Presidents of KMEA

From 1934 to 2027, 48 people will have held the office of KMEA President. Of these…

  • Three served as KMEA Executive Director
    • F. Robert Hollowell, 1961-1992
    • Don Corbett, 1992-2002
    • John W. Taylor, 2002-present
  • Five served as MENC/NAfME Southwestern Division President
    • Gayle McMillen, 2001-03
    • Ronald D. Chronister, 2005-07
    • John W. Taylor, 2011-13
    • Mike Quilling, 2021
    • Martha Gabel, 2023-25
  • Two served as MENC National President
    • Don Corbett, 1986-1988
    • David Circle, 2005-07
  • 27 are in the KMEA Hall of Fame

49.
 Damian Johnson
Eudora
2025-27
48.
 Jamie Minneman
Great Bend
2023-25
47.
 Mark Gard
Coffeyville
2021-23
46.
 Gae Phillips
Columbus
2019-21
45.
 Gretchen Bixler
Goddard
2017-19
44.
 Martha Gabel
Olathe
2015-17

  • 2023-25: NAfME Southwestern Division President
43.
 Avian Bear
Overland Park
2013-15

  • 2018: KMEA Hall of Fame
42.
 Craig Manteuffel
Hays
2011-13

  • 2015-present: KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director for Fine Arts
41.
 Mike Quilling
Deerfield
2009-11

  • 2019-21: NAfME Southwestern Division President
  • 2021: KMEA Hall of Fame
40.
 Jean Ney
Kansas City
2007-09

  • 2014: KMEA Hall of Fame
39.
 Rick Ives
Clearwater
2006-07
38.
 Dee Hansen
Lawrence
2005-06
37.
 Rick Ives
Clearwater
2003-05
36.
 Ronald D. Chronister
Halstead
2001-03

  • 2005-07: MENC Southwestern Division President
35.
 John W. Taylor
Wichita
1999-01

  • 2002-present: KMEA Executive Director
    Predecessor: Don Corbett
  • 2011-13: NAfME Southwestern Division President
  • 2016: KMEA Hall of Fame
34.
 Gayle McMillen
Salina
1997-99

  • 2001-03: MENC Southwestern Division President
  • 2009: KMEA Hall of Fame
33.
 Vernon Nicholson
Wichita
1995-97

  • 2000: KMEA Hall of Fame
32.
 Jeff Anderson
Lawrence
1993-95

  • 2018: KMEA Hall of Fame
31.
 Robert Lee
Haven
1991-93

  • 2005: Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame
  • 2007: KMEA Hall of Fame
30.
 Jodie Russell
Independence
1989-91
29.
 Vaughn Lippoldt
Coffeyville
1987-89

  • 2005: KMEA Hall of Fame
28.
 Larry R. Williams
Winfield
1985-87

  • 2002: KMEA Hall of Fame
27.
 David Circle
Shawnee Mission
1982-85

  • 2002: KMEA Hall of Fame
  • 2005-07: MENC National President
26.
 Betty G. Owens
Manhattan
1981-82
25.
 Lyle Dilley
Hays
1979-81

  • 1990: KMEA Hall of Fame
24.
 William Lilley
Hutchinson
1977-79

  • 2013: KMEA Hall of Fame
23.
 Robert A. Steinbauer
Manhattan
1975-77

  • 1999: KMEA Hall of Fame
22.
 Edwin Bartley
Lawrence
1973-75

  • 2005: KMEA Hall of Fame
21.
 Don Corbett
Hutchinson/Wichita
1971-73

  • 1986-1988: MENC National President
  • 1997: KMEA Hall of Fame
  • 1992-2002: KMEA Executive Director
    Predecessor: F. Robert Hollowell
    Successor: John Taylor
20.
 Gerald M. Carney
Lawrence
1969-71

  • 1977: KMEA Hall of Fame
19.
 Kenneth Shaheen
Great Bend
1967-69

  • 2006: KMEA Hall of Fame
18.
 Thayne Tolle
Lindsborg
1965-67
17.
 Leroy Esau
Hutchinson
1963-65
16.
 Dean B. Owen
Dighton
1961-63
15.
 F. Robert Hollowell
Wichita
1959-61

  • 1980: KMEA Hall of Fame
  • 1961-1992: KMEA Executive Director
    Successor: Don Corbett
14.
 Donald R. Bafley
Russell
1956-59
13.
 Harold G. Palmer
Hays
1954-56

  • 1976: KMEA Hall of Fame
12.
 James H. Barrett
Hutchinson
1952-54
11.
 J. Milford Crabb
Kansas City
1950-52

  • 1978: KMEA Hall of Fame
10.
 William H. Beck Jr.
Colby
1947-50

  • 1981: KMEA Hall of Fame
9.
 Gerald N. Weaver
Pratt
1945-47
8.
 G. Lewis Doll
Kansas City
1944-45
7.
 Catharine E. Strouse
Emporia
1943-44

  • 1978: KMEA Hall of Fame
6.
 Alan Watrous
Hutchinson
1942-43
5.
 N. Voss Napier
Ellsworth
1940-42

  • 1978: KMEA Hall of Fame
4.
 Grace V. Wilson
Wichita
1938-40

  • 1980: KMEA Hall of Fame
3.
 William G. Altimari
Atchison
1937-38

  • 1978: KMEA Hall of Fame
2.
 Virgil F. Parman
Dodge City
1936-37
1.
 David T. Lawson
Topeka
1934-36

  • 1985: KMEA Hall of Fame