Wichita, KS – (January 26, 2022) – Kansas Global Trade Services (KGTS) announces the 2022 Executive Board and Board of Directors elected on January 20, 2022 at their annual board meeting.
The Executive Board will welcome back Ronnie Leonard, CEO of Balco, as the chair, and Beau Jackson, Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP, as treasurer. Doug Keesling, Owner of Keesling Farms, will join the Executive Board as vice chair, and Parker Dooly, Vice President, Commercial Banking, JP Morgan Chase, will act as secretary. Laura Lombard, CEO of KGTS, serves as Executive Board president.
“It is an honor to continue serving the Kansas Global Executive Board. Our 2022 board has a wealth of expertise across industries and we are eager to work alongside CEO Laura Lombard to advance the mission of Kansas Global and help more Kansas businesses enjoy the economic benefits of international trade,” said Leonard.
In addition, the board voted to add Melissa Liby, Director of Industrialization, Strategies & Government Relations of Bombardier to the KGTS Board of Directors. A Kansas native, Liby began her career at Bombardier in 1999 and has held multiple roles with the finance organization, supporting sales, marketing, and cost accounting. In 2018, she became responsible for local and state government relations. In addition, Liby promotes efficiencies across the production line and on strategic projects and leads footprint optimization projects for the Wichita site.
“I am excited to bring my experience to the Kansas Global board, where my expertise in aviation, finance, marketing, and government relations will help make a difference for Kansas businesses,” said Liby.
Lastly, Susan Schlapp’s term on the Board of Directors concluded after seven years of service. Schlapp formerly served on the Wichita City Council and as Senior Constituent Liaison to the Kansas Department of Commerce. In both roles, she promoted economic development and brought her wealth of public sector knowledge and experience to the Kansas Global Board of Directors.
“Sue Schlapp was an excellent advisor to the board, my predecessor, and me,” stated Lombard. “I only had the opportunity to work with her for a few months, but I learned a lot from her in that short period of time.”
The 2022 KGTS Board of Directors and CEO Laura Lombard are excited to bring additional expertise to the board that expands the organization’s regional reach, sectoral expertise, and strategic capabilities. The board’s strength helps to support Kansas companies and municipalities pursuing increased revenue and economic opportunities.
The 2022 KGTS Board of Directors includes: Beau Jackson: Partner, Husch Blackwell; Mark Fischer: Owner, Fischer Irrigation; Patty Koehler: CEO, JR Custom Metal; David Rosenberg: CFO, Textron Aviation; Ray Garvey: Export Manager, The Grasshopper Company; Parker Dooly: VP – Commercial Banker CFA, JP Morgan Chase; Ronnie Leonard: President & CEO, Balco; Melissa Liby: Director of Industrialization, Strategies & Governmental Relations, Bombardier; Troy Estes: President, Vektek; Mark Wingate: President, Maxi Volt Corporation, Doug Keesling: Owner, Kessling Farms; Laura Lombard: CEO, Kansas Global Trade Services.
About Kansas Global Trade Services, Inc.
Kansas Global Trade Services is an international trade consulting firm that provides customized consulting and export services to help businesses, governments, and other organizations establish, expand, and strengthen their presence and participation in international markets. Since 1987, our experienced export assistance professionals have helped our clients design market-entry strategies that cut through red tape, identify, and leverage partnership opportunities, overcome documentation challenges, and fast-track sales and relationships abroad.
