FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 31, 2006

Contact information: Ryan Entz, 268-1152

Wichita Metro Chamber Chooses 2006 Leadership Wichita Class

Wichita, KS. – Twenty-four Wichita area citizens have been chosen to participate in the Leadership Wichita class of 2006, a leadership training program presented by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Members are selected through a nomination process; the program’s Board of Trustees selects 24 participants from the candidates who have submitted a formal application.

"The future of any community is contingent on the quality of its leaders, and we believe the individuals in this year's class truly represent the diversity and strength of a region poised to succeed," says Caroline Williams, Westar Energy vice president customer care and chair of the Leadership Board of Trustees. "This top-notch program is designed to call each graduate to either a new or expanded community leadership role. It is designed to help them engage in community involvement and inspire them to get involved in what they are passionate about."

Class of 2006 members:

Ms. Brenda K. Beverage, Senior Vice President/HR Director, Fidelity Bank

Ms. Joan S. Carter, Communications Manager, The Coleman Company, Inc.

Ms. Karen I. Countryman-Roswurm, Therapist/Coordinator of Girls Programming, Wichita Child Guidance Center

Mr. Mark L. Dennett, Senior VP, Commercial Lending Division, INTRUST Bank, N.A.

Mr. Craig Duerksen, Vice President Commercial Banking, Commerce Bank, N.A.

Mr. Jeffrey J. Englert, Commercial Advisor, Grubb & Ellis/Martens Commercial Group

Mr. Gregory N. Epp, Vice President and Controller, LodgeWorks, LP

Ms. Deborah Fischer Stout, Director of Sales and Marketing, PBA Architects

Lt. Col. Ross W. Flynn, Commander, ANG NOSC, Kansas Air National Guard

Ms. Tonya Godinez, Contracts Administrator, Plastic Fabricating Company, Inc.

Ms. Lisa A. Hansen, Vice President Finance, Wichita Festivals, Inc.

Mr. Mark E. Heiman, Senior Vice President, Bank of America

Col. Robert L. Hinshaw, Undersheriff, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office

Ms. Denise M. Hunter-Mitchell, Senior VP of Programs, Urban League of the MidPlains

Ms. MaryEllen Isaac, Chief Academic Officer, Wichita Public Schools

Mr. Richard L. Kilgour, Senior Customer Advocate, LSI Logic

Ms. Jennifer Knight, Director of Development, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation

Mr. Kin Y. Ma, Operations Intelligence Analyst, United States Air Force

Mr. Nelson L. Mosley, Police Captain, Wichita Police Department

Mr. Derrick L. Nielsen, Senior Consultant, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C.

Mr. Andrew J. Nolan, Partner, Foulston Siefkin LLP

Mr. Adam M. Pogue, Strut/Nacelle Operations Director, Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.

Ms. Jenna Unruh, Event and Communication Coordinator, Kansas Health Foundation

Mr. Jimmy L. Washington, Business Manager, Westar Energy

Since its inception in 1983, nearly 500 community leaders have participated in the Leadership Wichita program. The first session starts on Sept. 7 and concludes Nov. 16 with a recognition event. The focus of Leadership Wichita is to identify, inform and inspire leaders in the Wichita metro area for greater involvement in the community.