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Our Team

Board of Directors

Jack H. Brier

Chairman of the Board, President and CEO

Career Highlights

President of Brier Development Co. Inc.
Kansas Secretary of State, 1978-1987
President, Kansas Development Finance Authority, 1990-1993
Attended Shawnee Mission public schools
Earned Business Administration degree from Washburn University
Graduate studies in Public Administration at the University of Kansas
Former Board Member, AmVestors Investment Group, Inc.; AmVestors Financial Corporation; and Columbian National Title Insurance Company

Bill Graves

Director

Career Highlights

Earned a degree in Business Administration from Kansas Wesleyan University in his hometown of Salina and attended graduate school at the University of Kansas
Serves on the Board of OpenForce, a Phoenix, AZ transportation technology firm
Involved in the trucking industry his entire life. For almost 70 years, members of his family have operated fleets including Graves Truck Line
Governor of Kansas, 1995–2003. As governor, Graves signed into law an historic 10-year, $13 billion comprehensive transportation program improving highways, railroad infrastructure, airports and public transit service in Kansas, financed by higher user fees
Recently served as President and CEO of American Trucking Associations, the national trade and safety organization of the United States trucking industry. Under his leadership, ATA advanced several safety initiatives

Jim Poolman

Director

Career Highlights

Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota
Former Vice President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Served four terms in the North Dakota House of Representatives
Elected North Dakota Insurance Commissioner in 2000 and 2004
President of Jim Poolman Consulting Inc.

John R. Helms

Director

Career Highlights

Involved in the board of directors for the Kansas Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association for the past six years, as well as a member of the Chapter’s program committee and has been active within the program for more than ten years
Has been a member of the Enforcement Resources Committee of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy since 2018 and has been elected to the Nominating Committee
Current member of the Kansas Board of Accountancy since 2012, and has held three terms as vice-chair in addition to three years as chair of the board
Previously a member of the board of directors for Cair Paravel Latin School for nine years and rejoined the board in 2021 as its treasurer
Served as supervisor and later the manager of the financial statement audits of Security Benefit Life, Missouri Farm Bureau, and American Home Life Insurance Company for several years
Was previously one of the owners of Wendling Noe Nelson & Johnson LLC for 32 years, which specialized in reimbursement, audit, as well as consulting services for hospitals in several states
Has been a practicing CPA for the past 44 years
Earned B.S. degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University

JuliAnn Mazachek

Director

Career Highlights

Serves as the 15th President of Washburn University
Active community leader serving on boards including CoreFirst Bank & Trust, Heritage Bank, and the Greater Topeka Partnership
Earned an MBA and a Doctorate in Accounting from the University of Kansas
Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management (Mechanical Engineering emphasis) from Missouri University of Science and Technology
Led the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation as President and CEO for 15 years, overseeing fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardship programs
Previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at Washburn University (2016-2022)
Earlier roles include Dean of the Washburn University School of Business and tenured faculty member in Accounting

Jeff Brown

Vice President

Career Highlights

Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics (Actuarial Science Specialization) from Washburn University
Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and member of the American Academy of Actuaries
Vice President of Finance and Business Intelligence of Aviva USA, 2008-2011
Former Senior Vice President and Actuary of Amerus Annuity Group
Former Group Life Actuary of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, 1995-2001
Former Board Member, Cair Paravel Latin School

Founding Board Members

We gratefully recognize our founding Board members, who played a vital role in shaping the organization in its earliest years and whose influence continues beyond their service on the Board. Bob Boaldin, Rochelle Chronister, Kurt Scott, James Concannon each contributed leadership, insight, and dedication that helped establish the strong foundation we have today. Their commitment and vision continue to resonate throughout the organization. We sincerely appreciate their contributions and the role they played in our history.