The Salina Area United Way recently announced the names of six community members who have joined the local United Way board of directors.
“All these individuals bring different insight that I believe will benefit our organization greatly and continue moving us forward to better serve our funded partners in the community,” said Claire Ludes, executive director of the Salina Area United Way.
Each of the new members is scheduled to serve a three-year term.
Following is information about the new board members as provided by the Salina Area United Way.
Amanda Wilson
Wilson has lived in Salina most of her life and loves to be involved in the community. She has more than 13 years of law enforcement experience and three years of experience in the Salina banking industry. She is beginning a new endeavor as a financial examiner for the State of Kansas.
Kathy Cook
Cook was born and raised in Independence, Kan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in workforce development with an emphasis in supervision and leadership from Pittsburg State University. Cook worked in insurance for 11 years before joining Great Plains Mfg., Inc. in August of 2012. She is currently the sales and marketing administrator for the Land Pride division.
Amanda Otto
Otto is a lifelong resident of Salina and is passionate about serving the community. She is a member of Salina Rotary, Kiwanis, and Noon Network Ambucs, and is a Leadership Salina graduate. Amanda is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina and is excited for the opportunity to continue serving the Salina community.
Jenn Reitz
Reitz is the director of advertising sales and creative marketing for Salina 311 and owner of Business Buzz Creative Marketing. She also served nearly three years as the director of sales at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Salina Downtown. Reitz was recently on the board of Salina Downtown, Inc. and currently is a member of the Love Salina and Kansas Crossroads Marathon committees.
Mary Goad
Goad grew up in Emporia and is a graduate of Emporia State University. She is a senior vice president/branch manager/loan officer at The Bank of Tescott and has more than 26 years of banking experience. Her passion is providing financial education to students in Salina and surrounding areas. She was part of the Leadership Salina team that brought Finance Now to USD 305 thru Communities in Schools and the Salina Area United Way. She has been a member of the Salina Area United Way's Program Committee for many years and will chair that committee in 2022.
Michael Robben
Robben grew up in western Kansas and moved to Salina in 1992. He is also a veteran who served in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.