Business & Industry, term expires 12/31/2012

Mr. Gerald Lauber, President, Kaw Valley Bank, Topeka, KS

Mr. Lauber made Topeka his home in 1971 when he moved from Woodson County to attend Washburn University. He graduated with a degree in business administration.  

Serving as President of Kaw Valley Bank since 1982, Mr. Lauber remains involved with Topeka economic development, business and industry. He is on the board of the North Topeka Business Alliance and was appointed by Governor Sebelius as a commissioner for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Economic Development, Health Occupations, term expires 12/31/2012

Ms. Deborah Thompson, Vice President of Human Resources, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, KS

Ms. Thompson is responsible for human resources, education and learning services, and the business health center services line. Prior to LMH, she worked for Payless Shoe Source in executive recruitment, organization development, and employee relations roles. She also was with Heidelberg Web Press in Ft. Worth, Texas, where she was responsible for human resources functions for a precision machining facility. Ms. Thompson received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Emporia State University and an MBA with an emphasis in human resources from the University of Kansas. She holds Senior Professional Human Resources certification. 

Operator, Degree Granting Institution, term expires 12/31/2011

Ms. Tunya Carr, Vice President, National American University, Overland Park, KS

Ms. Carr holds a Master of Science degree from Kansas State University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis. She is now pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Walden University. Ms. Carr serves on the board for the Missouri and Kansas Association of Private Career Colleges and Schools and is active in three Chamber of Commerce organizations.  She was also a member of the Transition Team for the Kansas Board of Regents.  

Operator, Degree Granting Institution, term expires 12/31/2012

Mr. Jerrad Tausz, J.D. Regional Vice President for the Midwest Region, University of Phoenix, Kansas

Mr. Tausz, has served in a variety of leadership and teaching roles in local and state venues. He was most recently the Regional Vice President for the Plains Region. Prior to this he was Vice-President and Campus Director for the Kansas and Missouri Campuses. He was also Vice-President and campus Director at Washington, Oregon and Nevada campuses. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with emphasis in Mass Media, from the University of Iowa, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. 

Operator, term expires 12/31/2012

David Parmenter,  Ed. D. (Candidate), Corporate Vice President, Director of Education, Wright Career College, Overland Park, KS

Mr. Parmenter is the Corporate Vice President for Wright Career Colleges in Overland Park, KS, Oklahoma City, OK, and Tulsa, OK.  He is also a Senior Adjunct Instructor for Park University. David has a Bachelor of Arts in Business with an emphasis in International Management, a Master of Science in Management, and a Master of Arts in Education.  David is currently a doctoral student in Educational Leadership. 

Owner (less than 125 enrollment), term expires 12/31/2012

Ms. Lee Lookingbill, Total Health Works, Wichita, KS

Ms. Lookingbill owns and manages Total Healthworks, a professional massage training school in Wichita, Ks. She works with national companies to bring in a wide range of professional instructors to her students. She has received certified professional training from throughout the United States and worked with the Iron Man Athletes in Hawaii. Her school also works with the Lymphoma Society, Cessna Activity Center and the Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride. Paula has served 17 ½ years in the Air National Guard, plus four years of active duty in the Air Force. She is an active advocate for improving local and state laws regarding professional massage therapy.

Operator (less than 125 enrollment), term expires 12/31/2012

Mr. Jeremy Cooper, Executive Director, Pinnacle Career Institute, Lawrence, KS

Mr. Cooper has a bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from DeVry University and an Associate of Applied Science in Management from Louisiana State University. Jeremy is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education with an Enrollment Management Specialization He is a United States Navy Veteran and holds national certifications as an Emergency Medical Technician and is a Certified Phlebotomist. Previous to becoming the Executive Director at Pinnacle Career Institute in Lawrence, he was with DeVry University in Kansas City, Missouri. He also opened the DeVry University Center in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Secondary Education, term expires 12/31/2012

Dr. Linda Wiley, Principal, Topeka High School, Topeka, KS

Dr. Wiley has served as a high school classroom teacher and curriculum coordinator, a K-12 technology specialist, and a high school assistant and associate principal. Currently, Dr. Wiley is the principal at Topeka High School. Dr. Wiley has always placed student achievement and academic rigor as her highest priority. She has lead the efforts at Topeka High School to provide a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum for all students. New programs have been implemented to ensure that all students at Topeka High School, and particularly those who perform in the middle, are ready for postsecondary schools if they so desire.

Postsecondary Education, term expires 12/31/2012

Dr. Herb Songer, University Professor Emeritus, Fort Hays State University

Dr. Songer holds a Ph.D. in Counseling & Student Personnel Administration from Kansas State University and completed both his master’s degree in guidance and counseling and a bachelor’s degree in physical education at Fort Hays State University. After thirty years at FHSU, he is retired (Emeritus status) as Vice President for Student Affairs at Fort Hays State University, Assistant VP for Student Development, Assistant Professor and Associate Dean of Students. He also served as Senior Personnel Specialist, U.S. Army, Vietnam, battalion-level personnel office. Dr. Songer has fulfilled multiple leadership roles for postsecondary education in state and national civic and professional organizations.