CEO is such a great opportunity for students and business specialists to connect, create, and develop amazing ideas in our county. Our hope is that these amazing students keep their talents in Dickinson County and help us thrive far into the future.

Dr. Smith has been the principal at Abilene High School for 11 years.

A proud “boomerang” Julie Roller Weeks left Dickinson County to return 15 years later.

Originally from Woodbine, Kansas, Julie returned home in fall 2016 to accept the job as Director of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau with the City of Abilene.

Before joining the CVB, she worked at the Kansas Department of Agriculture on the Ag Marketing team with the From the Land of Kansas program; the Wamego-based Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation where she served as the Director of the Kansas Sampler Festival; and as a Main Street Director for Downtown Augusta Inc.

Julie is Vice President of Dickinson County CEO, President-Elect of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas, and a board member of the Community Foundation of Dickinson County’s Kansas Community Philanthropy Innovators Network (KCPIN) and Kansas Rural Communities Foundation. She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Dickinson County Republican Women and Central Committee, the Kansas Sampler Foundation’s PowerUp core committee, and the Kansas Explorers Club.

She is a graduate of Chapman High School, Kansas State University, ICMA Gettysburg Leadership Institute, Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program, the Kansas Farm Bureau Masters program, and the Eisenhower Series of Excellence in Public Service.

I was born and raised in Dickinson County and graduated from Chapman High School.  For the last 2 years I’ve managed Astra Insurance Services in Chapman, and the prior 10 years worked as an ag/commercial loan officer for Astra Bank in Abilene.

I’m proud to be a part of the first CEO program in the State of Kansas.  The students enrolled in this program have a unique opportunity to gain knowledge from many business owners and mentors that reside in Dickinson County.  It will be exciting to see what these students are able to accomplish in the coming years.

I’m most excited about our CEO students experiencing a strong local business connection. This connection goes both ways, businesses have a chance to get acquainted with a terrific group of students. Through speakers, mentors, and county-wide business field trips CEO students have an opportunity to take a “fresh look” at where they live! I look forward to the ripple effect of these experiences.

Kyle was born and raised in Dickinson County. He graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in secondary education. He and his wife Stephanie chose to return to Abilene and while Kyle chose a different career than his educational degree he has stayed very involved in education. He is the president of the Abilene School board and is very active in the community. Kyle is also a partner at Smart Insurance. He and his wife have 3 sons Kaleb, Kyson, and Kolt.

"I am excited to see the CEO program grow in our county. I believe it will give our high school students a lot of great opportunities and experiences that they will be able to use throughout their lives."

"I am looking forward to seeing the Dickinson County CEO Program in action, giving an edge to the future entrepreneurs in our county. To have such a great group of school districts working together to bring this program to our students and business community is impressive and exciting!"

"I am looking forward to seeing the Dickinson County CEO Program in action, giving an edge to the future entrepreneurs in our county. To have such a great group of school districts working together to bring this program to our students and business community is impressive and exciting!"

The Community Foundation is pleased to be the Fiscal Agent for the 1st CEO program in Kansas. We are looking forward to seeing all the fantastic entrepreneurial projects these students are going to achieve.

My wife, Amy, and I own DK Sports & Fitness in Chapman.  Amy is a Chapman HS graduate.  We moved to Dickinson County when our oldest was ready to enter school.  We strongly believe in the value system of a smaller community such as Chapman and wanted our children to be brought up in an environment that would avail them to that value system.  We have been in the county for 15 years and I am excited to have established a business here to serve our great communities.  We are proud to serve all of Dickinson County (hence the name, “DK”), as well as the neighboring counties.  I am similarly proud to be associated with the Dickinson County CEO program, as it provides a great opportunity for our young people to learn early not only the rewards of creating a business, but also the trials and tribulations one must endure to attain those rewards. I am excited to see our budding CEO’s grow.

I am the principal of Chapman High School and it is the start of my 19th year as an administrator in the district. Our school was honored to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award for academics and has been recognized in the top 1% in the Nation for our FFA chapter. The school is also known for having over six school run businesses which lines up very well to the unique opportunity that the CEO program provides for hands on real life learning. I have two children with a girl who just graduated and a boy just starting his high school career.

Solomon Schools is excited to partner with the other Dickinson County schools in providing this great on-the-job opportunity for our students. Exposing them to successful business leaders across the county will allow our students to learn from the best. The skills gained through this partnership with business and education will help strengthen the future of our students and our county. USD 393 is proud to be a part of this amazing experience.

My wife and I were born and raised in Dickinson County are were glad to come back home 7 years ago and become a part of the Solomon Gorilla family. Solomon was an easy choice for us to raise our four children. Our family is involved in many activities including church, 4-H, sporting events, raising animals on our farm, helping with our own families on their farms, and of course attending KSU football games!