2026

CCEKS FALL CONFERENCE

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Hilton Garden Inn, 3320 S. 9th Street | Salina, KS 67401

Reservations – Go on the Hilton web site or call the Hotel 785-309-0440.
Rates vary and depend on what is available. 

~ The RUTH Award ~

The RUTH Award
Relentlessness • Utter Tenacity • Hope

The RUTH Award recognizes an individual who embodies the qualities that have defined Ruth Littlefield’s service to the Chamber profession: a relentless commitment to strengthening Chambers and the communities they serve, utter tenacity in the face of challenges, and an enduring sense of hope and belief in what Chambers, their leaders and their communities can accomplish.

Presented annually by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas, the award will honor an individual whose leadership, service, commitment and support of others have made a lasting contribution to the Chamber profession in Kansas.

The 2026 and inaugrual award recipient is: Ruth Littlefield

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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Meet Our Speakers!

Dr. Byrne is a professor of Economics at Washburn University, where he has taught since 2003. He has published research on numerous topics in public economics including papers on economic development incentives, tax increment financing, eminent domain and the impact of Medicaid expansion on rural migration and labor markets. Paul received his PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

LeLan Dains is the Founder and Executive Director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, a nonprofit organization working to increase equity and bridge language and cultural barriers through resources, education, and advocacy. Through Kansas Spanish Speakers, Dains works with businesses, organizations, and communities across Kansas to develop practical strategies for improving communication and creating more welcoming environments.

A self-taught Spanish speaker with a background in community development, tourism, and entrepreneurship, Dains brings a practical, approachable perspective to language access. His workshops help participants move beyond the fear of “saying it wrong” and begin using the tools already available to build stronger connections with employees, customers, and neighbors.

Kelly Davydov is an early childhood systems and public policy consultant with more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of child care, family economic mobility, public policy, and systems change. Through her consulting firm, Daydelys LLC, she works with public agencies, philanthropy, businesses, and state and national partners to strengthen child care systems and develop practical policy and financing solutions. Previously, Kelly served as Executive Director of Child Care Aware of Kansas and held leadership roles in Iowa’s early childhood and Two-Generation initiatives. Her current work includes employer-supported child care strategies, tax incentives, child care subsidy modernization, and public-private partnerships.

Connecting people, purpose and possibility has been at the heart of Luann Feehan’s career for more than 20 years. Today, as founder of SmartConnectKC, Luann works with executives and boards to strengthen leadership, governance and organizational success. On a Mission. For a Cause. With a Purpose.

A seasoned Chamber and nonprofit executive, Luann spent 12 years with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in senior membership, strategy and revenue leadership roles, including Chief Revenue Officer. She later spent 13 years with Nonprofit Connect, serving as President & CEO and becoming a leading voice in Kansas City’s nonprofit community.

A BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer and DiSC® trainer, Luann brings practical experience, candid conversation and a little humor to the realities of leading organizations and working with volunteer boards.

Jason Klindt is the Sr. Director of External Affairs for Evergy. In this role, Klindt has the primary responsibility for Evergy’s policy and legislative agenda at the federal, state and local levels. He also oversees Evergy’s economic development team working to attract and retain businesses in the Kansas and Missouri footprint. Klindt also manages the customer relationship with the utilities’ largest 500 customers who bring in $1.5 billion in revenue annually.

At Evergy, he has guided multiple pieces of legislation in Missouri and Kansas to the Governor’s desk. Evergy has also been named a Top Utility for Economic Development in 2023 and 2024 by Site Selection Magazine.

In addition to his duties at Evergy, Klindt is a member of the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents. He was appointed by the Governor and confirmed unanimously by the State Senate in 2018. In 2025, he was elected to the Kearney R-1 School Board.

Justin McClung is the Chief Operating Officer with Nex-Tech. With over 32 years of experience in the industry, Justin has led technical, development, and customer service / support teams. In his current role, Justin’s team includes Field Operations, Construction, Engineering, Help Desk, Service & Provisioning & Dispatch. One of Justin’s key initiatives is staying on the bleeding edge of technology by bringing new ideas and technologies to the company and reviewing legacy products and processes, aiming to bring efficiencies wherever possible. In 2023, Justin joined the USTelecom AI Innovation Council to help shape AI regulation for the telecommunications industry. In 2025, Justin became the co-chair of the jointed the Fiber Broadband Association’s AI/ML Working Group.

Sharla Meisenheimer serves as Vice President of Investor Relations for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce in Manhattan, Kansas. Since joining the Chamber in 2017, she has focused on building strong relationships with businesses and finding new ways to keep investors connected, engaged, and seeing value in their Chamber investment.

Sharla believes Chamber membership should be about much more than paying dues. It should create connections, open doors, and give businesses a meaningful way to be part of something bigger. Through investor recruitment, retention, and sponsorship development, her work supports the Chamber’s mission to drive business growth and promote the Manhattan area as a premier destination to live, work, and visit.

And after nearly a decade in Chamber work, Sharla knows there is rarely just one right way to get the job done. She’s a big believer in sharing what works, learning from what doesn’t, and borrowing a great idea from another Chamber whenever possible.

Ryland bio: Ryland Miller has been on staff with the Ottawa Chamber for over seven years. He started as an intern while attending Ottawa University, worked part-time throughout his MBA, and, after completing it, began working full-time at the Ottawa Chamber. Two years later, in 2023, he was chosen to lead the 100+-year-old organization as President/CEO. Along with this title, he is proud to be a community advocate, lifelong learner, public servant, Rotarian, Young Professional, and most importantly—uncle, husband, and father.  

Allison Muth serves as the Director of Talent Strategies at the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, leading initiatives that connect talent with opportunity through workforce development, leadership programs, and community partnerships. With a background in organizational leadership and a passion for helping communities grow, she works alongside businesses, educators, and local leaders to strengthen Manhattan’s talent ecosystem. Allison earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and singing.

Marcus Petty serves as Director of Marketing for the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, leading a collaborative community marketing initiative to promote Salina and Saline County. He brings extensive experience in strategic marketing, communications, and community engagement, having previously held positions with the City of Lindsborg, Mid-America All-Indian Center, Salina Public Library, and Anthem Community Council in Arizona. Marcus holds a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Wichita State University.

Eric Stafford joined the Kansas Chamber in January 2011 as Senior Director of Government Affairs and was promoted to Vice President of Government Affairs in May 2014. In this role, he led the Chamber’s government affairs team and directed the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts on pro‑business legislation.

 Jill Thorne is the Executive Director of the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, leading the Chamber, Visit Atchison, and Locally Atchison Main Street. With more than 18 years of experience as a sales director, Jill brings extensive expertise in relationship building, strategic growth, leadership, and customer engagement to her role. She specializes in community development, tourism, business advocacy, downtown revitalization, workforce development, and entrepreneurial support. Jill is known for bringing businesses, community leaders, and partner organizations together to turn ideas into meaningful progress. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded programming, strengthened membership, advanced tourism initiatives, and developed new opportunities for entrepreneurs and the local workforce. She is passionate about championing Atchison and the people who make it a spirited place to live, work, build a business, and visit.  

Sarah Wasinger has served as the President/CEO of The Chamber in Hays, Kansas since 2019. Addressing some of her community’s largest challenges, Wasinger facilitates the Child Care Task Force of Ellis County, Ellis County Workforce Committee, Ellis County Wellness Committee, and is also a co-facilitator for Leadership Hays.

A fifth-generation native of Ellis County, Kansas, Wasinger earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fort Hays State University and also holds a certificate in leadership studies. In 2026 she graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management. Wasinger proudly participated in the 2024 cohort of Leadership Kansas, where she received the Distinguished Leadership Award from her peers. Currently, Wasinger is serving as the chair-elect for the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas board of directors, the fall conference planning committee, scholarship committee, and the association manager hiring search committee. In 2026 she was appointed to serve on Governor Laura Kelly’s Kansas Office of Early Childhood Advisory Group to assist streamlining multiple early education agencies under one umbrella.

Wasinger serves as vice president for the Kiwanis Club of Hays, where she will become the first club member in history to serve two terms in that capacity. She proudly volunteers her time to Kiwanis’ Flag Committee and is the co-chair for the Veterans Appreciation committee and chair of the Member Engagement Committee. She is also the vice president for the Arc of Central Plains board of directors, is a big sister for Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters, and is a member of the Pharmacy Tech Advisory Committee for Fort Hays Tech | North Central.

Peter Lazarz leads Community Engagement at MakeMyMove, where he works with communities and states across the country to recruit new residents. He currently supports several state-sponsored talent attraction and grant programs, including the Kansas Home in the Heartland Grant Program, and helps communities connect employers with out-of-state talent.

Before joining MakeMyMove, Peter spent more than 15 years in marketing and marketplace growth. His experience spans customer acquisition, brand building, business growth and community engagement.

Peter is a graduate of Purdue University. Outside of work, talk to him about birding or coaching youth sports.