Greater Kansas City Chapter

(KC AUSA) (Chapter #5503)

KC AUSA VISION:

KC AUSA connects our community with the United States Army.

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

• BG (Ret) Bryan Wampler - President
• LTC (Ret) Jim Martin, Ph.D. - Executive Vice President
• COL Todd A. Schmidt, Ph.D. - Secretary
• LTC (Ret) K. Brogan Farren - Treasurer
• COL (Ret) Scott Weaver - Immediate Past President

Vice Presidents

• MSG Tony McWherter - Army Recruitment
• CSM (Ret) Robert Gessler - Army Reserve Programs
• CSM David O’Dea - Community Partners
• 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
• 1SG (Ret) Mike McCorkendale - NCO & Soldiers Programs
• Karen McAbee - Programs
• 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 Raquel DiDomenico - Women's Programs
• 1SG Travis McCorkendale - Member-at-Large
• Vacant - Missouri Army National Guard Programs
• Vacant - Development/Philanthropy
• Vacant - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access
• Vacant - Family Readiness
• Vacant - Department of the Army Civilians and Military Technicians

Board of Advisors

• COL (Ret) Scott Weaver - Chairman
• COL (Ret) Jackie “Jack” D. Kem, 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
• Ms. Joy Wheeler
• 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

“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 Worchester (2019)
3. Senator Bob Dole (2020)
4. Mr. Art Fillmore (2021)
5. Mr. Donnie Edwards (2022)
6. Mrs. Holly Petraeus (2023)

Send inquiries to: c5503@AUSA.ORG.