Chase Blasi was born and raised in a community he now proudly represents in the Kansas Senate. He grew up in Colwich and attended Andale High School, both are in Northwest Sedgwick County. He graduated from Andale in 2012 and attended Newman University in Wichita KS to acquire a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management. It was in his last years in high school and his first years in college he began his work in politics. As a senior in high school, he became the youngest elected official in Kansas at the time to the Colwich City Council. He was then appointed to the Board of Directors of the Wichita Northwest YMCA, State Treasurer of the Kansas Young Republicans, Student Body President at Newman University, and much more. After graduating in 2016 with his bachelors, Chase started his work in the Statehouse. Beginning with Dugan consulting group, he became the Legislative Director at the Kansas Department of Revenue. His time at the Department of Revenue taught him a lot about state government, but in particular, gave him a lot of exposure to the legislature. He then continued his work on the legislative side serving as Senate President Wagle’s Legislative Director. After two years, he was promoted to Chief of Staff. After that, he served as President Masterson’s Chief of Staff. He left briefly to spend time in the private sector, he returned to the Kansas Senate as a Senator where he now serves as the Majority Leader. While he has had many jobs, his most important and favorite job is being a husband and a father. He’s married to Mckenna Blasi and they’re now raising four boys, Desmond, Damian, Peter and their most recent edition, Elijah.

TBA

The Seeber File

Ron Seeber was hired as KGFA’s president and CEO in October 2017 after working for the association since July 2008. He guides and coordinates association activities to include those of members and staff. Seeber is also responsible for maintaining a professional relationship with government, other associations, allied industry, educational institutions and the general public as necessary and in the best interest of the association and for attainment of its objectives.

He maintains a cooperative working relationship with all Regional National Organizations that we are affiliated with (NGFA, AFIA, GEAPS, TEGMA, NAEGA, ARA, CLA ,TFI, MACA and BIO.) He communicates KGFA/KARA policies and issues to those associations. He has regular communication with KGFA/KARA Chairmen, officers and members of the board and with committees and task forces on policy, programs and issues of both associations as appropriate.

Seeber earned a Political Science Degree from the University of Kansas. After graduating in 1991, he worked for Senator Bob Dole in Washington, DC until the Senator’s resignation from the United State’s Senate and unsuccessful Presidential Campaign. He moved back to Kansas in 1997 and worked as the Assistant Secretary of Administration for Governor Bill Graves, Political Director of the Kansas Republican Party , and then lobbied for 6 years for firm representing over 30 different companies and associations.

The Plaschka File

With a Ph.D. in Leadership Communication and 25 years of agriculture education experience, Russell has dedicated his career to developing Kansas’s agricultural workforce and fostering community partnerships. His work focuses on engaging communities to identify growth opportunities in agricultural sectors while building sustainable local workforces. At the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Russell has spearheaded initiatives connecting businesses with educational institutions to create career pathways and drive agricultural innovation. His approach emphasizes collaborative partnerships between producers, businesses, consumers, and educational institutions to advance agricultural growth across Kansas. Russell holds degrees in agriculture education and educational leadership from Kansas State University and grew up on a diversified farm in Eastern Kansas. Russell will join the Council on January 6, 2025.

The Stookey File

Randy Stookey was promoted to senior vice president after serving as the association’s general counsel since November 2011. Stookey is the lead lobbyist for the Associations and the contact for government affairs stakeholders from member companies and for lobbying clients. During the Legislative Session, Stookey monitors and responds to all bills of consequence for the industry. In addition, Stookey assists in the management of the Kansas Agri Business Council, the Associations’ Joint Political Action Committee.

Stookey is responsible for keeping current on all issues affecting the agribusiness industries and remaining knowledgeable on the regulations and laws pertaining to the grain and feed, fertilizer and agrichemical industries. Stookey is also the staff contact for Legislative Committees. As General Counsel, Stookey assists the President, Executive staff, Board, and membership with addressing legal questions and compliance issues.

The Stafford File

Shahira Stafford is a lifelong Kansan and has nearly 20 years of experience in all aspects of association management, focused primarily on government relations and communications. Most recently, Stafford served as Vice President of Government Affairs for the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and its affiliated agribusiness organizations and lobbying clients. Prior, she filled the role of Vice President of Marketing and Communications.