Greater Kansas City Chapter

(KC AUSA) (Chapter #5503)

Kansas & Missouri

KC AUSA VISION:

KC AUSA connects our community with the United States Army.

We thank our Community and National Partners for their continued support.

Community Partners:

• CGSC Foundation, Inc.

• KAMO Adventures

• MHW Public Relations & Communications

• National WWI Museum

• Parade Rest Displays

• University of Central Missouri

• Western Governors University - Missouri

National Partners:

• Olin-Winchester 

• Samsung Electronics America

• SOFTwarfare

• Veterans United Home Loans

• Western Governors University

KC AUSA MISSION:

The chapter supports soldiers, families, Army civilian professionals, and the local community through our programs, products, resources, and events.

What does KC AUSA do?

• Educates the stakeholders we serve with programs, products, resources, and events.


• Informs our stakeholders and the public about issues affecting America’s Army.


• Connects local and regional Army units, community partners, like-minded associations, and other supporters at the chapter, regional, and national levels (ROTC, Recruiting, business/industry, community leaders, veterans / retirees, VFW / DAV / American Legion).

What value does KC AUSA provide?

• Provides educational programs, speakers, community outreach events, awards programs, and Soldier for Life programs.


• Supports Army installations, units, organizations, associations, and community partners.


• Facilitates better understanding and meaningful connections between the Army and communities across the Greater Kansas City Chapter footprint.

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of AUSA is a volunteer led chapter founded in September 1999. The chapter footprint includes Wyandotte, Johnson, Miami, Linn, Bourbon, Crawford, and Cherokee counties in Kansas and Platte, Clay, Ray, Jackson, Lafayette, Cass, Johnson, Bates, Henry, Vernon, St. Clair, Barton, and Cedar in Missouri.

Membership: AUSA is open to everyone - including all ranks and components - whether you have a relationship with the U.S. Army or simply want to honor those who serve.

Membership Types: Premium (Life & Renewable), Basic (Free), Community Partners, National Partners (https://www.ausa.org/membership).

Chapter Officers

• Karen McAbee, Veteran, US Army - President
• CSM (Ret) Raquel DiDomenico - Executive Vice President
• CPT Aaron Eyerly - Secretary
• LTC (Ret) K. Brogan Farren - Treasurer
• BG (Ret) Bryan Wampler - Immediate Past President

Vice Presidents

• MSG Tony McWherter - Army Recruitment
• CSM (Ret) Robert Gessler - Army Reserve Programs
• CSM David O’Dea - Community Partners
• LTC (Ret) Jim Martin, Ph.D. - Department of the Army Civilians and Military Technicians Programs
• Karen Williams - Family Readiness
• COL (Ret) Tom Burke - Kansas Army National Guard Programs
• IS1 (USN Ret) Deborah Eglich, USN - Lake City Army Ammunition Plan
• LTC (Ret) Bob Bennett - Marketing & Communications
• LTC (Ret) John Nelson - Membership
• LTC (Ret) Grant Montgomery - ROTC & Awards
• MAJ (Ret) Dave Vodarick - Soldier for Life Programs
• 1LT Aaron Eyerly - Young Professionals
• COL (Ret) Paul Taylor - Government Affairs
• SFC Cory Bussart - Webmaster/Social Media/Information Technology
• CSM (Ret) Raquel DiDomenico - Women's Programs
• 1SG Travis McCorkendale - NCO & Soldiers Programs
• COL Todd A. Schmidt, Ph.D. - Member-at-Large
• 1SG (Ret) Mike McCorkendale - Member-at-Large

Open Positions (Contact president.kcausa@ausa.org if interested)

• Development/Philanthropy
• Family Readiness
• Programs

Board of Advisors

• BG (Ret) Bryan Wampler - Chairman
• Ms. Laure Christensen
• COL (Ret) David Cotter, Ph.D.
• COL (Ret) Robert M. Maggio
• CH (COL-Ret) Marion D. Pember
• Mr. Christopher F. Sirridge, M.D.
• BG (Ret) Christopher L. Spillman
• MG (Ret) Michael W. Symanski
• MAJ (Ret) Emma Toops
• COL (Ret) Robert R. Ulin
• COL (Ret) Scott Weaver
• Ms. Joy Wheeler
• LTC (Ret) Mark Wiggins
• Mr. Eugene “Gene” R. Wilson

Legal Advisor

• LTC (Ret) Tom Meier

Chamber of Commerce Liaisons 

• Kansas City Chamber: BG (Ret) Bryan Wampler
• Olathe Chamber of Commerce: MG (Ret) Michael W. Symanski

Past Chapter Presidents:

• COL (Ret) Robert Ulin: 1999 - 2002
• COL (Ret) Michael Neer: 2002 - 2008
• Mr. Rick Katz: 2008 - 2010
• Mrs. Diane Bogger: 2010 - 2012
• LTC (Ret) Mark H. Wiggins: 2012 - 2014
• MG (Ret) Michael Symanski: 2014 - 2016
• MAJ (Ret) Emma Toops: 2016 - 2020
• COL (Ret) Michael "Scott" Weaver: 2020 - 2022
• BG (Ret) Bryan Wampler: 2022 - 2025

“Colonel Roger H. C. Donlon Patriot Award”

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Association of the United States Army presents the “Colonel Roger H. C. Donlon Patriot Award” annually, which is the highest award the chapter presents. This award honors Colonel Donlon who was the first service member to receive the Medal of Honor in Vietnam and the first member of the United States Army Special Forces to be honored.

Recipients of the Colonel Roger H. C. Donlon Patriot Award:

1. Mr. Gary Sinise (2018)
2. Mr. Morrill Worcester (2019)
3. Senator Bob Dole (2020)
4. Mr. Art Fillmore (2021)
5. Mr. Donnie Edwards (2022)
6. Mrs. Holly Petraeus (2023)
7. Mr. John Holt (2024)
8. Mrs. Karen Worcester (2025)
9. Mr. Joe Mantegna (2025)

Send inquiries to: president.kcausa@ausa.org