Staff

Tim McKee’s career at the Olathe Chamber of Commerce began in Spring 1998. In cooperation with the City of Olathe, he quickly developed and implemented an ambitious economic development program that has resulted in Olathe being one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States for most of the last decade. Now serving as the Chamber’s CEO, he works with the Board of Directors to set the Chamber’s program of work, which involves advancing the economic well-being and quality of life in Olathe through the following Chamber departments: Economic Development, Convention & Visitors, Membership Services, Business-to-Government Advocacy, and Leadership.

Prior to joining the Olathe Chamber of Commerce, Tim spent four years at the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, honing his economic development skills. Tim’s involved in many service organizations, serving on the board of directors for the County Economic Research Institute, the Institute for Organizational Management, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and chairing the Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone Board. In 2006 he was chairman of the board for the Johnson County United Way. Tim received a bachelor’s degree in business from Southwest Missouri State University. He enjoys running, golfing, and outdoor activities of hunting and fishing.

tmckee@olathe.org

Mary comes to the Chamber after spending 12 years with the Olathe Public Schools. During her time with the district, she served as a library clerk and, most recently, as an administrative assistant in the Student Services department.

A native of Louisiana, Mary enjoys baking, cooking her native Bayou dishes and crafting. In her spare time, she likes dinner with friends, and spending time with her husband, two daughters and their dog.

mbarrios@olathe.org

Jim joined the Olathe Chamber of Commerce in April 2016. He graduated from Westminster College with a degree in English and brings two decades of communications experience with him as the director of communications. A lifelong Olathe resident, he comes to the Chamber from the Olathe School District where he was the manager of communications. He spent eight years as the sports editor of The Olathe News before becoming the managing editor of event media at Ascend Integrated Media — a leading business-to-business publishing company in Overland Park — before his time at the Olathe School District. Jim enjoys running and spending time with family and friends. He and his wife, Aisha, have a son, Gunner, and twin daughters, Elise and Kyra.

jbradford@olathe.org

Bright has been lobbying on behalf of Kansas business associations for more than 14 years, specializing in business issues, specifically in the areas of taxation, human resource, insurance, judicial reform, and transportation. She received her law degree from Washburn School of Law in 1998 and began lobbying for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the 1998 Legislative Session.

natalie@brightcarpenter.com

Jhirya Brock joined the Olathe Chamber of Commerce in the summer of 2022. She is a 2022 graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in digital communication with an emphasis in marketing. Brock was also a member of the MNU track team. Born and raised in Olathe, she is a proud Olathe North High School graduate.
In her free time, she likes hanging out with family and friends, and also enjoys cooking, baking and just relaxing. Prior to coming to the Olathe Chamber, she spent six years at Main Event Entertainment including the last six months as a marketing coordinator intern in the sales office.

jbrock@olathe.org

Susie took over as Vice President, Membership Investments in 2018. She comes to Olathe with 15 years of experience with membership organizations. She spent the last five years as the CEO of the El Dorado (Kan.) Chamber of Commerce where she handled all of the day-to-day operations, managed events, membership and communications. Prior to joining the El Dorado Chamber as the CEO, she spent 10 years with the Greater Wichita YMCA. She received her Institute of Organizational Management (IOM) designation and holds numerous certifications through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). A Kansas native, Carson is a graduate of Wichita State University. Her and her husband have three daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, spending time with family and enjoying the outdoors.

scarson@olathe.org

Brad Cornell began working as business retention and expansion director for the Economic Development Department in June 2008. Now, as COO, he works with Tim McKee, the Chamber’s CEO, to oversee the programs and activities of the Chamber’s Membership Services, Business-to-Government Advocacy, and Leadership departments.

Before coming to the Chamber, Brad was general manager of the Great Mall of the Great Plains for seven years and ran a variety of other regional malls and retail centers for Glimcher Properties during most of his career. He brings to the Chamber invaluable retail experience and expertise as well as leadership skills. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University in Minnesota.

bcornell@olathe.org

The Olathe Chamber of Commerce welcomed Sam Danneberg to its staff recently. The 2023 graduate of the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas joined the Chamber staff late this summer as the Manager of Workforce Development, Retention and Expansion.

Danneberg will with workforce initiatives, as well as assist with retention and expansion efforts at the Chamber. Prior to his time at the Chamber, he was an intern with a marketing research firm while earning his degree in marketing and management.

In his spare time, he enjoys boxing, drawing, camping and building things.

sdanneberg@olathe.org

Before coming to Olathe, she worked for the Kansas City (Kan.) CVB and, prior to that, she worked for the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center.

Granados was part of a team at the Topeka Zoo that won a tourism award in 2022 for their groundbreaking work with on Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit at the zoo. Additionally, her work helped the KCK CVB win three more tourism awards. All the accolades remain a source of pride and motivation for Granados.

She graduated from the University of Kansas with a strategic communications degree from the KU School of Journalism. She is currently working toward her Master’s in sports management at KU.

agranados@olathe.org

Melissa Hess joined the Olathe Chamber of Commerce as the Manager of Leadership Programs in February of 2020. She’s an experienced program manager with a robust background in organizing and facilitating leadership programs and fundraising events. IN her current role, she organizes each session, facilitates the organization of the class project, and manages alumni networking events. Previously, Melissa managed annual campaigns and special events at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, where she successfully executed a variety of fundraising activities and managed donor relations.
Melissa and her husband Chris have lived in Olathe for 20 years and have two children, Stella and Charlie. In her free time, Melissa enjoys exploring new restaurants, parks and businesses around the city with her family and friends.

mhess@olathe.org

Dan Hutchins joined the Olathe Chamber of Commerce in 2014. As the webmaster and graphic design manager, Dan manages all aspects of the Chamber’s website, including design, layout and functionality and works with all departments to create marketing, informational and promotional materials to advance programs and projects.

Prior to joining the Olathe Chamber, Dan was an art director and project manager at Immersion Media, where he focused on 3D animation, multimedia development and art direction. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2001 and graduated with honors.

Dan enjoys RVing with his wife and son, photography, drumming and playing and collecting vintage video games.

dhutchins@olathe.org

Shannon Latham joined the staff full-time in January of 2001, after serving as an intern for eight months. While in high school and college, she worked at the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce for six years. As assistant director for the Economic Development department, Shannon works with new business prospects, maintains updated demographic information and coordinates the meetings and events for the department.

Additionally, Shannon handles the tax abatement applications and analysis required for the City Council. Shannon earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas. In her spare time she enjoys outdoor activities, traveling and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

slatham@olathe.org

Suzann Mack joined the Olathe Chamber of Commerce as the Membership Relations Manager in July of 2024. She’s a very active networking and sales professional with several years of experience in various disciplines. Suzann is very energetic and outgoing and looks forward to connecting and building strong, professional relationships.
Suzann is a mother of two wonderfully diverse sons and loved running, cycling, golf, pickleball and being active. She also loves the Chiefs, Royals and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. (As a native Nebraskan and UNL grad, it’s required to be a Cornhusker fan).

smack@olathe.org

Ava Miller joined the Olathe Chamber of Commerce as an intern in August of 2023. She took over as the Destinations Services Manager in August of 2024. She’s a 2024 graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Ava has lived in Olathe almost her whole life. She’s a graduate of Olathe East High School.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on trips, and enjoying the outdoors!

amiller@olathe.org

Sara Misemer began her job as manager, events and activities, in June, 2007. Prior to this position, she served as business retention and expansion manager for the Economic Development Department, beginning June, 2002. Sara’s responsibilities include planning the Chamber’s annual meeting, State of the City luncheon, Chamber Golf Classic, Blazing New Trails, Business Lunch Series, as well as various other events throughout the year. She is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Olathe. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from the University of Kansas. Sara enjoys traveling, KU basketball, photography, summers at the lake and spending time with her family and friends.

smisemer@olathe.org

Doug Norwood graduated from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and brings more than two decades of IT experience with him. He spent 10 years in the Air Force and Army, leaving as a communications officer. Most recently, he spent a decade as the manager of IT at Custom Storefronts in Olathe.

dnorwood@olathe.org

Kelly Peetoom has more than 22 years of hospitality and hotel sales experience. Prior to joining Olathe in October 2015, he worked for 10 years for the Overland Park CVB. He served in such positions as Director of the Overland Park Sports Alliance and Vice President of Sales. Also while at the Overland Park CVB, he assisted in the sale of events for the Overland Park Soccer Complex, including landing the first National Championship to be hosted at the complex. He directed the sales team to t.wo record setting years of sales production. He is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri.

kpeetoom@olathe.org

Before coming to the Olathe Chamber of Commerce in 2014, Sharon Puddington, CPA, was the director of finance/human resources at the American Jazz Museum where she was responsible for all accounting functions and coordinated the audit and tax engagements. Prior to her tenure at the American Jazz Museum, Sharon held controller positions in Dallas Texas at the Dallas Stars Hockey Club and Dpi Teleconnect.

In her role today, Sharon handles the day-to-day responsibilities related to reviewing all financial statements and internal and external reporting, working to ensure all financial information is presented accurately and in accordance with GAAP.

Sharon earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and has an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

In her spare time, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

spuddington@olathe.org