07 February 2006
Governor’s Military Council will strengthen Kansas military installations
Governor appoints 26-member council to protect and grow Kansas’ BRAC gains
Maintaining a strong military presence in Kansas is a priority for state and local leaders. To continue an effort that is already bringing 13,000 new military and civilian personnel to Kansas, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today announced her appointments to the Governor’s Military Council.
“We had a coordinated effort to keep our military bases open and active. As a result, our bases are adding thousands of new military and civilian personnel,” Governor Sebelius said. “I believe we must maintain the military’s presence in our state, and even expand it, and that’s the mission I’m giving the council.”
Lieutenant Governor John Moore will serve as chairman, while John Armbrust, Manhattan, will serve as executive director. Armbrust retired from the Air Force as a full colonel in 1993.
Previously, both served in similar positions on the Governor’s Strategic Military Planning Commission, which spearheaded efforts to protect and grow Kansas bases during the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.
As with the earlier commission, the Governor’s Military Council is a partnership between the administration, key legislators, all members of the Kansas congressional delegation and key business and military leaders representing the Kansas communities of Leavenworth/Lansing, Junction City/Manhattan, Wichita, and Topeka.
The 26-member council will foster cooperation between the installations and private and public sectors, and pursue initiatives to enhance the quality of life for all military personnel, active and retired. The council will also assist in the development, coordination and execution of strategy required by any future change in missions proposed by the Department of Defense.
Each member will serve at the pleasure of the Governor and by Executive Order 06-02, the council will continue in operation until May 1, 2007.
The Governor’s Military Council will include the following military and community leaders:
- Major General Tod M. Bunting
- Senator Sam Brownback
- Senator Pat Roberts
- Congressman Dennis Moore
- Congressman Jerry Moran
- Congressman Jim Ryun
- Congressman Todd Tiahrt
- State Senator Mark Gilstrap
- State Senator Roger Reitz
- State Representative Tom Hawk
- State Representative Lee Tafanelli
- Neil Fisher, Topeka
- Alonzo Harrison, Topeka
- Scott Stuckey, Junction City
- Colonel Robert Ulin (retired), Lansing
- Lt. General Robert Arter (retired), Leavenworth
- Charlie Gregor, Leavenworth
- Doug Kinsinger, Topeka
- Steven J. Martens, Wichita
- John Montgomery, Junction City
- Sen. Lana Oleen (retired), Manhattan
- Andrew Schlapp, Wichita
- Mike Shilling, Manhattan
- Robin Spurrier, Wichita
The first meeting of this council is Friday, February 17, in Topeka, which is also Armed Forces Appreciation Day.
