Moore is a 29-year veteran of the Wichita Police Department who began his career in January of 1991, after serving 8 years in the United Sates Marine Corps Reserve. He was assigned to the Patrol East and Patrol North Bureaus, and served as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and School Liaison Officer, as well as a Community Affairs Coordinator and a Missing and Abducted Children Investigator.

In June of 2002, Lem was promoted to the rank of Detective and worked in multiple sections such as the Undercover Narcotic Section, the Financial Crimes Unit, and the Exploited and Missing Child Unit. In November of 2005, Lem was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, assigned to the Patrol South Bureau on 2nd Watch. While at that rank he also served as the Special Event Coordinator, as a Professional Standard’s supervisor, and the In-Service Training Coordinator. In April of 2014, Lem was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned as a 3rd Watch/Special Community Action Team (SCAT) Commander at Patrol West. After serving one year in that position, he was then transferred to the Wichita Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center to instruct three police recruit class. Prior to making the rank of Captain, Lem also worked at Patrol West as the 2nd Watch/CP Commander.

On April 01, 2017, Lem was promoted to the rank of Captain. He was assigned as the Bureau Commander for Technical Services and Property Crimes Bureau. After serving in that position for 2 years, he was assigned to the Patrol North Bureau and supervised 110 personnel. Captain Moore is currently assigned to the Wichita Law Enforcement Training Center on the Wichita State University Campus as the commander in charge of police recruit training and continuing education for commissioned Wichita Police Officers.

Lem has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from Tabor College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Wichita State University. Lem also has served four years on the Board of Directors with the Wichita Family Crisis Center and is currently the Vice President on the Police and Fire Retirement Board of Directors.

Lem is the proud father of two young ladies, one who serves in the United States Army and the other a Wichita State University graduate in dental hygiene/ Master Degree in Medical Office Management from Friends University.

In 1995, Susan received her bachelor’s degree in Business from Kansas Newman College (now Newman University). Susan went on to receive her Master’s from Newman in Adult and Continuing Education. In 2006 she acquired the American Society of Training and Development’s certification as a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP).

Susan has held positions as Dean of Adult and Continuing Education at Newman University, Director of Firmwide Learning for Kennedy and Coe, LLC (a mid-western regional firm of accountants and financial planners), and Dean of Corporate Education at Cowley County Community College. Since 2008 she has held various positions at Wichita State University including Director of Satellite Campuses and Workforce Development and her current position as the Director of the Office of Online and Adult Learning. This current position at Wichita State University is charged with the recruitment and retention of the post-traditional population returning to Wichita State to finish baccalaureate degrees.

As a true adult learner, Susan continued her educational pursuits in 2007 when she received her PhD in Adult and Continuing Education at Kansas State University, Manhattan. Her dissertation topic was “The new reality: participation of elected government officials in the state of Kansas in emergency management training post September 11, 2001.” Her continued research interests include participation in continuing education, elected officials and participation in emergency management training, and barriers to participation in continuing education.

Susan has co-authored “Educating Rita: An Examination of the Female Life Course and its Influence on Womens Participation in Higher Education” for New Horizons in Adult Education. She has also presented at conferences and training in the state of Kansas on elected officials needs for training and engagement in NIMS and ICS training. In 2007 she was asked to participate as a panelist at the Heartland Centers Cross Borders Strategic Workforce Development Retreat in St. Louis and as a co-presenter at the Governor’s public health conference in Hutchinson, KS. She is a Kansas Public Health Leadership Initiative scholar and has served as a mentor for two years for other program scholars. In 2011 Susan became a graduate of the Harvard graduate school of education Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.

Susan has been honored with the 2019 Presidential Award from the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE), she was named a 2016 Women in Business but the Wichita Business Journal, and she was named a Kansas Public Health Institute scholar in 2007, and served as a mentor in the program in 2009 and 2011. She currently serves on the Haysville Historic Committee and the USD 261 School Board.

Susan and her husband Tim are the parents of five grown children and ten “perfect” grandchildren.

Elizabeth C. “Tammy” Snow has served the Wichita Fire Department as the Fire Chief since November 2017. She leads the largest fire department in the State of Kansas which is recognized by local residents for its excellence, consistently giving it high marks in surveys of services. The department includes over 400 commissioned personnel operating from 22 fire stations.

Chief Snow began her fire service career in 1988 as a firefighter, working through the ranks to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, division chief, deputy chief and now Fire Chief. She is instrumental in the organization of an annual regional fire school, Wichita HOT (http://www.wichitahot.com/), which continues to grow each year since its inception in 2006 and is recognized as the premier fire school in the Midwest. Additionally, she plays a vital role in the Fire Explorers program. She is very active in the community and holds numerous positions on a variety of community service executive boards. She is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Kansas Fire Chiefs Association, Sedgwick County Fire Chiefs Association, Ks-FORCe and plays a key role in the organization of the yearly Kansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial that is hosted each October in Wichita, Kansas. Recently, she was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for National Fallen Firefighters Foundation First Responders Center for Excellence which is committed to the health, safety and the wellbeing of all public safety personnel.

She has been recognized for her commitment to the community by receiving the Excellence in Public Service Award (2007) by the Devore Foundation. Snow has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Wichita State University. Prior to joining the fire service, she taught and coached at the secondary level for seven years where she was awarded several teaching and coaching accolades. Chief Snow is also a graduate of the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs.

 

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Joshua Urban is a member of the Kansas Army National Guard. He currently serves as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the 635th Regional Support Group headquartered in Wichita. LTC Urban is an Aviation Officer with 18 years of service as a military leader and a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. He received his B.A. in Education from Pittsburg State University and commissioned through PSU Army ROTC in May of 2004. LTC Urban graduated from Officer Basic Course and Flight School in May 2005. LTC Urban is scheduled to complete his graduate course work in December 2020 and earned his Master's of Business and Organizational Leadership through the University of Kansas School of Business. He is a veteran who has completed two deployments. LTC Urban has been married to his wife Ashley for 21 years and has two sons.

 

 

 

 

 

Major General David A. Weishaar was appointed the Adjutant General of Kansas on April 1, 2020.

As the Adjutant General, he leads the 7,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Kansas Army and Air National Guard and is the principal military advisor to the Governor. General Weishaar also serves as the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor, where he is responsible for the development and implementation of homeland security strategies for Kansas. Finally, he serves as the Director of Emergency Management for the state of Kansas, where he formulates Kansas emergency management approaches and coordinates the efforts of 105 county emergency managers to ensure the protection of life and property within the state.

General Weishaar joined the Air Force in 1981 as an aircraft maintenance specialist. In 1985, he transitioned to the Kansas Air National Guard, holding various positions in the aircraft maintenance arena, rising from the lowest enlisted rank of E-1, Airman Basic to E-8, Senior Master Sergeant. In 1996, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant after graduating as a Distinguished Graduate from the Air National Guard’s Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tennessee.

As an officer, Weishaar has a wide variety of experience and commands, to include Commander of the 184th Communications Flight, Commander of the 127th Command and Control Squadron, Commander of the 299th Network Operations Security Squadron, Commander of the 184th Intelligence Wing’s Mission Support Group, and Wing Commander of the 184th Intelligence Wing.

Prior to his appointment as Adjutant General, Major General Weishaar was assigned as the Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Kansas Air National Guard, where his Airmen provided daily intelligence, cyber, computer networking, air control, air refueling, and Joint Tactical Air Controller support to America’s warfighters across the globe.

General Weishaar has a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Friends University. He is a graduate of Air Command and Staff College, Air War College, Joint Combined Warfighter School and numerous other civilian and military courses.

Major General Weishaar and his wife Mary reside in Topeka, KS. They have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Education
1992 Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, Friends University, Wichita, Kan.
1996 Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2002 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2006 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2010 Air War College, by correspondence
2013 Joint and Combined Warfighter School, Norfolk NAS, Va.
2017 Leadership in Homeland Security, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Mass.