The Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence & Douglas County is pleased to announce its slate of newly elected Board of Directors and Officers for 2019. Comprised of professional and government leaders from across Douglas County, the Board of Directors represents a wide range of industries and expertise that will be a great asset to help guide the EDC toward its goal of economic prosperity for the area. The EDC is halfway through its latest economic development capital campaign, Growing Forward, which goes through 2021.

The following members will serve on the Board for the coming year and officially began service on June 1, 2019.

Executive Officers

Chair: Marilyn Bittenbender, retired, Colliers International
Vice Chair: Pat Slabaugh, retired, Central Bank of the Midwest
Treasurer: Brad Burnside, U.S. Bank
Secretary: Steve Kelly, The Chamber & EDC

Board Members

*Gina Baun, Central Bank of the Midwest
Smitty Belcher, P1 Group
Steve Eck, Hallmark Cards
Joe Flannery, Weaver’s
*Bobbi Flory, Lawrence Home Builders Association
Mark Gonzales, Capitol Federal Savings Bank
Blake Hawley, Motega Health
Dave Hill, Mid America Bank
Russ Johnson, LMH Health
Bonnie Lowe, The Chamber, Lawrence, Kansas
Chad Luce, Westar Energy
Mike McGrew, McGrew Real Estate
Julie Nagel, Digital Nanogenetics
Kevin O’Malley, O’Malley Beverage of Kansas
J.Stewart, Terravest Custom Homes
Joe Terick, Black Hills Energy
G.R. Underwood, Bioscience & Technology Business Center
Cindy Yulich, Emprise Bank
Kurt von Achen, von Achen Architects

Ex-Officio Members

Joe Caldwell, Bartlett & West, current Board Chair for The Chamber
Michelle Derusseau, Douglas County
Matt Hoy, Stevens & Brand
Lisa Larsen, City of Lawrence
Tom Markus, City of Lawrence
Barack Matite, City of Eudora
Mike Orozco, U.S. Bank
Sarah Plinsky, Douglas County
Gary Rodden, Baldwin City
Diane Stoddard, City of Lawrence
Phil Struble, Landplan Engineer, P.A.

*denotes a new board member

About the Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence & Douglas County

The Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence & Douglas County is a partner of The Chamber, Lawrence, Kansas, the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, the University of Kansas, and the Bioscience & Technology Business Center. The mission of the EDC is to provide leadership and advocacy to the community in order to achieve job and wage growth, workforce development, an expanded tax base, and economic prosperity for the citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County.