Retiring & Hiring
Washburn University has hired Molly Pierson to join the Washburn University Student Life Team as director of residential living and assistant dean of students. She will have oversight of all the residence halls and assist in the overall management of student life. A native of Topeka, Pierson graduated summa cum laude from Washburn University in 2007. After graduating from Washburn, she enrolled at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where she earned her Master of Arts in College Student Personnel. After earning her master’s degree, Pierson worked at Washington University in St. Louis, where she currently serves as associate director of student life. Pierson first joined Washington University in 2009 as Honors Program Coordinator and later moved to the Office of Resident Life, where she was eventually promoted to associate director.
Appointments & Promotions
Two members were recently re-elected to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System board of trustees. Ernie (Paul E.) Claudel, of Olathe, was elected by KPERS school members to serve as the board’s school trustee. He was first elected to the KPERS board in 2013 and will enter his third term. Claudel is a retired educator and school administrator from Olathe Unified School District 233.
Current non-school trustee Ryan Trader, also of Olathe, was unopposed for the “non-school” position on the KPERS board and retains his current seat. He was first elected to the board in 2017 and will enter his second term. Trader is a firefighter and paramedic from the Olathe Fire Department.
Awards, Honors & Recognition
Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield, senior vice president of strategy for the Greater Topeka Partnership, has been selected by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives to participate in a leadership-development opportunity with nine other chamber of commerce professionals from communities throughout the United States. The Chamber Leadership Diversity Program is an immersive executive-development program that provides chamber of commerce professionals with education and networks to advance their careers, contribute to the future of the industry and create meaningful change in their communities. Over the course of the three-year program, participants will engage in a range of professional development opportunities designed to equip them with knowledge of best practices in chamber leadership, a strong peer network and national connections.
Foulston Siefkin LLP announced the firm and its attorneys have received top-tier rankings in the London-based Chambers USA 2021 Guide. Chambers USA ranks the top lawyers and law firms in all states across the U.S. using independent research. Leading law firms and individual lawyers are ranked based on the quality of technical legal ability, client service, depth of team, commercial vision and business understanding, diligence, value for money, and other qualities most valued by clients. In the 2021 Guide, Foulston received the most Band 1 firm rankings in the state of Kansas. The firm also received the highest ranking in six areas: Corporate M&A, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Labor & Employment, General Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Litigation and Tax Litigation. In the 2021 publication, 23 Foulston attorneys were also recognized in Kansas. Individual lawyers are ranked in their practice area(s) based on their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service. Chambers and Partners’ research methods consist of interviews with and feedback from clients and other lawyers in the market, assessment of the firm’s recent work, and independent research by the editors.
Denise Cunningham, Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center voluntary service chief, was recently recognized by Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service, as she earned the 2021 VAVS Award for Excellence. This award is the highest honor given to VA’s Voluntary Service Chiefs throughout the nation. The award was presented during a virtual ceremony May 28 by the director of the VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement.