Board Members
Dr. Larry Dixon, President
Location: Junction City, KS
Term of Service: 2000-2006
Classification: Community Member
President of the Keys Board of Directors, Dr. Larry Dixon is also Assistant Superintendent of Geary County Unified School District. Prior to his current position, Dr. Dixon was in charge of Special Education in Junction City. Dr. Dixon graduated from Kansas State University.
Dr. John Randolph, Vice President
Location: Emporia, KS
Term of Service: 2003-2006
Classification: Parent
Bio not available
Greg Whittaker, Treasurer
Location: Scranton, KS
Term of Service: 2001-2004
Classification: Parent
Greg Whittaker joined the Keys Board of Directors in 2001 as Secretary. Greg came to Keys in 1998 after being referred by Kaw Valley. He has served in the Army for over four years and exited his career in the military as a Captain. He is currently self-employed.
In January 2001, Greg shared his experiences as the father of a child with serious mental health problems in the article, "Children in Anguish" in US News and World Report. He has experience with the Kansas juvenile justice system and special education system.
Juan Perez, Secretary
Location: Ulysses, KS
Term of Service: 2003-2006
Classification: Parent
Joining the Keys Board of Directors in 2000, Juan Perez is also the Principal of Kepley Middle School in Ulysses, Kansas. He has held his position as Principal for eight years. He began working with Keys in 1998 as a Technical Assistance Peer Network (TAP'N) consultant reaching the community around Ulysses. Juan is the parent of a child with serious mental health issues.
Juan also served as a member of:
The board of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (1993-1999) and was an executive member for the last three of those years (1996-1999).
The National Federation of High Schools where he has recently completed his first term (one term is four years).
Lori Christensen
Location: Leoti, KS
Term of Service: 10/2005
Classification: Parent
Bio not available
Mary Ellen Conlee
Location: Wichita, KS
Term of Service: 2002-2005
Classification: Community Member
Mary Ellen Conlee, the owner of Conlee Consulting Group, Inc., has provided lobbying and public affairs services in Kansas for 25 years. She is recognized as having experise in health care, managed care, Medicaid funding, mental health policy, post secondary technical education as well as community not-for-profit partnering with the state.
Rhonda Croft
Location: Olathe, KS
Term of Service: 2001-2004
Classification: Parent of school age child
Joining the Keys Board of Directors in 2001, Rhonda also serves as a Parent Support Specialist at Miami County Mental Health Center. In addition, Rhonda offers her time as a Wraparound Facilitator and Parent Support Specialist for Keys for Networking, Inc. Recently, Rhonda developed a parent support group. This group, POPS (Parents offering Parents Support) has brought support to many families. In addition, she is a volunteer for Families Together and trained teachers for NAMI
As the parent of three SED children, Rhonda has personal experience with children who have serious mental health issues. Rhonda has experience advocating and with children who have mental health needs.
Meaghan Dalton
Location: Topeka, KS
Term of Service: 2004-2009
Classification: Community Member
Bio not available
Ella Dawson
Location: Topeka, KS
Term of Service: 2002-2005
Classification: Parent of school age child
Ella has been a part of the Keys network since 1989. She presently works at Topeka SRS supervising the family service unit. She recently became involved with a pilot program at Keys which seeks to expand cultural diversity.
Ella is actively involved at her church, New Mount Zion Baptist Church. Here she volunteers by doing outreach to nursing homes in the Topeka community, works with the youth department, and serves as the Sunday school teacher for 2nd and 3rd graders. She is the mother of an adopted son with ADHD and an experienced service provider to children.
Deborah Howard
Location: Lawrence, KS
Term of Service: 2001-2004
Classification: Parent of school age child
Bio not available
Jo Lowe
Location: Garnett, KS
Term of Service: 2003-2006
Classification: Grandparent
Joining the Keys Board of Directors in 1999, Jo Lowe also works at Health Care Policy, with the Mental Health Children's Team. Jo has been busy assisting Parent Support Specialists in becoming a statewide organization, which is now a reality.
For 24 1/2 years, Jo worked for Southeast Kansas Mental Health Children's Team. She served as an adult case manager, supervisor of adult case managers, a children's case manager supervisor, and also worked in conjunction with the children case managers and carried a small caseload. In addition, Jo developed the Supported Employment/Supported Education program for adults.
Jo is the grandmother of a child with serious mental health issues.
Dora Hermacillo
Location: Hugoton, KS
Term of Service: 2004-2007
Classification: School, Mental Health
Bio not available
Barbara Peeples
Location: Kansas City, KS
Term of Service:10/2005
Classification: Parent
Bio not available
Diane Todd, Ph.D.
Location: Larned, KS
Term of Service: 10/2005
Classification: Professional
Bio not available