The Kansas Board of Regents say an Emporia State alum will officially lead the search for the university’s next leader.
Jim Kessler was announced as the search committee chair Friday. Kessler graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. He went from employee to co-owner of Modern Air Conditioning before retiring as president and owner in 2017. Besides his time on the ESU Foundation Board of Directors, Kessler served two four-terms on the Emporia City Commission and has been active in Emporia’s business development conversations for years, including time as past board chair of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Emporia, as well as chair for both the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas and Emporia Enterprises.
The rest of the committee membership will be announced by the Board of Regents soon, according to spokesman Matt Keith.
The search is starting soon after current president Ken Hush announced his retirement effective in mid-December. Hush followed Allison Garrett, first as interim president in 2021 and as permanent leader the following year.
