Board of Directors
Monte Green
President
Monte R. Green, B.S.-Agriculture, Ft Hays University; MBA, Juris Doctor, Washburn University. Community Service activities include Elder-Idana Presbyterian Church, Past President-Rotary Club, Past President-Chamber of Commerce, Member-Clay County Education Endowment Assoc., Economic Development Group, Zoning Board; Owner (with wife Emily) Flywheel Properties and Five Creeks Holdings/Patriot Estates. Monte's family includes wife, Emily, and three children.
Scott Leitzel
Vice-President
Scott leads the Twin Valley Family of Companies’ growing operations organization across Twin Valley Telephone, Inc., and Southern Kansas Telephone, Inc., serving north and south-central Kansas with broadband and telecommunications services. With 25 years in the industry, Scott has gained expertise across a diverse range of business functions including Online Marketing & Sales, Engineering, Network Operations, Human Resources/Employee Engagement, Operations, and Senior Executive Management, including P&L responsibilities. He received a B.S. in Physics with an emphasis in Math from Rockhurst University and a master’s degree in Telecom Business Management from Oklahoma State University. Scott and his wife Tresy and their three children, Alexa, Ethan, and Braden call Clay Center, Kansas home.
Brad Pyle
Board Member
Dr. Bradley Pyle was born and raised in Clay County. Upon graduation, he attended Emporia State University where he earned his B.S. in Health Promotion. He then furthered his education at Cleveland University graduating in 2010 with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. He and his wife, Jandee, moved back to Clay Center to start their family and current practice Pyle Chiropractic. They have 2 children, Lairyn and Doak. Dr. Pyle currently serves as the vice president of the Kansas Chiropractic Association as well as holding several chair positions within the organization. He is an active member of the Clay Center United Methodist Church. In his spare time, he enjoys biking, hunting, fishing, and gardening.
Brad Fowles
Board Member
Brad Fowles grew up in Clay County went to Fort Hays to get a degree in Industrial Arts Education and taught at Horton for 9 years. He and his wife Gloria moved back to Clay Center where he continued teaching at Sacred Heart and CCCHS before going full time in land, cattle and real estate sales. In 2011 Brad and Gloria opened Homestead Real Estate and continue running that business today. Brad is a member of Idana Presbyterian Church, board member of the Clay County Museum and on the Industrial Arts board at CCCHS. Brad and Gloria have 2 children.
Matt Thompson
Board Member
Matt was raised in Clay Center and graduated from CCCHS. After graduation he attended NCK Technical College in Beloit where he received his Journeyman License in Electrical Technology. He and his wife, Hilary, married in 2007. Together they have 7 children, (four of whom attended/graduated from CCCHS). They also have 3 grandchildren. In 2011 he received his Master Electrician license and shortly after started his business, Advanced Electric LLC, serving Clay County and its surrounding communities. They currently employ 5 electricians. Matt and Hilary also own JAGE Properties and are partners in N. Crawford Investments and 3P Performance Horses LLC. Matt’s love for Clay County and its growth led him to serve on the Chamber board and ultimately serving on the Grow Clay County board of directors. He also serves on the Economic Development committee, Properties Committee at CC Covenant Church and is a Rotary Club member. Matt enjoys camping, hunting and horses and being outdoors.
Brandon Lee
Board Member
Brandon Lee, President and CEO of Union State Bank, was born and raised on the family farm in western Clay County. After graduating from CCCHS and Kansas State University, he began a career in lending with Wells Fargo. He and his wife, Sally (Frigon) and 3 kids moved to Clay Center in 2009 where they purchased and operated Republican Valley Title. In 2011, Brandon began working for Union State Bank as a Vice President and Loan Officer before being promoted to Executive Vice President in 2016 and a Board Director for the bank. Brandon has also been involved in multiple other local groups and boards, including Common Ground, Youth Basketball Association, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Rural Water District and church. He is also currently serving as a Alumni Director for the state of Kansas for the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado.
Ashlee Wallace
Board Member
Ashlee Wallace is a Pharmacist at Patterson Healthmart Pharmacy and a co-owner of La.T.Da Boutique in downtown Clay Center. She was born in Clay Center, but grew up in Chanute, KS after her family relocated there. After high school she attended Kansas State University where she received a BS in Business Administration, then went on to earn her Doctorate of Pharmacy and MBA from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. She moved back to Clay Center after graduating Pharmacy School and meeting her husband, Kyler Wallace. Together they have two sons, Ace and Bo. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outside with her very active boys. Ashlee looks forward to serving on the board as well as the Downtown Committee, and helping the community of Clay Center thrive.
Melissa Combs
Board Member
Melissa Combs and her son, Gage, joined the Clay Center community in January 2022. Melissa grew up in a small town much like Clay Center called Fort Scott, KS. From there she began her journey moving around seeing what was out there. She landed in Manhattan, KS for 23 years before finding her new home here in Clay Center. While in Manhattan she was a part of the Riley County community. Melissa was the Client Services Coordinator for the Flint Hills Breadbasket, a non-profit food pantry, and a member of the Kiwanis along with other community organizations. Shortly after Melissa arrived in Clay Center, she became a Meadowlark Hospice Volunteer. Melissa and her son have embraced moving to this small, tight-knit, caring community. Melissa looks forward to serving on the Grow Clay County Board and to help keep Clay County an amazing place to live.
Jamie McDonald
Board Member
Jamie McDonald is the Office Manager for Clarity EyeCare. She has been with the growing practice since 1999. Jamie grew up on her family’s farm in Frankfort Kansas, where her parents still manage and reside. After graduating, she met her husband Justin who was a graduate of CCCHS and they made Clay Center there forever home. They have 2 children, Mason and Elana, who are both graduates of CCCHS. Mason is currently working and living in Texas. Elana and her husband Trustin have recently made the move back to Clay Center, where they plan to make it their forever home. This last year Jamie has enjoyed being on the Grow Clay County Outreach Committee and looks forward to serving on the Grow Clay County Board to help make this community she loves thrive.