Retiring & Hiring
Jim Leiker, president and CEO of the Capper Foundation, has announced his plans to retire effective Jan. 16, 2022.The foundation’s board of trustees, senior management, staff, persons served, volunteers, donors and community partners were recently notified of the decision. As the long-time face and voice of Capper Foundation, Leiker led the organization’s growth in providing creative, individualized and life-changing services to more infants, children, teens and adults. He has also overseen several capital campaigns, renovations and additions; two mergers to expand services and locations; and increased community engagement and support. The last merger occurred in 2014, expanding day and residential services in Butler and Cowley Counties in south-central Kansas. An executive search committee will be formed soon to select Capper Foundation’s next leader. Leiker is expected to work with the committee over the next six months to ensure a smooth transition to a new president and CEO.
Appointments & Promotions
The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees unanimously elected James P. Zakoura to serve as chairperson for Fiscal Year 2022. He has been on the KPERS Board since 2018 with his appointment by Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. In January 2021, Governor Laura Kelly reappointed Zakoura to the KPERS Board for a second four-year term. Zakoura hails from Osawatomie, and now resides in Overland Park. He is a partner in the law firm of Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered. He has practiced law for more than 48 years, specializing in energy and public utility litigation. Zakoura regularly appears before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Missouri Public Service Commission on energy and public utility regulatory matters. He earned a Bachelor of Science in English education and a Juris Doctor, both from the University of Kansas. Zakoura is licensed to practice law in Kansas; the United States District Court for the District of Kansas; the United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Kansas Bar Association and the Johnson County Bar Association. In 2009, he established and remains president of two nonprofit foundations: Reach Out Kansas Inc. and the Zakoura Family Foundation — a fund of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Both programs are designed to provide Kansas youth, particularly those in rural, underserved and minority communities, with the opportunity to experience the fine arts.
The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees Chairperson James P. Zakoura, of Overland Park, has appointed Trustee Ron Johnson, of Seneca, to serve as vice chairperson for Fiscal Year 2022. He has been on the KPERS Board since 2019, following his appointment by Kanas Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman. Johnson retired as president and chief executive officer of the Community National Bank in Seneca after 18 years of service. He is a past chairman of the Kansas Bankers Association and the Bankers Bank of Kansas. Johnson has been chairperson of the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital and is a trustee of the Seneca Housing Authority. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from North Dakota State University and has completed post-graduate work at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado.