Chapter Officers
President, Marti Leisinger (785) 233-8200 x4307
Marti Leisinger is a native of Topeka. She attended Hayden High School and graduated from Washburn University with a BBA in Business Management and in 1999 received her MBA from Washburn. She also attended Washburn Law School where she received her Juris Doctorate in 2000. Marti has worked for Shawnee County since 1996. She started in the Information Technology Department of the County where she worked as a Systems Analyst/Team Leader. She is currently the County's Financial Administrator. She is married to Shawn Leisinger, Assistant County Counselor, Shawnee County. They have a 24 year-old daughter, Nicole, and a 1 year-old granddaughter, Giselle.
The President serves for a three year commitment, first as President-Elect, then as President, and then as the Immediate Past-President. The primary responsibility of the President-Elect is to Chair the Professional Development Conference Committee.
![Marshall Kennedy]()
Marshall Kennedy ...
The President Elect serves for a three year commitment, first as President-Elect, then as President, and then as the Immediate Past-President. The primary responsibility of the President-Elect is to Chair the Professional Development Seminars and the Professional Development Conference Committee.
Immediate Past-President, Larry Barrett (785) 845-4784
Larry is the Audit Manager for the Kansas Health Policy Authority. He is a C.M.A., Certified Managerial Accountant. He has a BA from Friends University, an MBA from Wichita State University; an MS from the University of Kansas and attended the Walton Institute at the University of Arkansas. He previously worked for the Larned State Hospital as its Chief Accountant and worked in the private sector for firms including Cessna, Wal-Mart, SAFELITE Glass Corporation and The Profit Recovery Group International. He also owned his own company, Auditing Services, Inc. Larry has grown children, enjoys distance running, classic cars, travel, concerts and theatre.
Treasurer, Susan James (785) 291-3120
![Susan James]()
Susan serves as Controller for the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). She is a Certified Public Accountant and received a BS in Accountancy from the University of Illinois. She has worked for KHRC since its inception in 2003. Prior to joining KHRC, she was a member of the Department of Administration’s 2002 Financial Integrity Team, which completed the first State of Kansas Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Prior to joining the State of Kansas, she worked for six CPA firms in five states and served as Controller for a general contractor and developer and as Business Manager for the American Red Cross. Susan and her husband, Mark, have two children, Jacob and Sara, and live North of Topeka.
As the Treasurer for the Topeka Chapter, she reviews all financial transactions and sits on the Chapter Executive Committee, the body that establishes policies to implement the Bylaws and conduct routine business. The position of Treasurer is elected on an annual basis, and in accordance with the Bylaws, the incumbant cannot be re-elected.
Secretary, Alice Yang (785) 368-1611
The Secretary takes minutes of meetings and maintains the historical records for the organization. One of the hardest tasks in any organization is remembering from one year to the next, and one group of volunteers to the next, just what has happened in the past. Knowing the past helps Chapter leaders to focus on the future.
Chapter Directors
Education Chair - Professional Lecture Series: Sandra Dreasher (785) 291-3802
Sandy Dreasher was born and raised in Chase County about 40 miles west and south of Emporia, Kansas. She attended Barkley College in Haviland, KS and Emporia State University. Sandy has been an employee of the Kansas Insurance Department since July 1985 when she started working in the Insurance Securities Vault that was located in the Docking Building. She has worked as an Accountant in the Financial Services Division and will be retiring this September. Sandy and her husband Duane have five children and nine grandchildren. They spend as much time as possible going to their grandchildren’s school activities, baseball, basketball and football games.
This position coordinates the Professional Lecture Series for the Topeka Chapter by soliciting high quality speakers, obtaining a convenient location, developing announcements for lectures, setting up a luncheon menu, and documenting CPE for attendees.
Community Service: Nickie Roberts (785) 272-0915
Nickie Roberts retired with 35 years of service to the State of Kansas. She has been an active member of AGA since 1998. In membership year 1999-2000, she was elected as "Member of the Year". Currently, she serves as our Community Service Chair. Previous state employment was with Kansas Bureau of Investigation from 1976 to 1997. Nickie also serves as Treasurer on the Fox Ridge Cooperative Townhouses Board of Directors and as secretary for the Heartland Association of Cooperative Housing Association in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Community Service Chair coordinates activities of the Chapter related to our assistance to community organizations and special needs. For the past several years, AGA has been closely identified with the Race Against Breast Cancer, Battered Women Task Force, Topeka Rescue Mission, Toys for Tots, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, American Heart Walk and the Ronald McDonald House. The coordination of these activities requires a strong working relationship with many community organizations and the development of a team of volunteers from within the Chapter Membership.
Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) Program Chair: Brandi Baer (785) 296-4551
Brandi is a State Auditor in the Office of the Racing and Gaming Commission. Brandi received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Washburn University in May of 2003 and received her Master of Business Administration from Washburn University in December of 2004. Brandi carries the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
AGA provides the CGFM certification on an international basis. This year, AGA is working hard to encourage persons to obtain the CGFM certification. Special intensive training sessions are available at the national meetings, and examinations are available there for free to those taking the intensive sessions. This certification has become the national standard for governement finance professionals. This position is charged with developing ways to encourage professionals to obtain the certification and to make it as easy as possible for them to do that.
Melinda Richter is a December, 2000 graduate of Emporia State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. She worked for a private CPA firm prior to being recruited by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to take over as their Grants Manager.
The Membership Chair is the principle communicator between the Chapter and its members. This position recruits new members, encourages current members to stay members, and coordinates with regional and national membership coordinators on monthly and quarterly conference calls. An important element of this position is keeping the Executive Committee up to date on a monthly basis of any changes that take place and of success with recruiting efforts.
Chapter Early Careers Program: Lori Threadgold (785) 296-4452
![Melinda Richter]()
Lori is the Senior Accountant for Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Kansas and received her Master of Business Administration from Washburn University.
This position focuses on those persons that are considered to be at the beginning of their career in government finance. The task is to identify these people and generate a dialog with them and between them that provides assistance in their current tasks, but also in their future leadership potential within governmental agencies.
Chapter Recognition Program: Linda Clark (785) 296-7894
Linda Clark has been at the Kansas Development Finance Authority since July 2004 and is currently the Chief Fiscal Officer. From 2000 - 2004 she was the Financial Director for the Topeka Housing Authority. She is a graduate of Christian Brothers College in Memphis, TN with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
This position tracks the Chapter's activities, capturing the points available from the national organization for activities directed in accordance with the vision of the national organization. This position assists in the conduct of programs and in the direction of the Chapter to help assure conformance with the National vision. The Chapter has received the Platinum level service award for the past several years. Platinum is the highest award available.
Bylaws: Fred Baer (785) 286-0723
Fred has recently graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Finance.
The Bylaws Chairperson reviews the Bylaws of the organization and proposes changes to keep the Bylaws consistent with the AGA National Bylaws and with the activities and functions of the AGA Topeka Chapter.
Awards: Fred Baer (785) 272-8681, ext 207
Awards: Nickie Roberts (785) 272-8681, ext 207
The Awards Chairpersons are responsible for ensuring the Chapter is recognized for its efforts in accordance with the catagories available for such recognition. Awards are usually submitted once annually and include catagories such as Education, Community Service, and Chapter CGFM Award.
Communications - Newsletter Editor, Muriah Baker (785) 296-2093
Muriah is an accountant with the Division of Accounts and Reports assigned to a special project. She is currently assigned to the Financial Management System implementation project.
The Newsletter Editor coordinates the assembling of articles for the monthly publication, authoring articles on topics of interest to our members and ensuring a timely distribution to the members.
Audio Conference Chair: Linda Farlow (785) 272-8681
Linda Farlow is an Accountant with the Kansas State Historical Society and Museum.
The Audio Conference Chairperson is responsible for coordinating the conduct of the audio conferences for the Chapter. These duties relate to the reserving of a room, obtaining telephone services, connecting to the national call service, and following up should any problems develop.
Web Site Development and Maintenance: Walter V. Darling (785) 286-3457
The Topeka Chapter's new web site was developed, and is hosted by, the Information Network of Kansas. Walt is working as the web master, making changes and adding information. If you have information you would like to have on the site or find errors, please let Walt know. You can contact him at 785-286-3457 or email him at Walt_Darling@hotmail.com
Midwestern Region Officers
Regional Coordinator for Education, Walter Darling (785) 286-3457
The Regional Coordinator for Education is responsible for coordinating the educational activities for the Midwestern Region, a four-state region within AGA, including Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. Within that Region are eight AGA Chapters. They are located in Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines, Saint Louis, Jefferson City, Springfield, Kansas City, and Topeka. Walt's responsibility is to coordinate educational activities of the Chapters and assist in their development.
Regional Coordinator for Early Careers, Melinda Richter (785) 296-4452
The Regional Coordinator for Early Careers is part of a six-person regional team that is responsible for the communication between Chapters of the Midwestern Region on issues relating to the recruitement and retention of professional's within their first three years of professional service. This responsibility includes the development of information and the development of dialog regarding "best practices" used by Chapters to recruit new members.
