4 May 2005

Gov. Sebelius appoints two to Small Business Environmental Assistance Program Advisory Panel on Compliance

Governor Kathleen Sebelius today announced her appointment of Gary Mason and Vernon Silvers to the Compliance Advisory Panel to the Small Business Assistance Program. Each will serve a two-year term.

The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) provides small businesses with technical assistance to comply with environmental regulations. The program supports companies in their effort to economically prevent pollution.

“It is critical we support our small businesses’ efforts to keep our environment safe, without harming growth and job creation” Governor Sebelius said. “The individuals I’m appointing today understand that we can protect our air, land and water in a way that strengthens our economy.”

Mason, Wichita, chair of the board, is being reappointed after first being selected by Governor Bill Graves, in 2002. Mason and his wife, Karma, own and operate Integrated Solutions, Inc., an environmental, health and safety consulting firm. The Masons, who founded ISI in 1990, have grown the business to a $2 million consulting firm. Gary Mason received his Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from University of Missouri and moved to Wichita in 1982 to work for Vulcan Chemicals. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and been a member of Rotary, Wichita Independent Business Association and the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce.

Silvers, Salina, is a speaker and seminar leader whose areas of expertise include one-to-one professionalism and management consulting. Silvers, who received his bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University in math, chemistry and radioisotopes, is chairman of the advisory board for Pittsburg State University. Silvers was an engineering project leader and environmental engineer for Philips’ fluorescent lamp plant. He was appointed by Governor Joan Finney to the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation and served on the Board of Advisors for Salina-area Vocational Technical Schools.