8
January 2014
Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jim Maher,
SPHR
Bill Persinger
Mental Health Center of
East Central Kansas
Simmons Pet Food
Jim Maher
Simmons Pet Food
Title and brief
description of
responsibilities:
Human Resources
Manager. Enjoys the
spirit and drive of the
Simmons Pet Food
team.
Education:
Graduate of Emporia State with a BS in Business
Administration.
Career highlights: has been a Human Resources
and Management practitioner for over 30 years.
Previous work experience: previously worked
in Emporia for IBP before it was acquired by Tyson.
Jim has spent most of his professional career in the
food industry.
Boards and/or committees on which
currently serving: Jim currently serves on the
Kansas Works State Board, and is a member of
that organization’s Executive Committee. He also
serves on the United Way of the Flint Hills Board.
Jim previously served as President of SEK Inc., a
business and economic development organization,
and was Vice-Chair of Local Area V Kansas
Workforce Investment Board. Jim also was an
adjunct instructor for Labette Community College,
and a facilitator for the Business Development Forum
Series in Parsons, Kansas.
Spouse and children: Jim and his wife Neddy
have been married over 35 years; have two sons
and five grandchildren. Jim and his wife returned to
Emporia in 2012, making Emporia their residence
for the third time.
Other interesting facts: Something that almost
no one knows: he had the privilege of serving
as the editor of the 2013 edition of SHRM’s
Learning System, Module 1: Business Management
and Strategy. He has also served the HR and
business community by advocating with legislative
representatives on the State and Federal level.
Bill Persinger
Mental Health Center
of East Central Kansas
of the Center’s Mission.
Title and brief
description of
responsibilities:
Executive Director;
responsible for overall
operations, budgeting,
planning, community and
government relations,
supervision of executive
staff and implementation
Education: In 1977 Bill graduated from Emporia
State University with a BSE, and in1978 he received a
MS in 7