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MEET OUR TEAM

Put your passion to work.

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President: John Kelley

John graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After working with the collegiate chapter of EWB in Lawrence, he decided to pursue involvement in the professional chapter of the group in Kansas City. John currently works in the Oil, Gas & Chemical group at Burns & McDonnell. In his free time, John enjoys golfing, snowboarding, and traveling.

​To reach John, email him at: president.ewbkc@gmail.com

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Director of Communications: Theresa Collins

Theresa graduated with a B.S. in Civil-Environmental Engineering and a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from Kansas State University. She currently works at the Army Corps of Engineers where she focuses on the environmental remediation of Superfund and FUDS sites. She is passionate about making the world healthier, more sustainable and equitable. In her free time Theresa enjoys hiking, reading, and attending public forums. 

To reach Theresa, email her at: marketing.ewbkc@gmail.com

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Director of Finance: Tyler Robinson, PE

Tyler graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He currently works at Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company where he performs water and wastewater engineering services for municipality and utility infrastructures. He strives to promote sustainability and improve the environment at each opportunity he encounters. In his free time, Tyler enjoys ultimate frisbee, woodworking, hiking, and traveling.

 

To reach Tyler, email him at: financedirector.ewbkc@gmail.com

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Director of Projects: Adam Byrnes, PE

Adam has been involved with EWB since 2009, beginning with the Mizzou Student Chapter. He was part of a strong team there that successfully completed a waste water treatment plant rehabilitation in Honduras. Since college Adam has been a member of the KC Professional Chapter working on multiple international and domestic projects, mentoring other student chapters, and serving as President. He is currently a Mechanical Engineer at Burns and McDonnell.

​To reach Adam, email him at: projectsdirector.ewbkc@gmail.com

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Co-International Project Manager: Jake Sanders

Jake has been involved with EWB since 2014. He was heavily involved in the University of Missouri student chapter where he held positions of Project Manager and President. Jake traveled with the chapter to Panama on three separate trips and saw their drinking water supply project from assessment through implementation. He currently works as a Mechanical Engineer at Black & Veatch. In his free time, Jake enjoys traveling, snowboarding and listening to reggaeton.

To reach Jake, email him at: projectsdirector.ewbkc@gmail.com

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Co-International Project Manager: Audrey Freiberger, PE

Audrey graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri. After graduating, she practiced structural engineering and is now a project engineer at Zahner in Kansas City, Mo. Audrey has been an active member of EWB since 2010 and has worked on international projects in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. In her free time, Audrey enjoys gardening and backpacking.

To reach Audrey, email her at: engineers.without.borders.kc@gmail.com

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Yucuruchi Co-Project Manager: Nick Eschbacher

Nick graduated with a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Missouri.  He currently works in the Transmission & Distribution Group at Burns & McDonnell where he focuses on Overhead Transmission Line design.  Nick is passionate about giving back to the community and combining that with the engineering profession.  In his free time, Nick enjoys playing sports, traveling, and cheering on the Tigers!

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Yucuruchi Co-Project Manager: Jace McGuire

Jace has a B. S. and M.S. in civil engineering with a concentration in structural engineering. He works in Energy for Burns and McDonnell. He loves the outdoors especially backpacking, kayaking, fishing, and hiking. His favorite professional sports teams are the St. Louis  Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and Indianapolis Colts.

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Local Project Manager: Kristen Jones

Kristen began her involvement in 2016 at the Kansas State University Chapter. She served as the International Project Lead and Outreach Chair for the chapter. After graduating from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Kristen began working at Black & Veatch as a Civil Engineer in the Water Division. Kristen is still trying to find a work-life-EWB-balance so she can finally pursue grownup hobbies!!

To reach Kristen, email her at: kristenjo21@gmail.com

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Director of Operations: Stephen Austin

Stephen was heavily involved with Engineers Without Borders during his undergraduate years with his university student chapter. He was happy to join the professional Kansas City chapter of EWB and have the opportunity to have served as the University Chapter Liaison and now as Director of Operations. His undergraduate studies were in civil engineering and he works at Black & Veatch.

To reach Stephen, email him at: operations.ewbkc@gmail.com

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Student Liaison Officer: Jacob Ambrose, PE

Jacob graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. He has been involved with EWB since 2011, where he was a founding member and held the position of President. He is currently a Water Resources Engineer at HNTB. In his free time, Jacob enjoys rock climbing, traveling, and skiing.

To reach Jacob, email him at: studentliaison.ewbkc@gmail.com

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Maddy Leakey: Local Events Coordinator

Maddy graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Saint Louis University. She currently works at HNTB in the Water Resources Group. In her free time, Maddy enjoys baking, Ultimate Frisbee, and board games.

To reach Maddy, email her at: localevents.ewbkc@gmail.com

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Web Content Manager: Jillian Gallagher

Jillian graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Saint Louis University. She currently works at Black & Veatch. Jillian traveled with the Kansas City Professional Chapter to Guatemala for the water distribution project. In her free time, Jillian enjoys soccer, Irish Dance, and traveling.

To reach Jillian, email her at: webdirector.ewbkc@gmail.com

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