Western Kansas Community FoundationNew Board Members
Josh Biera received his Bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University, KS in 1992. He was also a student athlete during his collegiate years. Josh is a Lieutenant with the Kansas Highway Patrol in Garden City. He has served on the St. Dominic school board, Fort Hays State University Alumni Association, Department of Public Safety with Garden City Community College, Real Men Real Leaders, and several other organizations. Josh is married to Jeanine, who is a native of Sublette, KS and they have two children, Lincoln and Tylee. Josh and his family have been residents of Garden City for almost 20 years and he is excited to assist with the WKCF.
Peggy Gillen lives on the family farm near Leoti, KS where she and her husband are fourth generation farmers. For a couple of years after attending Bethel College and then graduating from Kansas State University, she was a social worker for the State of Kansas, working in Mound City, KS. Peggy then returned to the community that had provided her so many opportunities as she was growing up. For the past 40 years she has been the bookkeeper for the family farm. While raising two boys, Peggy gave piano lessons in the school system as well as at home and continues to serve the community as a pianist. She has served on the USD #467 Board of Education and is an Elder and Treasurer of Carwood Community Church in Leoti. Peggy is a founder of the Wichita County Community Foundation – an affiliate organization of WKCF - and has served as chairman, secretary and community coordinator for this organization. She continues to be active in her church and enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren.
Neal Gillespie was born and raised in Hugoton, KS. He went into the insurance business with his father after graduating from High School. Neal attained his CLU-degree from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1978. He enjoyed a successful career in insurance in Hugoton and Dodge City, KS for 26 years. In 1997, Neal was hired as Stevens County Economic Development Director. He served in that position for over 19 years until his retirement in 2017. Since retiring, Neal has been enjoying traveling and catching up on personal and family business matters. Neal has always been active in his church and his community. He served as Mayor of Hugoton for 12 years, from 1995-2007.
Christy Hopkins is the director of Greeley County Community Development in Tribune, KS. She is the secretary for Growing the Vision: A Foundation for the Future of Greeley County and treasurer of The Star Theater of Tribune, a community- owned movie theater. Christy serves on the Kansas Sampler Foundation board and is a core-team member of the PowerUps, a Kansas Sampler initiative dedicated to the empowerment and connection of Kansans aged 21-39 who are rural by choice. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in mass communications and film from Southwestern College in Winfield, KS.
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