Board of Directors

Dr. Brian Wolfe is has served as Thrive’s Chairman since the organization’s founding in 2006. Brian is a native Iowan, but moved to Kansas for school, attending Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He received a BS in Biology and Chemistry (Class of 1975) and went on to receive his M.D. from the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita in 1979. He performed his residency at the Wesley Family Practice Residency in Wichita, Kansas from 1979-1982. Dr. Wolfe moved to Iola in 1982, where he continues to practice as a partner in The Family Physicians. He is married to Susan Lynn, the owner/publisher of the Iola Register. He has three children, Jeff, Eric (Casiee), and Mark (Sasha), and has three stepchildren, Tim, Aaron, and Louise Stauffer. Brian and his family live in Iola.

Alan Weber joined the Thrive Board of Directors in August 2008 and serves as Thrive’s Vice-Chair. Mr. Weber is a graduate of Iola High School (Class of ’70), Allen County Community College (Class of ’72), The University of Kansas (Class of ’74) and the University of Kansas School of Law (Class of ’77). Mr. Weber has practiced law in Allen County for over 30 years in both private practice and for the last 15 years as County Counselor. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association, The Kansas Bar Association and the Kansas County Counselors Association. Mr. Weber has a daughter, Katie, who is a graduate of Humboldt High School and the University of Kansas.

Dr. Randy Weber is Thrive’s Treasurer and has served on the Thrive Board of Directors since August 2008 . Randy is the Dean of Student Affairs/Athletic Director at Allen Community College and holds a BS and MS from the University of Kansas and a Ed.D. from Baker University. He is a member of Thrive’s Healthy Lifestyles committee and is active in the community as a member of the Iola Recreation Advisory Board and a founding member of Allen County Young Professionals. Randy is an Iola resident.

Don Burns joined the Thrive board of Directors in August 2009. Don is a graduate of Parsons High School (’69), served in the United States Navy, and later attended Allen County Community College. Don worked for more than 25 years at Gates Rubber Company in Iola in roles including distribution, analyzing space and layout, and conducting troubleshooting for the company. Don is currently Director of Grounds and Maintenance for USD 257-Iola, where he oversees the district’s portfolio of buildings and real estate. Don is married to Jane Burns and has a daughter, Becky, who serves as an intern for Thrive Allen County. Don and his family reside in Gas.

Georgia has been an Iola resident since 1975. She joined the Thrive Board in August 2010. She is a 1965 graduate of Shawnee Mission North High School and received a BSE from Emporia State University in 1970. She taught middle school science for five years before becoming a stay at home mom for daughter Jennie. She became an eligibility supervisor at the Chanute SRS office. She served on both the USD 257 and ANW Special Education Cooperative Boards for 20 years serving as the USD's board president for 6 years and the Coop's for 18. She has also served on Hope Unlimited's Board of Directors and as an advisory board member for Allen County Hospital Ethics Forum. She has been a certified Bridges Out of Poverty trainer for 4 years.

Connie McWhirter, Moran - Board Member

Connie has been on Thrive’s Board of Directors since 2008. She is a native of Sterling, Kansas and graduated from Sterling High School in 1976. She attended Sterling College for 1 year and then suspended her education in order to get married to her husband Ken McWhirter. Connie finished her BFA in Art/Interior Design in 1983. Connie and her family moved to Moran in 1984. She has three children, Philip-May, Susan, and Kenna. Connie is very involved with the Moran community, having served on the Moran Days Committee, Moran Thrive/PRIDE and is the Moran Library Director. Connie and her family reside in Moran.