The Kelly File

Laura Kelly was sworn in as the 48th governor of the State of Kansas on January 14, 2019.

Laura grew up in a career military family where she learned the importance of service, integrity and accountability. She has made it her life’s work to fight for children and families on the job, in her community, and as a four-term state senator.

As governor, Laura will bring people together to rebuild Kansas and increase the efficiency of state government. She will work to expand early childhood education and public school funding to give all Kansas kids – no matter where they live – the opportunity to succeed. She will work with lawmakers to expand Medicaid to make affordable healthcare more accessible and support rural hospitals and clinics. And she will balance the budget without new taxes.

The Masterson File

Serving in the Kansas Senate for more than 10 years, Ty Masterson is a former city council member of Andover and held a Kansas State House of Representatives seat from 2005-08. Masterson most recently served as the chairman of the Senate Utilities Committee and has been newly-elected Senate President in 2021.

The Schmidt File

Derek Schmidt was elected the 44th attorney general of Kansas in 2010 and was reelected in 2014 and 2018. He is the state’s second longest-serving attorney general, and in 2018 received more votes than any other candidate for attorney general in Kansas history.

Under Attorney General Schmidt’s leadership, the office has focused on prosecuting crimes against children, protecting senior citizens from scams and rip-offs, recovering record-setting amounts of money for Kansas consumers and taxpayers, providing professional legal services for the State of Kansas, and standing up against illegal overreach by the federal government.

The Seeber File

Ron Seeber is the President and CEO of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA).  Established in 1896, the KGFA is a voluntary state association with a membership encompassing the entire spectrum of the grain receiving, storage, processing and shipping industry in the state of Kansas.  KGFA’s membership includes over 950 Kansas business locations and represents 99% of the commercially licensed grain storage in the state.  Ron is has been with the KGFA since 2008 and the President since 2017.  He is only the 6^th President to serve in the association’s 123 year history.

In his role, Ron directs the vision, mission and strategy of the membership-based organization, advocating for Kansas agribusiness by creating a sustainable business climate through collaborative policy leadership, continuous education and effective communication.  He is responsible for maintaining and nurturing a professional relationship with government, other associations, allied industry, educational institutions and the general public as necessary and in the best interest of the association and for attainment of its objectives.

Ron Seeber is a native Kansan, grew up in El Dorado, and earned a Political Science Degree from the University of Kansas. After graduating in 1991, he worked for Senator Bob Dole in Washington, DC until 1996.  Ron then returned home and worked as the Deputy Secretary of Administration for Governor Bill Graves, Political Director of the Kansas Republican Party, and as a lobbyist for a law firm representing over 30 different companies, associations, and a Native American tribe.

Ron Seeber and wife, Jennifer, have three daughters, a labradoodle and an insane cat.

The Stookey File

Randy Stookey was promoted to senior vice president after serving as the association’s general counsel since November 2011. Stookey is the lead lobbyist for the Associations and the contact for government affairs stakeholders from member companies and for lobbying clients. During the Legislative Session, Stookey monitors and responds to all bills of consequence for the industry. In addition, Stookey assists in the management of the Kansas Agri Business Council, the Associations’ Joint Political Action Committee.

Stookey is responsible for keeping current on all issues affecting the agribusiness industries and remaining knowledgeable on the regulations and laws pertaining to the grain and feed, fertilizer and agrichemical industries. Stookey is also the staff contact for Legislative Committees. As General Counsel, Stookey assists the President, Executive staff, Board, and membership with addressing legal questions and compliance issues.

The Miller File

As President/CEO of the Kansas Cooperative Council (KCC) Miller oversees and executes on the strategic vision of the Council. She works on behalf of Kansas Cooperatives providing educational programs, promotion and advocacy to make Kansas the best state to operate a cooperative business.

The Stafford File

Shahira Stafford is a lifelong Kansan and has nearly 20 years of experience in all aspects of association management, focused primarily on government relations and communications. Most recently, Stafford served as Vice President of Government Affairs for the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and its affiliated agribusiness organizations and lobbying clients. Prior, she filled the role of Vice President of Marketing and Communications.