NETWORK KANSAS
Network Kansas is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Debra Teufel and Doug Williams, who will begin their terms in April 2026, and Dan Lara, who joined the board in September 2025.
These appointments reflect Network Kansas’ continued commitment to strengthening its statewide leadership with individuals who bring deep experience in economic development, entrepreneurship support, and community engagement.
Debra Teufel is President and CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, where she has served since 2017. In her role, she also oversees Visit Hutch, contributing to the continued growth of tourism in the region. Teufel holds a Certification in Economic Development from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and brings extensive experience in community and economic development. She previously served as Director of Community- Economic Development for Cowley County, where she helped lead efforts to establish one of the first six eCommunities in partnership with Network Kansas. She later held a business development role with the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition and currently serves on the board of Startup Hutch, the host organization for the Reno County eCommunity.
Doug Williams currently serves as Executive Director of Grow Hays, the economic development organization for Ellis County, a role he has held since 2019. Under his leadership, Grow Hays has advanced a comprehensive approach to community development, including startup support, business recruitment, workforce training, and housing development. Williams also serves as the local eCommunity point person and leads the eCommunity Financial Review Board, helping guide one of the state’s high-performing eCommunities. The Ellis County eCommunity has facilitated more than 65 loans totaling over $2.7 million. Prior to his work in economic development, Williams was a real estate agent and entrepreneur, owning multiple software companies.
Dan Lara was named State Director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in February 2025, where he leads the statewide network through the SBDC’s Lead Center at Fort Hays State University. In this role, he works closely with higher education institutions and economic development partners to deliver technical assistance and training to Kansas small businesses. Lara brings more than a decade of experience in economic development, including his tenure with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), where he helped facilitate more than $70 million in funding for Kansas between 2020 and 2024. His background also includes serving as Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs for the Kansas Department of Commerce and holding senior roles with national healthcare nonprofits focused on advocacy and government relations. He began his career working in Washington, D.C., supporting two Members of Congress and two Congressional committees.
“We are thrilled that Deb, Doug and Dan have agreed to join the Network Kansas Board,” said Erik Pedersen, President and COO of Network Kansas. “Each of them is a respected executive, leading strong and successful organizations that continue to impact Kansas small businesses. I have no doubt we will gain from their broad oversight of the economic development climate in Kansas, as well as their community-level viewpoint of fostering entrepreneurship-led growth.”
Network Kansas’ Board of Directors plays a critical role in guiding the organization’s strategy and ensuring continued alignment with its mission to empower entrepreneurs through a statewide network of partners by providing access to capital, resources, and expertise.