December 17, 2012 (Mission, Kansas)—Bill Menge, Smart Grid Director for KCP&L, has been elected the 2013 Chair of the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. Menge succeeds Dr. Gene Johnson, Superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District as Chairman of the Board.
The NEJC Chamber is also pleased to announce its newly elected members of the Board of Directors: Richard France, Johnson County Community College, David Swinehart, Commerce Bank and Beverly Williamson, DocInk. The new board members will take office in January 2013 and their terms will expire in 2015.
“I am excited to be working with our new board members. They will provide good insight and help to accomplish the Chamber goal of helping small businesses grow,” said Deb Settle, President and CEO of the NEJC Chamber of Commerce.

     2013 Board Members also include: Chair Elect, Diana Davis, Community America Credit Union, Vice Chair, Dale Warman, City of Prairie Village Councilmember, Treasurer, Karen Schefter, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Secretary, Christy Humerickhouse, City of Mission, Past Chair, Dr. Gene Johnson, Superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District, Legal Counsel, Brett Coonrod, Smith, Coonrod, Mohlman, LLC, Linda Adams, Cherry Pickers, Jeff Herman, Ed O’Connor, PC Partners, Jose Ramirez, Moss Printing, Nancy Wallerstein, Johnson County Parks and Recreation, and David E. Waters, Lathrop & Gage, LLC.

     The NEJC Chamber of Commerce serves the cities of Fairway, Merriam, Mission, Mission Hills, Mission Woods, Northern Overland Park, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, Westwood and Westwood Hills.

The Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce their Class of 2013.

Leadership Northeast is an education leadership program that consists of nine sessions devoted to identifying and strengthening the leadership skills of participants and putting that knowledge into action in the Northeast Johnson County communities. Some of the core components of the course include: leadership styles, volunteerism, community building, state government, economic development, county government, public safety and regional issues.

Each of the sessions will focus on an area of leadership development. Crucial skills will be fostered through various speakers, hands-on experiences, community involvement, meetings with key leaders in the NEJC community and working with fellow class members to identify potential solutions. Graduates of Leadership Northeast have gone on to serve in leadership capacities in their organizations, their neighborhoods and in city and state government.

Class of 2013

Todd Boyer, Kansas City Public Library

Chris Coffman, Affiliated Management Services

Amy Dillon, Shawnee Mission School District

Richard France, Johnson County Community College

Becky Fast, City of Roeland Park, Councilmember

Erik Haberkorn, ReTouch

Cpt. Ben Hadley, City of Mission Police Department

Melissa Harris, Merriam Park Elementary PTA

Joshua Hill, Foulston Siefkin

Kim Huyett, University of Kansas Medical Center

Laura Knight, ISS World

Kathy Lockard, Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center

Amy Meunier, Brighton Gardens of Prairie Village

Vincent Miller, Johnson County Community College

Kinsley Riggs, Johnson County Library

Anna Slocum, Merriam Parks and Recreation Department

Lt. Ken Smith, City of Mission Police Department

Becca Wagner, First National Bank of Kansas

Ken Werne, Johnson County Library

Kim Young, City of Fairway

Click below to see more about the curriculum, dates and information on this year’s program:

Leadership Northeast Promotional Materials 2013

Show your appreciation for their strong commitment to the northeast business community by nominating them for a 2012 NEJC Chamber Business Award!

Each year the NEJC Chamber awards four members the title of:

Small Business of the Year

Corporate Business of the Year

New Business of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Criteria and Nomination Process

All nominees will be interviewed by NEJC Chamber President, Deb Settle, so they can show first hand the exemplary work their business does. Nominations and interviews will then be submitted to the NEJC Chamber Board of Directors and Annual Gala Committee to determine the top 3 nominees in each category.

The NEJC Chamber members will then vote on the top 3 nominees to determine the winner in each category. The winners will be honored the night of the Annual Gala, November 17 at the Overland Park Marriott.

You do not have to attend the Annual Gala to make a nomination. All NEJC Chamber members can nominate and multiple nominations are accepted.

View the Criteria and Nomination Form

Area chambers of commerce with members doing business in Johnson County are working together to help inform our members, their employees, and the citizens of Johnson County where the candidates stand on issues that are important to you.

Lauren is responsible for all programs and events with the Chamber including: Leadership Northeast, Annual Dinner, Golf Tournament and regular networking events. She also loves coming up with new ideas to get members and the community involved in supporting each other.

Previous to the Chamber, Lauren received a degree in Interior Design and minor in Leadership Studies from Kansas State University and has practiced at a local architecture firm and wholesale distributor showroom. Her most recent work has been with Hillcrest Covenant Church in Prairie Village where she heads up the Young Adult Ministry.

Lauren is also a graduate of the Kauffman FastTrac New Venture Program through UMKC, an Advisory Board Member for KIPP: Endeavor Academy in Kansas City, MO, and active in the Northland Tri Delta Alumni Group. Lauren loves Kansas City, and in particular the state of Kansas!