Chuck Banks is the Principal and Founder of Chuck Banks Associates, a national consulting firm advising clients on unique economic and community development opportunities. Drawing upon his extensive private and public sector professional experience, Banks is a recognized leader known for developing innovative, cross-sector partnerships to successfully navigate numerous nationally-recognized events, including the widely recognized sustainable recovery of tornado-stricken Greensburg, Kansas.
A fifth generation Kansan, Banks was reared on a farm in Pottawatomie County and graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics specializing in banking and finance. Banks then began a thirteen-year corporate banking career focused in business development and investment management.
In February 1995, Banks accepted a position with then-Congressman Pat Roberts as his Congressional Director in Kansas. Following the 1996 election, U.S. Senator Roberts appointed Banks as his Assistant State Director, with responsibilities for economic development policy issues.
In November of 2001, Banks was appointed the 13th Kansas Director of USDA Rural Development. Utilizing innovative private sector and community development program delivery models, the Agency significantly increased its level of funding and technical assistance during his seven year tenure as USDA State Director.
Under Banks’ leadership, USDA Rural Development was recognized nationally for its successful support of several economic and community development challenges in Kansas, including assisting with the 2005 Base Realignment Commission decision to significantly expand personnel at Fort Riley and numerous disaster recovery efforts, including post-disaster recovery results following the May 2007 Greensburg EF-5 tornado.
At the invitation of the Obama Administration, Banks remained with USDA in the capacity of Confidential Assistant to the Undersecretary of Rural Development during the first half of 2009 to help enhance agency program delivery capabilities.
Banks speaks frequently across the United States about important community and economic development issues, covering topics ranging from renewable energy opportunities to comprehensive sustainable disaster recovery strategies.
In addition to his extensive professional experience, Banks is very active in numerous national non-profit organizations including the Safe America Foundation and has received several national awards including the 2009 Greensburg Green Initiative Award. Banks is also the proud father of two daughters, Ashley and Laura.
Banks can be contacted at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or at 785-249-9373.
Edward Tanzman is Co-Director of the Center for Integrated Emergency Preparedness at Argonne National Laboratory, located near Chicago. The Center’s 28 planners, lawyers, risk communications specialists, and social scientists develop new preparedness methods and tools for federal, state, and local agencies. Mr. Tanzman also is a Lecturer in the University of Chicago’s Master of Science Program in Threat and Response Management. His publications include a book, several software applications, and many articles and papers. Mr. Tanzman holds degrees from the University of Chicago and Georgetown University Law Center. He is member of the Illinois and District of Columbia bars.
Scott Steelman has held a variety of leadership positions in the insurance industry over the last 38 years. In his current position as Director of Emergency Management Planning for CNA Financial Corporation, Steelman is responsible for the enterprise Emergency Management Program designed to assure that CNA’s employees, property and business processes are protected and able to respond during emergency situations.
Steelman has an Economics Degree from
