Sen. Moran Announces 2025 Service Academy Selection Board

Posted September 12, 2025

Washington–U.S. Senator Jerry Moran today announced the members of his 2025 Service Academy Selection Board. The board will review applications and interview candidates who are applying for admission to the U.S. Service Academies.

Applicants will be interviewed by the selection board on Saturday, September 27th, at Wichita State University. The U.S. Service Academies include the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

“Nominating Kansas students for service academies is one of my greatest honors as a U.S. Senator,” said Sen. Moran. “I appreciate this year’s Service Academy Selection Board for their dedication in choosing to invest in the next generation of leaders who are stepping up to defend and serve our nation. The young men and women applying to attend our service academies have already demonstrated integrity, a strong work ethic and dedication to our country, and they represent the best of Kansas. I am grateful for their desire to serve and look forward to receiving the board’s recommendations.”

Sen Moran’s 2025 Service Academy Selection Board:

  • Judy Bauer of Leavenworth – Vice President, Henry Leavenworth Chapter Association of the U.S. Army
  • Christian Bishop of Manhattan – Military Relations Manager, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Myca Bunch of Garden City – President, Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Air Force veteran
  • Lisa Dwornicki of Goddard – Substitute teacher, Goddard USD 265; parent of two children in U.S. Service Academies
  • Col. (RET) Kevin Faughnder of Norton – CEO, Norton County Hospital; U.S. Army veteran
  • Sheila Hachmeister of Natoma – Chief Financial Officer, Rooks County Health Center; parent of U.S. Naval Academy graduate
  • Michael James, Ph.D. of Hillsboro – Executive Director of Administration and Finance, Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology; U.S. Naval Academy graduate
  • Darryl Kelly of Wichita – Director of Business Partnerships, Kansas Leadership Center; U.S. Air Force veteran
  • Lindsay King, Ph.D., of Wichita – Director of College and Career Readiness, Maize Career Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy graduate
  • Ryan Kisner of Kismet – Principal, Southwestern Heights High School; U.S. Army veteran
  • Ryan Kriegshauser of Olathe – Attorney; U.S. Navy Reservist
  • Karla Lees of Dodge City – President, Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Navy veteran
  • Sara Lewis of Fairway – Former Naval Aviator and former U.S. Naval Academy Adjunct Professor; U.S. Naval Academy graduate
  • Jennifer Mathes of Bartlett – Labette County Farm Bureau Board member; parent of two sons in U.S. Service Academies
  • Col. (RET) Dean Mitchell of Tonganoxie – Management Consultant, Burns & McDonnell; U.S. Army veteran
  • Major (RET) Cortney Neblett, RN of McCune – Education and Risk Management Director, Labette Health; U.S. Air Force veteran
  • Halley Roberson of Beloit – City Manager, City of Beloit; U.S. Army veteran
  • Jennifer Simmelink of Esbon – Executive Director, Kansas Soil Health Alliance; parent of U.S. Air Force Academy cadet
  • Brett Talkington of Matfield Green – District Quality Manager, Kiewit Power Constructors Co.; U.S. Military Academy graduate
  • Jacob Wood of Salina – City Manager; Army veteran
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