All Rise and Sunflower Foundation: It’s Your Business

Former Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss has been selected to join the board of directors of All Rise, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing treatment courts and other justice innovations for individuals affected by substance use and mental health disorders. The number of treatment courts in the US has surpassed 4,000, linking over 150,000 people to treatment annually.

The Sunflower Foundation has announced the appointments of Jim Martin and Angie Strecker, both from Topeka, and the reappointment of Mike Matson from Manhattan to its Board of Trustees. The foundation’s board comprises nine members, with the Kansas attorney general appointing eight trustees and the ninth appointed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Kris Kobach appointed Martin, a professor and senior lecturer at Washburn University School of Business and retired senior vice president of Westar Energy Inc., while reappointing Matson, the director of external affairs for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. BCBSKS President and CEO Matthew All appointed Strecker, who recently retired from BCBSKS after 38 years of service, most recently as the vice president of Provider and Institutional Relations.

Sunflower Foundation’s President and CEO Brandon Skidmore expressed excitement about Martin and Strecker joining the Board of Trustees, citing their wealth of experience in healthcare, finance, and community improvement work. Martin replaces Jay Kennedy, CEO of First National Bank of Frankfort, while Strecker fills the seat previously held by former BCBSKS President and CEO Andy Corbin. Matson is serving his third and final term on the board.

For Topeka-area hirings, promotions, retirements, and other announcements, submissions can be emailed to iyb@cjonline.com.