Category: News

Katie Brown is the Manager of Marketing and Communications for the EuroTech helicopter service company. EuroTech has an office in Eudora and a production facility at Lawrence Municipal Airport. Their services include aircraft sales, rentals and leasing, maintenance and modifications, custom completions, sales of parts and components, and consulting. EuroTech has been in business 25 years and employs 25 workers, serving customers all over the world. Katie said EuroTech is a great place to work for “aviation nerds.” She told about a project involving special modifications on a helicopter for scientific use in the Arctic. EuroTech is involved in the community, providing tours and sponsoring a Youth Aviation Camp. The company also has facilities in Canada and Japan.

Chuck Udell is Rotary District 5710 Governor and a third generation Rotarian. He is a long time member of the Leawood Club where he was a past President. Chuck has served in numerous District leadership roles, including Membership Chair, Peace Fellowship Chair, and Panama Vocational Training Chair. Chuck complimented the club on various projects and achievements and described District resources and projects. District Goals for the year include encouraging engagement and thinking outside the box, growing the Rotary Foundation, raising mental health awareness and efforts to prevent human trafficking. He challenged the club to be a force for good.

Gina Meier-Hummel, Executive Director of O’Connell Children’s Shelter, spoke about the work of caring for children removed from the home. Gina presides over a residential ranch facility and two residential homes and 50 staff members. These children and their families are at risk for a variety of reasons and the Shelter provides wrap around services to provide stability. Services include employment assistance, mental health counseling and referral, food assistance, tutoring, foster care, and emergency shelter. There is also a garden program and a new kitchen. Gina has 31 years of experience working with at risk youth and previously served as Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and families.

Shannon Kimball is a fourteen year member of the Lawrence District School Board and a Government Relations Specialist for the Kansas Association of School Boards. Shannon has made a career in education law and does legislative advocacy and training with local school boards. She described how public education is being threatened on the state and federal levels. These threats are a result of culture wars, the voucher movement, micromanaging, funding reduction, and deliberate destabilization. Shannon cited statistics to counter the argument that the Department of Education is a bloated bureaucracy. Citizens need to be informed of these threats and understand the value of public education to our communities.

Kirsten Shook is the Program Manager for Work For Success in Topeka and Lawrence. Work For Success is a free program of Mirror, a non profit private corporation founded in 1972. The organization provides personal and professional development for the under employed, the unemployed and individuals released from incarceration. Services include teaching life skills, employment skills, peer support, financial literacy, parenting skills, fitness and health, referrals and advocacy. Help is also provided for transportation, securing housing and ID documents. Technology training and substance misuse programs are also available. Kirsten also works with District 5710 Action Against Human Trafficking Club.