FlagshipKansas.Tech, a Wichita-based nonprofit focused on advancing the state as a tech and innovation hub, has named its newest executive director.
The industry advocacy group has hired Conner Hampton, who most recently worked as development director at Center City Academy and before that as relationship manager at United Way of the Plains, according to a Thursday news release.
"We are excited to welcome Conner as our new executive director and to work with our talented governing board to drive innovation and economic growth in Kansas," said Ben Sebree, chair of FlagshipKansas.Tech and senior vice president of R&D at CivicPlus. "Flagship plays a vital role in positioning Kansas as a leader in technology and innovation, and we are committed to pursuing that goal with unwavering determination and enthusiasm."
Hampton will step in following the October departure of Ashley Scheideman, who had moved on to a new role with Millennium Corp., a Washington, D.C.-based cybersecurity company that opened a local office in March 2021.
Hampton, who has experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and relationship-building, led the $6-million fundraising campaign to build a new early child development center in downtown Wichita for Center City Academy, and had been an advocate for improving child-care availability in the Wichita area.
"I am excited to join FlagshipKansas.Tech and work alongside such a talented and passionate board," Hampton said. "I look forward to building upon the organization's strong foundation and driving growth and innovation in the technology sector in Kansas."
Flagship, originally launched in early 2019, works to raise awareness about the tech industry in Kansas, attract and retain tech talent, and supports workforce training and education.
In addition to hiring a new executive director, the organization also added five new board members:
- Callie Harris, assistant principal at Pray-Woodman Elementary in Maize
- Anthony Muscat, dean of Wichita State University's College of Engineering
- Jade Piros de Carvalho, director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development
- Steve Werner, CEO and co-founder of Lawn Buddy
- Quinn Robertson, senior associate at NXTUS and its angel investor group, Accelerate Venture Partners
In 2022, the organization says it received more than $645,000 in grant funding, launched a registered apprenticeship program for tech roles, and hosted its inaugural Ad Astra Technology Summit, which attracted about 150 attendees in September.
Luis Rodriguez, president at Keycentrix, is Flagship's outgoing board chair and will continue to support the group as immediate past chair while Sebree takes over the role.
“As a founding board member, I’ve watched the organization grow and mature. We continue to evolve to support the long-term health, sustainability and success of the organization,” Rodriguez said. “I’m confident this will set the stage for more growth and expansion of value for our members and our state."
