The Kansas Oral History Project Board of Directors consists of 15 people who serve 3 year terms, with 5 elected each year at its annual meeting. The Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors is recommending two current directors continue and five new directors, to be added and voted on at the December 2, 2023 Annual Meeting.
Barbara Morris of Hugoton and Joan Wagnon of Topeka are renominated for a third three-year term.
John Peterson, Sue Peterson and Frances Jackson are being tapped for new three-year terms.
Frances Calloway Jackson was Executive Director of Youth Development Services in Wichita for 30 years. Born in Dodge City and educated at St. Mary of the Plains, Jackson became involved with the social, political and cultural fiber of Wichita. She devoted her career to leadership in citizen participation, community activism and service to youth, their families and other vulnerable groups victimized by poverty and discrimination. She served as president of the Wichita YWCA, Sedgwick County Democratic Women and the Kansas Federation of Democratic Women. She hosted “Voices from the Village” on 95.9 FM radio. Currently, Jackson is Queen Mother of the African American Council of Elders. She served as an interviewer in the KOHP Diversity series.
John Peterson, Founder and chief executive of Capitol Strategies, has been lobbying continuously since 1976. He served in the Kansas House prior to his lobby career. Peterson received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Stanford University and his J.D. from Washburn University School of Law. John is considered a Dean in the Kansas lobby community and his understanding of the legislative process is second to none. He has been an active participant in nearly every major piece of business legislation in the last three decades.
Sue Peterson, chief government relations officer and assistant to the president for Kansas State University, sets her sights on a new initiative when the legislative session ended– retirement. She retired after nearly 34 years of service to the university on April 7. “Sue has had an amazing career at K-State that has led to immeasurable impact for our university,” said Richard Linton, Kansas State University president. “She has been a tireless advocate for the university, but her legacy is even bigger than that — she has laid the groundwork for incredible growth both within the university and across our region and state.”
Sue Peterson | Frances Jackson | John Peterson
Jim McLean and Mike Lennen will be appointed to fill unexpired terms. Both have served as interviewers for KOHP.
Mike Lennen 
Jim McLean
Jack Alexander (left) and Jim Maag (right)have accepted Emeritus designations – meaning they can stay on the board as long as they wish. Maag was the founding president in 2016 when KOHP was incorporated.
Here is a complete list of the proposed board members and officers after the nominating committee report is adopted at the annual meeting.
Officers:
Ramon Powers, President | Joan Wagnon, Vice-President | Mary Torrence, Secretary | Mary Galligan, Treasurer
Directors: David Heinemann, Jim Hoy, Kathleen Holt, Frances Jackson, Mike Lennen, Jim McLean, Barbara Morris, John Peterson, Sue Peterson, Matt Veatch, Jack Wempe.
