Kansas Business Hall of Fame

The honor is given to business leaders from the past (Historical) and present (Contemporary). The Hall has been recently updated. Our honorees deserve significant recognition for their outstanding business leadership and achievement in Kansas. The KBHF Board of Directors, in 2019, put plans in motion to renovate and move the Hall to its current location on the second floor of Cremer Hall, the School of Business building at Emporia State University. The new location is more accessible to the community and is an open, welcoming space for students and visitors. The multipurpose space houses the plaques of all the inductees, along with multimedia touch technology with biographies of each honoree.



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Business leaders who are selected for the Hall of Fame are widely known for their contributions to Kansas and clearly merit recognition.


Lawrence, KS 66045-2003
(785) 864-3795
(785) 864-5328 (Fax)
paige.fields@ku.edu

Mr. David W. Hendricks
Director of Resource Management
Mainstream Nonprofit Solutions 
davehendricks1965@gmail.com

Dr. Melissa J. Hunsicker Walburn
Interim Dean, College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Ft. Hays State University
mjhunsickerwalburn@fhsu.edu


Ms. Sherriene Jones-Sontag
Vice President of Communications
Kansas Chamber of Commerce
SherrieneS@KansasChamber.org

Dr. James Leiker 
Professor, Department of History
Johnson County Community College
jleiker1@jccc.edu

Ms. Connie N. Lindell
Santa Fe Trail HS – Business Ed/FBLA (Retired) 
cnlindell@aol.com

Ms. Melissa R. McCoy
Assistant City Manager/Public Affairs City of Dodge City
melissam@dodgecity.org

Dr. Jeffrey Muldoon
School of Business & Technology
Emporia State University 
jmuldoon@emporia.edu

Mr. Scott Poor 
Attorney
Hartenstein Poor LLC
scottpoor@gmail.com

Recent Inductees

The KBHF annually inducts leaders in two categories: historical figures and contemporary business icons. These honorees represent the past and present of Kansas’ economic growth and innovation. Discover this year’s inductees and their inspiring stories.

Board Members’ profiles

Mr. Terry Puett 
Senior Vice President
Bankers' Bank of Kansas 
tpuett03@yahoo.com

Dr. John Rich
School of Business
Emporia State University 
jrich@emporia.edu

Ms. Rachael Richardson
Executive Associate
Emporia State University 
rrichar6@emporia.edu
Secretary/Treasurer, Kansas Business Hall of Fame

Ms. Rebecca Robinson
Director of Economic Development 
rspexarth@gmail.com

Chuck Scott
President
Emporia Regional Development Association 
cscott@gemporiarda.org

 Mr. Jim Shepherd 
President
2S, Inc.
Shepherdjr@hotmail.com

Dr. David Sollars
Dean, School of Business
Washburn University 
david.sollars@washburn.edu

Mr. David Toland
Kansas Secretary of Commerce 
David.Toland@ks.gov

Mr. Errol Williams 
Vice President – Human Resources (Retired)
Security Benefit Foundation
Cyranooftopeka@gmail.com

Student Essay Contest

Each year, Kansas high school students (grades 9-12) have the opportunity to research and write about KBHF inductees who inspire them. Winners are awarded scholarships to encourage their future success in business. Learn how students can participate and contribute to Kansas' business legacy.

Board of Directors

1988

The Kansas Business Hall of Fame was established at Emporia State University’s School of Business, housed on the second floor of Cremer Hall. It was founded to honor Kansas business leaders and raise awareness of the state’s history of business leadership.​


1989

The first induction ceremony was held at the Ramada Inn in Topeka during a Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry meeting.


2019 

The Kansas Department of Commerce awarded $80,000 to the Kansas Business Hall of Fame from the Kansas Job Creation Program Fund. The funds were used as matching dollars to support the expansion of KBHF’s facility, enhancing its role in honoring business leaders and community engagement.

Dr. Ed Bashaw

Dean, Jones Distinguished Professor


Dr. Bashaw sees the potential in the Kansas Business Hall of Fame in providing experience and knowledge to business students, the community and Kansas. He provides the leadership and forward thinking needed to propel the KBHF into the future. 


INSPIRATIONAL NEW SPACE

our mission & vision

The Kansas Business Hall of Fame (KBHF) is dedicated to celebrating Kansas’ business legacy. We aim to honor outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to Kansas’ economic growth, inspiring future generations through recognition and education.

Our Milestones

Dr. James Leiker

Chairman of the Board


Dr. James Leiker is a professor in the Department of History and Political Science at Johnson County Community College.  He has founded JCCC's Kansas Studies Institute, and serves on several editorial boards. Dr. Leiker is also a Fulbright-Hays scholar. 

Dr. John Rich

Executive Director


Dr. Rich has been an instructor, professor, associate dean, interim dean, department chair, and even acting assistant vice president of Academic Affairs throughout the past 52 years with Emporia State University. 
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Honoring Kansas' Business Legacy, Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders

Dr. Ed Bashaw
Dean, School of Business & Technology
Emporia State University
ebashaw@emporia.edu

Dr. Larisa Genin
Dean, W. Frank Barton School of Business 
Wichita State University 
Larisa.genin@wichita.edu

Mr. Alan Cobb
President and CEO
Kansas Chamber of Commerce 
alanc@kansaschamber.org 

Ms. Susan Elliott 
Lead Registration Specialist - Continuing Education
Johnson County Community College
selliot9@jccc.edu

Mr. John Federico 
President
Federico Consulting Inc.: A Public Affairs Group 
john@federicoduerst.com

Dr. L. Paige Fields
Dean, School of Business 
The University of Kansas 
paige.fields@ku.edu

Ms. Beth Ginter 
Faculty
Emporia State University
eginter@emporia.edu

Dr. Paul W. Grimes
Dean, Gladys A. Kelce School of Business & Economics
Pittsburg State University
paul.grimes@pittstate.edu

Dr. Kevin Gwinner
Dean, College of Business Administration
Kansas State University
kgwinner@k-state.edu