23 January 2006

Governor’s appointments will work to ensure opportunity
Sebelius names four to Kansas Human Rights Commission

Ensuring equality of opportunity for everyone is a goal shared by all Kansans. The Kansas Human Rights Commission is tasked with achieving this goal, and Governor Sebelius today said she was pleased her appointments to the commission have been confirmed by the Senate.

Clyde Howard, Antonio Villegas, and Jerome Williams will all serve four-year terms.

“We all share a goal of creating a state where we are judged on the quality of our work and character, rather than on other factors such as race or gender,” Governor Sebelius said. “I’m pleased these individuals have been confirmed so they can continue the important mission of the Human Rights Commission.”

The Kansas Human Rights Commission works to eliminate and prevent discrimination, and assure equal opportunities in Kansas workplaces. It also strives to eliminate and prevent discrimination, segregation or separation in all places of public accommodations and housing. The Commission also accepts and investigates, if necessary, complaints of racial and other profiling in conjunction with traffic stops. In fiscal year 2005, the Commission recovered in excess of over $1.0 million for alleged victims of discrimination.

Howard, Manhattan, has thirty years of experience in equal opportunity compliance and affirmative action. He is the director of the Office of Affirmative Action at Kansas State University. Previously, he was director of the State Equal Opportunity Office in Topeka and director of civil rights/EEO for the Kansas Department of Social Rehabilitation Services. Howard has been involved in his community, serving as a member of the Kansas Advisory Committee on Disability Concerns, the KSU President’s Commission on Multicultural Affairs and as treasurer and chairman of the Brown Foundation Board of Directors.

Villegas, Kansas City, is retired after working nearly 30 years for the Quindaro Power Plant. He has served on the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Heritage Committee, Inc. Board of Directors and the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship Fund Board of Directors. Villegas has also been a commissioner for the Kansas City, Kansas Housing Authority.

Williams, Wichita, is retired after working for Raytheon Aircraft Corporation for nearly twenty years. He held several positions, including program manager for T-6A International Programs, director of business ethics and compliance, and employment manager. He was also a member of the Kansas Proprietary School Advisory Commission, the State Aviation Advisory Committee and the Private Industry Council. Williams also served in the Marine Corps.

In addition to these three new appointments, Governor Sebelius reappointed Errol V. Williams, Topeka, to the commission for a four-year term. Confirmed by the Kansas Senate last week, he will serve as Chair of the Commission.