ABOUT
MY VALUES
As a candidate for the Kansas House of Representatives and your future voice in Legislation, I understand there is more to consider than my policy positions.
Integrity
Family and Community
Communication and Transparency
MY STORY
Married to Avis Armfield Solie for 34 years, I hold family values in the utmost regard. I am a father of three: George, John, and Karen. As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had the pleasure of serving as Bishop of the Great Bend Ward, counseling, consoling, and assuring people that their Savior, Jesus Christ loves them without reservation.
I am a resident of and city council member for the small rural community of Lorraine, Kansas, where I advocate for liberty and freedom. I also serve as governing board member for Grow Ellsworth County.
I moved to Central Kansas from Edgerton, Kansas in 2012 to accept a position at Barton Community College. Officially I teach Communication, Journalism, and Political Science courses. In reality, I teach critical thinking skills to students that have grown up in a world that taught them only the "correct answers," not the ability to research, explore and debate the merits of the questions they face every day.
MY EDUCATION
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Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from DePaul University
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Master of Public Administration from Drake University
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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication from University of St.Thomas
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High School: Faith Christian High School
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Graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Institutes of Organizational Management
MY CAREER
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2012 to Present: Instructor (Professor), Barton County Community College, Great Bend, Kansas
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2009 to 2012: Founder of GarderEdge.com - local news website for Gardner and Edgerton, Kansas
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1988 to 2009: Non-Profit Management; Executive management of several Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development and Trade Associations
MY VOLUNTEER WORK
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Coordinator of Prison Ministry - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Central Kansas
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Board Member - Ellsworth County Economic Development
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Former Bishop of the Great Bend Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Former Board Member - Gardner Kansas Rotary Club
CIVICS
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City Council Member - City of Lorraine, since 2015
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Member of the Libertarian Party of Kansas, since 2016
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Delegate to the Minnesota Republican Convention, 1988
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Volunteer to several political campaigns, 1985 to present