The Kansas Sampler Foundation announced that its newest board member is Stacy Barnes, city administrator of Greensburg.
Foundation director Marci Penner said, "I've watched Stacy work for the betterment of her city, region and state for awhile now and know that she will represent rural communities well on our board. She's very familiar with our projects and philosophy and we are excited to have her help make decisions on behalf of rural culture."
Barnes grew up in Greensburg and moved back shortly after the May 2007 tornado to work for the city. She served as assistant to the city administrator, Big Well Museum and Tourism director and for the last two years has been the city administrator. She helped organize the Kansas Sampler Foundation's inaugural Big Kansas Road Trip in 2018 in Barber, Comanche and Kiowa counties. She recently served as president of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas and is active with the 5.4.7 Arts Center.
Barnes said, “Rural communities have an amazing opportunity right now to show the world our value. We might not be for everyone but we are not "less than" just because we are small. I am passionately Rural by Choice and want to work for the sustainability of the rural communities we call home."
Barnes replaces Andrea Springer of Hutchinson who served two terms on the board, many years as president. Other board members are Sarah Werner, Winfield; RJ Wilson, Shawnee; Shannon Martin, Dexter; and Simone Elder, Leoti.
The mission of the Kansas-based non-profit is to preserve and sustain rural culture.
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