Outstanding Kansas Citian AwardThe Native Sons created the "Outstanding Native Kansas Citian of the Year" award in 1973. Later, this was shortened to the "Outstanding Kansas Citian" award that endures still today. The 49th Annual Gala honoring the Outstanding Kansas Citian!Mr. Ed Eilert and General Richard B. Myers (Ret.) 2021 Outstanding Kansas Citian Gala Cocktails and Silent Auction 5:30 p.m. | Dinner 7 p.m. | Program 8 p.m. The Native Sons and Daughters Announce The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City is pleased to announce the selection of its Outstanding Kansas Citians for 2021. This year the honor will go to two out-standing and accomplished leaders from Johnson County: Ed Eilert, Chairman of the Johnson County, Kansas Board of County Commissioners and Kansas State University President, Retired General Richard Myers, former Chair of the United States Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff. > > |
Retired Air Force General Richard B. Myers Myers is a command pilot with more than 4100 flying hours in a T-33 Shooting Star, C-37, C-21, F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon, including 600 combat hours in the F-4, and served our Country during the Vietnam War and Iraq War. Myers graduated from Auburn University with a Master of Business Administration in 1977. Myers attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama; the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; and the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. General Richard Myers held many Commands including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Space Command, Pacific Air Forces and Fifth Air Force. Myers was the acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States of America. Myers has received 47 military awards and decorations. He retired from military service on September 30, 2005. On November 9, 2005, Myers was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush for distinguished service as Chair of the Military Joint Chiefs of Staff and many years of honorable military service to our nation.On April 14, 2016, Myers was selected as interim president of Kansas State University. On November 15, 2016, the KSU Board of Regents announced Myers as the university’s president. The university has named the Military Science Building Gen. Richard B. Myers Hall, in honor of his service and dedication.General Myers and his wife Mary Jo have two daughters and a son. | Ed Eilert Ed’s career started as a high school business teacher and evolved into being a distinguished professional financial advisor. Eilert serves, both locally and nation-ally, on the Board of Directors of numerous private and public sector associations and businesses. Eilert serves on many Kansas City area Commissions including the Mid-America Regional Council. His work on regional projects include campaigning for the first bi-state sales tax (KS-MO) that financed the reconstruction of Kansas City’s Union Station in the late 1990s. This leader has received many accolades and awards including being honored with the 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award, 2017 Overland Park Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement, Excellence in Local Government, and Distinguished Alumni Award from Emporia State University. Eilert is a member of the Overland Park South Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. In 2005, the U.S. House of Representatives through official resolution (H.R. 524) recognized Eilert for his years of public service to Overland Park, and dedicated the Blue Valley Post Office of Overland Park in his honor. Eilert and his wife Jan have three children. |
Past Outstanding Kansas Citians
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