Economic Development Council

The Chamber�s Economic Development Council (EDC) was formed in 1995 to direct Olathe�s economic development activities. Its mission is to be the lead organization in marketing Olathe and strengthening the local economy through activities that result in the retention and creation of business investments in the community.

Funded from private and public sources, the EDC acts on behalf of the community to secure new business prospects, assist existing business expansions, and develop infrastructure and tools needed to contend in today�s competition for business growth. These companies invest in the EDC.

In addition, the EDC interacts with local and state elected officials, city staff and the Olathe Chamber of Commerce to accomplish economic development goals for the community.

2008 Advisory Council

Scott Anderson, Bond Counsel
Gilmore & Bell

Jerry Barrios, Operations Manager (2008 CHAIRMAN)
Atmos Energy

Tom Blunk, Principal
Quadrangle Development

Frank Carter, Vice President & General Manager
Systems Material Handling

Ramin Cherafat, Vice President
McCownGordon Construction

Matt Dority, Manager - Government Affairs
Kansas City Power & Light

Bill Dunn, Jr.,
JE Dunn Construction

Craig Eymann, Managing Developer
Ambassador Construction

Bill Garton
Tandem Truck Service

Tim Harmon, President & CEO
Harmon Construction

Tom Langhofer, General Manager
Rodrock Development

Dewey Newton, Vice President & GM
Turner Construction

J. Craig Nichols, Vice President
First National Bank of Kansas

Dan Richardson, CEO
Kansas State University - Olathe

Cal Roberts, President & CEO
Brotherhood Bank & Trust

Bret Sheffield, Director - Real Estate Development
Opus Northwest

John Snyder, Partner (2008 PAST-CHAIR)
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal

Joe Waters, Director - Facility Mngt
Johnson County Government

Ex-Officio Advisory Council Members

Dr. Pat All, Superintendent
Olathe District Schools

Karin Brownlee, Senator
Kansas State Legislature

Mike Copeland, Mayor
City of Olathe

Frank H. Devocelle, President/CEO
Olathe Medical Center

Harlan Parker
School Board Representative

Ted Gartner, Mgr - Media Relations
Garmin International

L. Franklin Taylor, President
Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Ron Wimmer, ED Consultant
Olathe Chamber of Commerce

J. Michael Wilkes, City Manager
City of Olathe

Susan Sherman, Asst. City Manager
City of Olathe

Tom Brymer, Asst. City Manager
City of Olathe

Rick Biery, Director of Public Works
City of Olathe

Steve Franks, Planning Director
City of Olathe

Karan Johnson, Neighborhood & Human Services Director
City of Olathe

Ben Hart, Dir of Strategic Financial Mgt
City of Olathe

Ron Shaver, Economic Development Analyst
City of Olathe

Alan Shorthouse, Purchasing Manager
City of Olathe

Staff
Tim McKee, Executive Vice President - Economic Development
Shannon Latham, Assistant Director
Susan Wallace, Executive Assistant
Olathe Chamber of Commerce - Economic Development