In 2016, the Innovation Center (NWKECI) was started as a private operating foundation by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation (Hansen Foundation). The Hansen Foundation had become fully vested and their board saw need in areas pertaining to business and economy that were outside of their realm of focus, but in which work would positively benefit their efforts.
After establishing the Innovation Center, the Hansen Board set out to find someone to lead the organization. Scott Sproul, of Edmond, became a top prospect because of the work that he had already done in the area as a representative of Nex-Tech and as the City/County Economic Development Director for Norton. Sproul was hired as Chief Executive Officer from the inception of the organization.
Mike Posson, Norton, has been a board member since May 2016. Posson spent considerable time traveling and living in various locations worldwide before making his eventual return to Norton. His accolades include possessing a Mechanical Engineering degree from Kansas State University and serving in various high-ranking roles in various work positions, including serving as President of Duoline Technologies for twenty-one years and a Technical Manager for Rice Engineering and Operating LTD for an additional seven and a half years. Posson has also participated in and led many organizations in Kansas, such as serving as a wKREDA Board Member, Greater Northwest Community Foundation Board Member, and his current term as part of the Innovation Center Board.
Mark Lowry, native of Logan, Kansas, has been a board member since 2016. Lowry and wife Sally own Garrett Insurance Agency, with multiple locations across the region. Lowry is one of the Innovation Center’s original Board members. He holds multiple degrees from Kansas State University. Lowry has a long list of involvement in state organizations and has served on both profit and nonprofit boards, including Leadership Kansas, Kansas Leadership Center and President of the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents (KAIA).
Quinter native and Dane G. Hansen Foundation Trustee Doug Albin joined the board in 2013. Albin obtained a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from McPherson College and was formerly employed as a CPA by various companies including the Internal Revenue Service and the former Kennedy and Coe, and later Poore, Dameron and Associates. In 1990, Albin settled in WaKeeney along with wife Laurie and their three daughters to operate the family farm. He enjoys being a mentor to area business owners.
Michelle Foote grew up in the eastern part of Innovation Center territory. Originally from Delphos, Foote and husband Scott now reside in Hoxie where they operate multiple family businesses and raise their five children. Foote graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics. She is part of various volunteer endeavors and enjoys raising her family around the business of agriculture, with a focus on furthering communities in Western Kansas through agriculture.
Morris Engle brings his knowledge of the loan process and finance to the Innovation Center Board. Following a long and successful career in commercial banking, including a stint as Vice President at First National Bank and Trust Company in Phillipsburg for 30 years, Engle joined the Innovation Center board in 2016. In his spare time, Engle enjoys spending time with his wife, Julia, and his family.
Based in Ellis County, board member Clare Gustin has worked in community and economic development across the territory. Gustin spent almost 25 years in a high-ranking role at Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. Additionally, she has experience as an Economic Development Finance Professional for the National Development Council Gustin brings this experience along with her to the Innovation Center Board. Gustin is a retiree who enjoys spending time with husband Brent and family.
Sandy joined the board in 2023. She has an extensive business background, beginning her career in 1969 as a receptionist at American Finance, she become the first female manager nationwide. She ended her career as an executive vice president of Sunflower Bank and immediately began her second career in community service. She’s involved in various community organizations, and received numerous awards, including being inducted in the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. Currently, she serves as a Hays City Commissioner. Sandy is a graduate of Hays High School and the Graduate School of Banking. She and her husband, Dan, live in Hays. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Glen Elder native and Bethany College alum Jenny Russell has over 15 years of experience in the fields of marketing, advertising, and websites. Russell owns JenRus Freelance Marketing in Courtland, Kansas and now handles the marketing efforts for the Innovation Center. Along with husband Jay, they raise their two children, Owen and Alyssa, in Republic County.
In 2016, the Innovation Center (NWKECI) was started as a private operating foundation by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation (Hansen Foundation). The Hansen Foundation had become fully vested and their board saw need in areas pertaining to business and economy that were outside of their realm of focus, but in which work would positively benefit their efforts.
After establishing the NWKEICI, the Hansen Board set out to find someone to lead the organization. Scott Sproul, out of Edmond, became a top prospect because of the work that he had already done in the area as a representative of Nex-Tech and as the City/County Economic Development Director for Norton. Sproul was hired as President and Chief Executive Officer from the inception of the organization.
As an actively board member lead organization, the next step was to add board members to help Scott formulate and lead the efforts.
After establishing the Innovation Center, the Hansen Board set out to find someone to lead the organization. Scott Sproul, of Edmond, became a top prospect because of the work that he had already done in the area as a representative of Nex-Tech and as the City/County Economic Development Director for Norton. Sproul was hired as Chief Executive Officer from the inception of the organization.
Mike Posson, Norton, has been a board member since May 2016. Posson spent considerable time traveling and living in various locations worldwide before making his eventual return to Norton. His accolades include possessing a Mechanical Engineering degree from Kansas State University and serving in various high-ranking roles in various work positions, including serving as President of Duoline Technologies for twenty-one years and a Technical Manager for Rice Engineering and Operating LTD for an additional seven and a half years. Posson has also participated in and led many organizations in Kansas, such as serving as a wKREDA Board Member, Greater Northwest Community Foundation Board Member, and his current term as part of the Innovation Center Board.
Mark Lowry, native of Logan, Kansas, has been a board member since 2016. Lowry and wife Sally own Garrett Insurance Agency, with multiple locations across the region. Lowry is one of the Innovation Center’s original Board members. He holds multiple degrees from Kansas State University. Lowry has a long list of involvement in state organizations and has served on both profit and nonprofit boards, including Leadership Kansas, Kansas Leadership Center and President of the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents (KAIA).
Quinter native and Dane G. Hansen Foundation Trustee Doug Albin joined the board in 2013. Albin obtained a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from McPherson College and was formerly employed as a CPA by various companies including the Internal Revenue Service and the former Kennedy and Coe, and later Poore, Dameron and Associates. In 1990, Albin settled in WaKeeney along with wife Laurie and their three daughters to operate the family farm. He enjoys being a mentor to area business owners.
Michelle Foote grew up in the eastern part of Innovation Center territory. Originally from Delphos, Foote and husband Scott now reside in Hoxie where they operate multiple family businesses and raise their five children. Foote graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics. She is part of various volunteer endeavors and enjoys raising her family around the business of agriculture, with a focus on furthering communities in Western Kansas through agriculture.
Morris Engle brings his knowledge of the loan process and finance to the Innovation Center Board. Following a long and successful career in commercial banking, including a stint as Vice President at First National Bank and Trust Company in Phillipsburg for 30 years, Engle joined the Innovation Center board in 2016. In his spare time, Engle enjoys spending time with his wife, Julia, and his family.
Based in Ellis County, board member Clare Gustin has worked in community and economic development across the territory. Gustin spent almost 25 years in a high-ranking role at Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. Additionally, she has experience as an Economic Development Finance Professional for the National Development Council Gustin brings this experience along with her to the Innovation Center Board. Gustin is a retiree who enjoys spending time with husband Brent and family.
Sandy Jacobs joined the board in 2023. She has an extensive business background, beginning her career in 1969 as a receptionist at American Finance, she become the first female manager nationwide. She ended her career as an executive vice president of Sunflower Bank and immediately began her second career in community service. She’s involved in various community organizations, and received numerous awards, including being inducted in the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. Currently, she serves as a Hays City Commissioner. Sandy is a graduate of Hays High School and the Graduate School of Banking. She and her husband, Dan, live in Hays. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Glen Elder native and Bethany College alum Jenny Russell has over 15 years of experience in the fields of marketing, advertising, and websites. Russell owns JenRus Freelance Marketing in Courtland, Kansas and now handles the marketing efforts for the Innovation Center. Along with husband Jay, they raise their two children, Owen and Alyssa, in Republic County.
