Debra Franklin
AVP, Strategic Initiatives
Debbie coordinates, prioritizes, and pursues resources for the regional advanced manufacturing
strategic plan initiatives, collaborates with partner institutions to provide technical
assistance to existing businesses and startup firms for technology transfer and transition/migration,
and develops university-level proposals for government grants and contracts. She is
committed to advancing an innovation ecosystem with industry that promotes technology-based
economic development.
Tracee Friess
Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing
Tracee leads communication and publicity initiatives for WSU Initiatives, and is the
Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing for Wichita State
University’s Industry and Defense Programs. Tracee is working with univeristy innovators
and engineers to form strategic industry partnerships centered on solving problems
and providing applied learning opportunities for Wichita State University students.
She has more than fifteen years of experience in communications; specializing in public
relations, news and copywriting, event planning, advertising and social media. She
is adept at grasping complex technical details and communicating them to a broad audience.
Her industry experience and knowledge of university resources allow her to skillfully
navigate both arenas.
Sherry (Gegen) Whitson
Strategic Initiatives Program Director
Sherry facilitates interactions with external inventors, entrepreneurs and small/medium
size businesses to facilitate collaboration with community and industry partners.
Her extensive knowledge of state and federal-funded training programs, economic development
and workforce development strategies and resources allows her to successfully connect
Kansas business with Wichita State University resources, government resources and
the local workforce system.
Angie Myrtle
Project Manager
Angie brings over 15 years of experience in administration and education to the department.
She strives to embody the WSU principles of being Professional, Responsive, Open,
Dependable and Understanding.
Angie supports staff, faculty, students and community partners at Wichita State University, daily. Her role at Strategic Initiatives includes project management primarily focusing on expanding financials, grant funding, procurements, payments, and assets. Angie aids in office administrative duties as well.
Hannah Domebo
Marketing & Research - Student Assistant
Hannah Domebo is the student assistant at WSU Strategic Initiatives, she handles all
kinds of initiatives, such as, working closely with the American Manufacturing Communities
Collaborative, assisting with grant research, and promoting and planning events hosted
by WSU Strategic Initiatives. Hannah is currently studying Forensic Science at Wichita
State and wants to be a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI). Hannah will graduate with
her BS in Spring 2024.
Phone: (316) 978-5218
Dana Schirer
IDP Grant Development Specialist
Dana collaborates with internal and external partners to research, lead, write, and
develop competitive grant applications to support the Industry and Defense programs.
Her extensive experience in building relationships with industry, education, and community
organizations and knowledge of state and federal funding opportunities provides the
ability to develop competitive economic and workforce development projects.
Phone: (316) 978-6399
Diann Gregg
IDP Project Manager
Diann develops project plans, creates schedules, and ensures task deliverables meet
expectations by collaborating with project contributors to assess and ensure successful
program outcomes. Her extensive experience in workforce funded training, file monitoring,
registered apprentice program coordination, and connections to local business and
industry are instrumental in managing the details, collaborating with partners, and
ensuring successful grant project compliance and completion.
Phone: (316) 978-6449
Jeremy Gibbs
IDP Project Manager
Jeremy Gibbs is a seasoned professional with a multifaceted background in government
tax and accounting team management, aerospace finance analysis and supply chain project
management. With years of experience leading teams in the intricacies of government
taxation and accounting, Jeremy seamlessly transitioned into the aerospace sector,
where he continued honing his skills as a financial analyst before transitioning roles
to become project manager for supply chain operations, where he found his passion
for delivering successful products from start to finish. Armed with a bachelor's degree
in Entrepreneurship from Wichita State and a master's in Project Management, Jeremy
embodies a commitment to driving change and achieving results. He prides himself on
being a process improver and vision-to-action catalyst, constantly challenging the
status quo to realize ambitious goals. Jeremy's unwavering belief in his ability to
accomplish anything, given the time and resources, fuels his drive for excellence
in every endeavor.
Phone: (316) 978-6406
