Leadership Independence

Congratulations to the Leadership Independence Class of 2026 on your graduation! Kendra Alford, Libby Davis, Joe Fulk, Will Garrison, Ryan Goad, Mya Gregory, Ashley Heintz, Gracie King, Marcus Lanning, Emily Lewis, John Long, Nicole Munoz, Caleb Nichols, Molly Rains, Sarah Salisbury, Kayla Schabel, Tamisha Sewell and Dustin Woodward.
As a program of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, this group has spent the past eight months growing as leaders, building connections, and making a meaningful impact right here in our community.
Through hands-on projects and community involvement, these graduates have demonstrated a true commitment to strengthening our community and shaping its future.

Special thank you to our keynote speaker, Moises Rivera!

🌟 Leadership Independence Class of 2025 — Supporting Our Community’s Future Athletes! 🌟

The Leadership Independence Class of 2025 set out with one goal in mind — to give back to the kids of our community and support the future of youth sports here in Independence. 🖤🧡

With a shared passion for promoting recreation and youth activities, the 2025 class focused their project on helping the new Central Sports Complex make its inaugural season a success! Along with their class funds, they helped secure additional grant funds through Victory Project — a program that believes all kids should have access to the sport of soccer. With the combination of these funds their class was able to help provide the Independence Recreation Commission with new soccer goals and ball stops for the soccer complex and purchase new catcher’s gear that local youth ball teams used throughout the summer season. ⚽️ 🥎

As teams wrapped up the Fall 2025 soccer season, members from their class spent the morning handing out snacks and drinks to the kids playing in the championship games. Even with the rain and delays, they stuck it out — because showing up for these kids and cheering on their hard work is what their project was all about. 🌧️

The 2025 class is especially proud that two of their classmates are now involved with the Independence Recreation Commission, continuing their mission of supporting youth sports and giving back to the community. 🌟

Learn more about Victory Project here: https://www.victorykc.org/grant

What a great 2nd session of Leadership Independence, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work! We spent our day at Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo beginning at the Tennis Club House and utilizing the 4H Buildings! Guest speakers Chuck Goad (Mutual Invitation & Respectful Communication), Robin Brannum & April Nutt (Steps to a Performing Team), and Jodi Hayse (Leadership Independence Presentation) presented at this session. They also got to experience Team Building with Greenbush Education Service Center! We have an INCREDIBLE class this year!!

Leadership Independence recently kicked off the first session of the 2025-2026 Leadership Independence class, a program of the Independence Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President, Lisa Wilson and program co-chairs, Melissa Johnson and Matt Ysusi, welcomed the 19 class participants at the historic Civic Center, and in staying with the “A Taste of Independence” theme, local historian, Isaias McCaffery, retired professor from Independence Community College, led a bus tour of local historic sights. Following the tour and leadership training, a sampling of nine local restaurants created a “Taste of Independence” dinner.

This year’s class participants include the following: Kendra Alford, Four County Mental Health Center; Libby Davis, Montgomery County Action Council; Joe Fulk, Textron Aviation; Chris Furr, City of Independence; Will Garrison, Standard Motor Products, Inc.; Ryan Goad, Commercial Bank; Mya Gregory, Farm Bureau Financial Services – Anna Lawless; Ashley Heintz, Skyward Credit Union; Gracie King, Edward Jones – Financial Advisor: Jason Rutledge; Marcus Lanning, USD 446 Schools; Emily Lewis, Hugo’s Industrial Supply, Inc.; John Long, Independence Public Library; Sarah Long, Community National Bank & Trust; Nicole Munoz, Independence Community College; Caleb Nichols, Textron Aviation; Molly Rains, Independence Community College; Kayla Schabel, City of Independence; Tamisha Sewell, Tree House of Early Learning Center; and Dustin Woodward, USD 446 Schools.
This year’s program content is designed to bring together individuals who have an interest in learning about their community, while offering extensive leadership skills training in combination with community overview components. The leadership training is based on modules taught by the Kansas Leadership Center and other resources.

The 2025-2026 Leadership Board of Directors are Melissa Johnson, co-chair; Matt Ysusi, co-chair; Amandia Brock, Amy Easley, Kris Ferguson, Jaicey Gillum, Matt Kittrell, Trina March, Michael McCambridge, Brian Norvell, Liz Pralle, Hali Schultheiss, Lisa Reed, Karin Stoner, ex-officio and Chamber president, Lisa Wilson, ex-officio.

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Leadership Independence Class!
Your dedication, hard work, and passion for making a difference have truly shined throughout this journey. 🌟
You've not only grown as individuals but also as a team!
Here’s to the lessons learned, the connections made, and the bright future ahead! 👏👏👏

Tyler Allen, Eddie Bauer, Alisa Beecham, Pam Brown (not pictured), Sam Carnes, Sonya Engel, John Garris (not pictured), Rebecca Gilcrist, Jaicey Gillum (elected Class Rep), Jessica Jaimes, Seth Jones, Erin Kaminska, Maren Lagaly, Dave Lawrence, Michelle McCormick, Logan Null, Cody Oates, Noel O'Kane (not pictured), Samantha Ringle, Curtis Short (not pictured), Breana Ward, April Whitley, and Crystal Wonser.

THANK YOU to our generous sponsors! Without you, our program wouldn't thrive the way it is able to!
Atmos Energy, Brio Med Spa & Wellness, City of Independence Kansas, Community National Bank & Trust, Echelon Arch+Design, Emert Chubb, LLC, Four County Mental Health Center, Independence Community College, Independence Community College Foundation and Alumni Office, K-State Research and Extension, L2 Realty Inc, Matcor Metal Fabrication, Mavericks Playroom, Montgomery County Action Council, Null Chiropractic LLC, Standard Motor Products, Textron Aviation, and Independence, Kansas Public Schools USD 446

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Leadership Independence Class!

Your dedication, hard work, and passion for making a difference have truly shined throughout this journey. 🌟

You've not only grown as individuals but also as a team!

Here’s to the lessons learned, the connections made, and the bright future ahead! 👏👏👏

Tyler Allen, Eddie Bauer, Alisa Beecham, Pam Brown, Sam Carnes, Sonya Engel, John Garris, Rebecca Gilcrist, Jaicey Gillum (elected Class Rep), Jessica Jaimes, Seth Jones, Erin Kaminska, Maren Lagaly, Dave Lawrence, Michelle McCormick, Logan Null, Cody Oates, Noel O'Kane, Samantha Ringle, Curtis Short, Breana Ward, April Whitley, and Crystal Wonser.

🌟 Leadership in Action! 🌟

Our Leadership Independence Class of 2025 is making strides and building connections! Over the past several months, this outstanding group has dedicated their time and talents to learning, connecting, and growing as leaders with professional development, community engagement, and leadership skills that will help shape the future of our region.

From dynamic guest speakers to behind-the-scenes tours of key organizations, this class is growing stronger together and making a lasting impact!

Check out some of the highlights so far!

Leadership Independence completed Session III "Civic Engagement - Independence... Town That I Love"

They began their day at Independence Historical Museum and Art Center with Montgomery County Action Council Economic Development Discussion with Melissa Johnson, Laura Keller and class member Maren Lagaly. Then the amazing Kathy Newkirk presented on "Bloom Where You Are Planted" following a great museum tour led by Drew Demo, Ray Rothgeb and Norman Chambers!

In the afternoon they moved to the Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo Stich Shelter House. Lacey Lies presented with Navigating City Procedures & City Trivia with a trip to the Mausoleum. Ron Lawrence and Jim Hogan then led a meaningful tour through Veterans Freedom Square. April Nutt then presented on Impact of Sales Tax and the importance of shopping local. They ended the day with a great tour of the Community Access Center

🎉CONGRATULATIONS Aaron Cook, former Leadership Independence class member on his promotion to Independence Fire/EMS Chief! We are so proud of him and his hard work to get where he is!

𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞/𝐄𝐌𝐒 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟

Independence City Manager Kelly Passauer has announced the appointment of Aaron Cook as the City’s new Chief of Fire/EMS, effective December 1, 2024.

Cook currently serves as a Fire Captain/Paramedic with the department and brings more than 22 years of experience in firefighting and emergency medical services to the role. Cook will assume the position of Chief Shawn Wallis, who will retire in December after leading the department for the past eight years and accumulating more than 25 years of service with the City’s emergency services throughout his career.

“I am exceedingly proud to announce we have promoted another one of our own to a significant leadership role within the organization,” Kelly said. “Aaron has big boots to fill as he succeeds Chief Wallis, who is an exceptional, selfless leader. But with a wealth of technical expertise, a high level of respect from peers and a heart for our community, I am confident Aaron is ready and up for the challenge.”

Cook rejoined the City’s Fire/EMS service in 2023 as a captain/paramedic after previously serving five years as Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic. In his off hours, he also is currently employed as an Emergency Room nurse at Labette Health’s Independence Health Care Center. He also was previously employed with the Cherryvale Fire/EMS department.

He is a two-time recipient of the “Paramedic of the Year” award with the Independence department and also has received multiple lifesaving awards with both the Independence and Cherryvale agencies. With Independence Fire/EMS, Cook has been involved in community outreach programs to promote fire safety, and he has assumed leadership roles in efforts to enhance inter-departmental communications, operational efficiency, safety and maintenance protocols.

Cook obtained his paramedic license from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri, and an associate’s degree in nursing from Coffeyville Community College, where he was ranked in the top 10% of his class and served as class president. He also is a 2024 graduate of Leadership Independence.

“I am dedicated to providing quality customer service, top-notch emergency response and excellent medical care to our citizens,” Cook said. “I value clear communication and collaboration, and I am very excited to put my skills and experience to work in the chief’s role.”