By Jack Lindquist
Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program honored the graduating class of the training experience for Fort Riley, Geary, Riley and Pottawatomie Counties at the Columbian Theater, Wamego.
Executive Director Jack Lindquist introduced the class of twenty for plaque presentations. “Being the twenty-ninth year since the programs founding, we found a renewed sense of focus to make sure we had great programming to match our exceptional participants. We found, through our team leadership module interaction, that championing causes that focused on better life and livelihood was a common and frequently chosen path.” Lindquist announced.
“The twenty participants found they could work with any other combination of team members within this diverse class and given that, vastly increased their confidence in collaborative skills. They found and embraced the most important component of true servant leadership and earned the moniker ‘The Pathfinders’ class.” Lindquist added. “We are confident you will continue to lead by tapping into your future team’s collective aptitude while channeling their deep-rooted compassion and desire to find a better path for a better future.” Lindquist concluded.
The class of 20 includes:
Christine Benne Riley County
Manhattan
Regional Volunteer, including Manhattan Military Relations Committee, Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation Board; Friends of Fort Riley Museums Board; AUSA & Flint Hills Veterans Coalition
Casey Biesenthal Pottawatomie County
Wamego
Mortgage Loan Officer, Bank of the Flint Hills
Christian Bishop Wabaunsee County
Manhattan
Protocol Specialist, First Infantry Division Headquarters, Fort Riley
Andrew Darrow Geary County
Junction City
IT Director, City of Manhattan
Cade Dover Pottawatomie County
Saint George
District Operations Manager, EVERGY
David Easterling Geary County
Junction City
Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Army Substance Abuse Program/DHR @ USAG Fort Riley
Josh Gering Riley County
Manhattan
Assistant Director, Riley County EMS
Travis Godfrey Geary County
Junction City
Outside Sales Manager,
Godfrey's Indoor Ranges & Tactical Supply
Becky Goff Riley County
Keats
WIBW-TV Regional News Reporter and Multimedia Journalist, Geary, Riley, Pottawatomie Counties
Vanessa Gray Geary County
Junction City
Director of the Junction City Animal Shelter
Marc Greene Geary County
Fort Riley
Deputy Garrison Safety Director, USAG Fort Riley
Shannon Horton Riley County
Manhattan
Director of Growing Nurturing Families, TFI Family Services
George Kandt Riley County
Manhattan
Business Retention & Expansion Mgr., Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce
Matthew Lindquist Riley County
Manhattan
Administrator, Stonecreek Family Physicians
Jeremy McDiffett Wabaunsee County
Alta Vista
Information Technology Manager,
K-State College of Veterinary Medicine
Vivienne Uccello Riley County
Manhattan
Public Information Officer for Riley County
Devin Wendt Pottawatomie County
Manhattan
Lead Pastor, Crestview Christian Church
Wendy Winston Riley County
Manhattan
Division Chief, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation @ USAG Ft Riley
Nancy Zenger-Beneda Riley County
Manhattan
Executive Director, Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
Eric Zenk Pottawatomie County
Manhattan
Special Emphasis & Disability Program Manager,
Equal Employment Opportunity Office @ USAG Fort Riley
During the event, Chair Chris Bowman introduced Keynote Jared Estes, Wichita, selected for his work to overcome tragedy and adversity. “Jared Estes inspires others and shares a vision and pathway we should all take to heart and put into practice. Our new leaders will reflect on the message to be dedicated to drawing from others for strength and working to protect and preserve the relationships necessary to better our quality of life.”
The new FHRLP Board members, selected by their classmates, are Christian Bishop, Wamego and Cade Dover, St George. The representatives each provided reflection on the year and Jeremy McDiffett, Alta Vista, joined them to announce the class project – A baseball diamond renovation in Alta Vista and Mini Library in Saint George.