Presidents of KMEA

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

  • Four served as KMEA Executive Director
    • F. Robert Hollowell, 1961-92
    • Don Corbett, 1992-2003
    • John W. Taylor, 2003-24
    • Craig Manteuffel, 2024-
  • 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, 1986-88
    • David Circle, 2005-07
  • 28 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

  • 2020: KMEA Hall of Fame
37.
Rick Ives
Clearwater
2003-05
36.
Ronald D. Chronister
Halstead
2001-03

  • 2005-07: MENC Southwestern Division President
35.
John W. Taylor
Wichita
1999-2001

  • 2003-24: KMEA Executive Director
  • 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
  • 1992-2003: KMEA Executive Director
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
14.
Donald R. Bailey
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