Board Members
“ I have always thought the EF meetings were some of the most productive meetings I ever attended. The focus is on how we can help clients with specific needs. It is how your ideas could possibly help an entrepreneur achieve their goal of success.” ~ Lois Pelton
Board Chairman
- Masters of Science Degree in Adult Education with an emphasis on Extension Education from Kansas State University.
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Kansas State University.
- Recipient of the Kansas State Research and Extension Team Award for Innovating and Programming for his work on the Delaware Watershed Atrazine Education Program and Innovative Dairy Education Efforts.
- Certified Community Coach earned through the Center for Engagement and Community Development, Kansas State University, Manhattan Kansas.
- (2006 – Current) Meadowlark Extension District Director and Community Economic Development Specialist. The extension district covers Nemaha, Jackson and Jefferson counties in Northeast Kansas.
- Previous: (1988-2006) County Extension Agent in Seneca, Kansas serving Nemaha County.
In 2010, David Key worked with Janet Miller, previous NEKEF Facilitator, to develop the Northeast Kansas Entrepreneurship Academy for teens interested in entrepreneurship. An ongoing project the Entrepreneurship Academy has graduated forty nine students of which twelve are currently operating a business in the region.
Board Secretary
Gary is a charter member and involved in the formation of this project at it’s inception attending the original training with Ernesto Sirolli.
- Masters of Science Degree in Feed Science and Management from Kansas State University
- Bachelor of Science in Feed Technology from Kansas State University
- Lortscher Agri Services, Bern, Kansas, owner and company president from 1975-2010. Mr. Lortscher expanded the company into a major supplier of ingredients and nutritional supplements in the pet food industry and diversified their agriculture services.
- Lortscher Grain Company as an employee, located in Bern, Kansas, he later acquired the company.
- United States Agency for International Development, served as an agricultural technician in the West African countries of Guinea and Nigeria.
Gary and his wife Betty, who also serves on the board, are citizens of the world, serving in the Peace Corps, where they met in Guinea, South Africa and since have traveled around the world twice.
Board Treasurer
Gary is a charter member and was instrumental in the formation of this project and procuring the monetary support and buy-in from the five counties.
- Bachelor of Science in Botany from Fort Hays State University
- (1991 – Current) Director of Glacial Hills Resource Conservation and Development Region a rural development organization based on the development and enhancement of natural, economic and human resources serving Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall and Nemaha counties. Besides conservation of natural resources, Glacial Hills also is focused on enhancing entrepreneurship and community development. Their Rural Business Development Loan Program has provided a second line of lending to entrepreneurs in the region through their revolving loan process. The Rural Development Loan Program has also been a major sponsor of the Entrepreneurship Academy for teens in the region. To support food entrepreneurs, Glacial Hills transformed a building that was donated into one of the first Commercial Food Centers for development of food products and processing.
- (1957-1991)Federal employee with Natural Resources Conservation Service
Gary is an army veteran and served in the Viet Nam war. He has served tirelessly to protect our streams, water and soil quality and in forming initiatives with private and governmental partners to enhance entrepreneurship in the region.
Facilitator
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Psychology with emphasis in Business from Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Missouri
- Certified Facilitator for the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program completed training through the Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship in Kansas City, Missouri
- Community Coaching Certificate earned through the Center for Engagement and Community Development, Kansas State University, Manhattan Kansas
- (2010 – Current) Facilitator for Northeast Kansas Enterprise Facilitation Initiative. Responsibilities include meeting with anyone seeking assistance in exploring, starting or growing a business in the region and helping navigate or remove the barriers standing between where they areand their business goals.
- Maintaining communication and reporting statistics and vital information to the community resource board, as well as board recruitment. Reporting and presenting results to community groups and funders.
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Previous: (1997-2009) Co-ownerand founder of Package Deal, Inc. As an advertising specialtyindustry supplier of custom packaging, the company brokered to domestic and international agencies. As an innovator in the industry the company introduced the non-woven polypropylene tote to the domestic market in 1998. Responsibilities included marketing, product development, sales and customer relations as well as managing daily operations.
Community Resource Board Member
As a charter board member, Dr. Hoy has been instrumental in the formation of the initiative, structuring the program and procuring support.
- J.D. degree from the University of Iowa.
- MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management
- B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from Iowa State University
- (1999 – current) Associate Professor, School of Business and Management Program Chair at Benedictine College, Atchison, KS
- Program Chair for Management and Academic Director of the Cloud L. Cray Center for Entrepreneurial Services at Benedictine College
- Program Chair for Management and Academic Director of the Cloud L. Cray Center for Entrepreneurial Services at Benedictine College
- Headed Division of Business and Economics (2001-2008) at Benedictine College, Atchison, KS
- Prior to his teaching career, Hoy served as Vice President and Trust Officer for a rural Iowa bank for several years. While at FHSU, he was Senior Research Associate with the Docking Institute of Public Affairs and served as Director of Affirmative Action for the University. He was the Director of Research for the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development as well. He teaches in the areas of Law, Strategic Planning, and Entrepreneurship. Hoy has served as a business consultant for Small Business Development Centers in Iowa and Kansas.
- Hoy has served on the International Trade Council of Kansas City Board of Directors,and on the Board of Directors of the Kansas City Area Development Council (2002-03 and 2012-13). He is involved with SmartPort and their Supply Chain Management program. He has served on the Board and as Chair of the Atchison County (KS) Economic Development Board and prior economic development organizations in Atchison since 2000.
Community Resource Board Member
As a charter member of the board, Nancy was instrumental in the original formation and adoption of the project and procuring the original funding and buy-in from the counties served.
- Bachelor of Science in Economics and Extension from Kansas State University
- Served over 40 years as Nemaha County Extension agent specializing in consumer sciences, 4-H, community development and economic development.
- Executive Director of the Rural Development Association (2002 – current). Serving, Nemaha County and formerly Brown County and Jackson County. The mission of RDA is to advance and supportrural economic development.
Community Resource Board Member
- Master of Science Degree in Business Administration from Benedictine College
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from William Woods University
- Christy is an Insurance Agent for Shelter Insurance Company, co-owner of Country Memories Soap, LLC, and President of Isaacs Consulting & Business Services.
Community Resource Board Member
- Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Behavior from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan
- (1997 – current) Associate Professor Benedictine College, Atchison, KS teaching classes in Change Management and Corporate Responsibility.
- Dr. Bunch also serves on the Executive MBA faculty team.
Community Resource Board Member
As a charter member, Lois was instrumental as a county commissioner and champion of EF in bringing the initiative to Northeast Kansas.
- Bachelor of Science in Economics and Extension from Kansas State University
After serving Jackson County Kansas and long-time County Commissioner, Lois now works as a Financial Manager for Homestead Affordable Housing, Inc., a non-profit Community Housing Development Organization. They partner with rural cities and counties along with Kansas Housing Resources Corp., USDA Rural Development and FHL Bank Topeka to develop new affordable housing for low income seniors in Rural Kansas Communities.
- Lois Pelton has been a member of Enterprise Facilitation since its beginnings in NE Kansas. She was an attendee of an ED conference when EF was introduced to Kansas. She was a commissioner at the time and thought it would be impossible for Jackson County to afford the program until Gary Satter suggested the five counties join forces and request a grant from the state of Kansas, the rest is history.
- “ I have always thought the EF meetings were some of the most productive meetings I ever attended. The focus is on how we can help clients with specific needs. It is how your ideas could possibly help an entrepreneurachieve their goal of success.”
- After leaving the work at Jackson County after 34 years, Lois nowworks as a Financial Manager for Homestead Affordable Housing, Inc., a non-profit Community Housing Development Organization. They partner with rural cities and counties along with Kansas Housing Resources Corp., USDA Rural Development and FHLBank Topeka to develop new affordable housing for low income seniors in Rural Kansas Communities. They also have grants available for first time homebuyers and seniors that need emergency or essential home repairs.
- While I am not as active in the program as I was when I was commissioner, I still believe in its goal of growing success from within our own population, their success is our success.
Community Resource Board Member
- Certificate of Financial Planning Dalton Education/Fort Hays State University
- Masters in Applied Farm Management Consultancy from Lincoln University (NZ)
- Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Agriculture Economics from Kansas State University
- (2013 – current) Owner and founder of Farm for Generations Consulting
- Real Estate Broker (current) Barnes Realty
Community Resource Board Member
- J.D. from Wake Forest University
- Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from Kansas State Universitys
- (2015 – current) Full Partner in Mishler Coughlin Law, LLC, Sabetha, Kansas
- Mishler Law Office, owner and founder. (1991 – 2015)
- JAG Officer with U.S. Army (1986 – 1991)
- Martin volunteers his expertise to review contracts and advise on business formation and operating agreements at no charge for NEKEF clients.
Community Resource Board Member
- Bachelor of Science in Management from Kansas State University
- (2010 – current) Consultant with the Washburn Kansas Small Business Development Center in the Glacial Hills.
- As a former realtor and current small business owner, Mary Ann exemplifies the spirit of an entrepreneur! Often teaming with the NEKEF Facilitator as a fellow business coach with valuableresources and client meetings
