HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Leadership Reno County Committee announces its 2026 class. The graduation celebration was held on November 5 at 5:30 pm at the Hutchinson Art Center.
2026 Leadership Reno County Class
- William Badu, City of Hutchinson
- Jessica Basgall, Data Center Inc
- Alexis Dosch, Guild Mortgage
- Arlin Eicher, Oak Contracting
- Becky Gleason, Plaza-Astle
- Paige Harman, City of South Hutchinson
- Bernadette Hiebert, Lange Real Estate
- Meg Hilst, Hutchinson Community Foundation
- Sara Howard, City of Buhler
- Garret Leslie, Hutchinson Police Department
- Helen M. Foster, Reno County
- Melissa McElheney, Hutchinson-Reno County Emergency Communications
- Tyler McIntyre, New Beginnings
- Kelsey Obermite, Heartland Credit Union
- Erin O’Connor, Horizons Mental Health Center
- Megan Ratzlaff, RCB Bank
- Mackenzie Robinson, Hutchinson-Reno County Emergency Communications
- Kaili Stowers, City of Hutchinson
- Stephanie Vigil, Lowen Corporation
- Stacy Voss, Horizons Mental Health Center
- Jane Wagler, City of Hutchinson
- Aaron Whittington, New Beginnings
- Merril Yoder, Nisly Brothers Trash Service
- Doug Yutzy, Self-employed
- Karlin Zook, Rock Rentals
The purpose of Leadership Reno County, a program of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce and Hutchinson Community Foundation, is to strengthen the network and effectiveness of leadership capacities in Reno County by:
- Inspiring participants to embrace a broader role for their organizations and businesses within the context of Reno County.
- Educating participants on the Kansas Leadership Center (Wichita, KS) theory of civic leadership principles and competencies.
- Connecting participants to each other, LRC and, in time, future and past leadership participants.
The class meets over 7 sessions from August through November, including an overnight retreat. They meet in locations around the county, tour businesses and nonprofits, attend city council and Board of Education meetings, participate in peer consultation groups, and engage local panelists representing the social services, education, local government, economic development, and healthcare.
Originally known as Leadership Hutchinson when it began in 1984, the program was renamed Leadership Reno County in 2005 and was revamped to provide skill-based training with the purpose of increasing participants' level of civic engagement. Since its inception, more than 1,000 residents who either work or live in Reno County have participated in 42 classes.
Leadership Reno County is facilitated by Jackson Swearer, Dashona Mahoney, and Shane Iwashige. The Leadership Reno County Committee is chaired by Jacqui Homewood.
To make a recommendation for the 2027 Leadership Reno County class, please send a name and email address to [email protected]. For more information on participating in LRC, visit https://www.hutchchamber.com/welcome-to-hutch/leadership-reno-county or email [email protected].
