U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran today announced members of his Kansas Service Academy Selection Board.
On the board from Kansas City, Kan., is Wendell Maddox, United Way of Wyandotte County president and CEO. He is a U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
The 20-member board will review applications and interview candidates who are applying for admission to the U.S. service academies, including the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy. Those selected will enter the academy in 2017.
Applications will be reviewed and selected applicants will be interviewed by the selection board on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene.
“Our country is fortunate to have so many intelligent, hard-working and patriotic young men and women interested in serving our country through the armed forces,” Sen. Moran said. “I know the selection board will have a difficult time narrowing the field of qualified candidates, but I value their insight and thank them for their help.”
Other members of the 2016 Kansas Service Academy Selection Board include:
• Dennis Butler of Ottawa – Ottawa Chief of Police, law enforcement officer of 37 years;
• Ardith Dunn, of Satanta – Retired high school mathematics-computer instructor, superintendent, mother of U.S. Air Force Academy graduate;
• Marche Fleming-Randle, of Wichita – Wichita State University College of Liberal Arts and Science Assistant Dean and Assistant to the President for Diversity;
• Sue Givens of El Dorado – USD 490 Superintendent of Schools;
• Robin Jackson, of Hutchinson – Central Christian College Professor of Science and Mathematics;
• Melissa Jarboe of Topeka – Military Veteran Project Founder, widow of U.S. Army service member;
• Cheryl Kerns of Overland Park – Blue Valley West High School teacher, mother of U.S. Military Academy cadet;
• Brian Kessens of Overland Park – Tortoise Capital managing director, U.S. Military Academy graduate;
• Ryan Kriegshauser of Topeka – Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner Director of Policy and Special Counsel, lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves;
• Katrina Lewison of Manhattan – U.S. Military Academy graduate, Purple Heart recipient;
• Jill McCarthy of Overland Park – Kansas City Area Development Council Vice President of Business Development, mother of U.S. Military Academy graduate;
• John O’Leary of Wichita – Airbus Vice President of Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy graduate;
• Jayne Humphrey Pearce of Wallace –Wallace County Visitors Bureau Marketing and Tourism Director, U.S. Air Force veteran, mother of U.S. Air Force Academy graduate;
• Paula Ripple of Dodge City – Retired Dodge City High School English instructor, mother of U.S. Air Force Academy graduate;
• Sean Ritchie of Wichita – Cargill North American Operations Lead, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate;
• Delbert Stanton of Hays – Retired United Methodist Church minister and grandfather of three Air Force Academy graduates;
• Andy Tompkins of Topeka – Retired CEO, Kansas Board of Regents;
• Samuel Turner of Leawood – Retired Shawnee Mission Medical Center CEO, Vietnam War veteran, U.S. Army veteran; and
• Ron Whitney of Emporia – American Legion member, Veterans of Foreign Wars member, U.S. Army veteran.