WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) today announced the members of his 2012 Kansas Service Academy Selection Board. The 20-member board will review applications and interview candidates who are applying for admission to U.S. Service Academies. These include the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2013.

"Our country is fortunate to have so many talented young men and women interested in serving our country through the Armed Forces," Sen. Moran said. "The Selection Board will have a tough time narrowing the field of qualified candidates, but I value their insight and thank them for their service."

Each year, Sen. Moran accepts applications for nominations to the United States Service Academies. The application deadline recently passed on October 1, 2012, and Sen. Moran received 90 applications for 4 principal nominations. Applicants will be required to interview with Sen. Moran’s Service Academy Selection Board on Saturday, November 17, 2012. Following interviews, the Board will make recommendations to Sen. Moran for his decision. If nominated by Sen. Moran, applicants must then meet the individual admission requirements of each academy. The academies will make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission in early 2013.

Members of the 2012 Kansas Service Academy Selection Board include:

• Daralyn Arata, Esquire of Manhattan; Pre-law advisor, Kansas State University.
• Karen Clark of Leavenworth; Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Vice President at The Federal Savings Bank.
• Frank Clepper of Wichita; Graduate of U.S. Military Academy.
• Betty Click of Topeka; Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Payless Shoe Source.
• Bill Clifford, M.D. of Garden City; Graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Ophthalmologist at Fry Eye Associates.
• Robin Jackson, Ph.D. of Hutchinson; Professor of Science and Mathematics, Central Christian College, McPherson.
• Wendell Maddox of Kansas City; President and CEO of United Way of Wyandotte County, served in U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
• Jill McCarthy of Overland Park; Vice President of Business Development, Kansas City Area Development Council, mother of U.S. Military Academy graduate.
• Chris Meyer, M.D. of Wichita; CEO, Galichia Medical Group, Served in the U.S. Air Force and currently serves in the Air National Guard as a flight surgeon with the 184th Intelligence Wing.
• Corinne Nilsen of Wichita; Executive Director, Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP, Wichita State University.
• Jacque Oakes of Independence; Community volunteer, Member of Independence Community College Foundation Board of Trustees.
• John O’Leary of Wichita; Vice President of Engineering, Airbus, Graduate of U.S. Naval Academy.
• Ron Lucas of Goodland; Vietnam Veteran, Served in the Army.
• Paula Ripple of Dodge City; Retired Dodge City High School English instructor, mother of U.S. Air Force Academy graduate.
• Samuel Turner of Leawood; Retired CEO, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Vietnam Veteran, Served in the Army.
• Cecil Webb of Olathe; Technology Project Manager for HNTB, Graduate of U.S. Military Academy.
• Ernest Garcia of Overland Park; Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, former Chief of Staff at the U.S. Selective Service System.
• Steve Harmon of Emporia; Director of the Business & Industry Training Center, Flint Hills Technical College, Kansas National Guard Member.
• Mike Junk of Salina; President of Crestwood Inc., Graduate of U.S. Air Force Academy.
• Ron Whitney of Emporia; Member of Emporia American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, served in U.S. Army.

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