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.
Ashley Beswick
Secretary
Ashley Beswick, Edward Jones Financial Advisor, was born and raised in Clay Center. After graduating from CCCHS she attended Cloud County Community College and Salina Area Technical College. Ashley recently renovated a portion of a vacant building in downtown Clay Center to move her Edward Jones branch into. She married Jason Beswick and resides on his family's original homestead as a fifth-generation cattle rancher along with their two children, Carter and Jovey. Ashley enjoys volunteering and serving in her community as a twirling coach for Slagle Dance and Baton Studio, a Rotarian, member of BPW, and Secretary for the Community Outreach Committee (formerly Chamber of Commerce). When Ashley isn't in her office, she can be found enjoying watching her son and daughter in their many activities. Ashley looks forward to serving on the Grow Clay County Board and helping Clay County to continue to grow and offer an outstanding quality of life.
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
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, Manager in training for C & R Credit Union, 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.