Mayor David AustinPhone: (316) 239-7177
E-Mail: daustin@belaireks.gov
Address: 7651 E. Central Park Ave. Bel Aire, KS 67226
Year Elected to Office: 2013
Experience on Other Boards: Served as City of Bel Aire Council Member from 2009-2013; Co-chairman Bel Aire Economic Advisory Council; Wichita Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors member; Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Kansas Chapter - Board of Directors member, past president.
Education: B.A. in Communication Arts; Current Graduate Student
Current Employment: Director of Development for the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Wichita
Family: Wife Keturah & Daughter Jessica
About the Council Member: I am the biggest Philadelphia Phillies fan in the state. Additionally, my wife and I have lived in Bel Aire for more than nine years. Prior to accepting my current position with the Orpheum, I served for over 10 years as Manager of Public Relations and Events for Envision. My wife serves as Director of Communications for Andover Public Schools. After graduating high school in Red Hill, PA (north of Philly), I moved to Kansas in 1992 to attend Bethel College and have enjoyed living in the Sunflower State ever since. My wife and I met at Bethel and both graduated in 1995. We live with two rescued cats and one 15-year-old dog adopted from the animal shelter as a puppy.
Council Member Kenneth Lee
Phone: (316) 744-2047
Email: klee@belaireks.gov
Address: 7651 E. Central Park Ave. Bel Aire, KS 67226
Year Elected to Office: 2012 (appointed to finish out Dave Sly's term)
Experience on Other Boards: 3 years on Economic Advisory Committee (2009-12)
Education: B.S. in Civil Engineering
Current Employment: Associate & Project Manager, Ruggles & Bohm P.A.
Family: Wife Kerri, daughter Kayla, son Kaegan
About the Council Member: I have been a Bel Aire resident since 2002 and a Wichita-area resident since 1994. My experience as an engineer for both the Washington State DOT and private consulting firms has given me 20+ years of experience in land planning, property development and infrastructure improvements that I hope will allow me to add value to the City Council.
Council President Peggy Sue O'Donnell Phone: (316) 744-0250
Email: podonnell@belaireks.gov
Address: 7651 E. Central Park Ave. Bel Aire, KS 67226
Year Elected to Office: 2013
Experience on Other Boards: Ladies Missionary Fellowship; PTA; AWANA Board Member; precinct committee woman
Education: Associate in Business Administration, B.A. in Religious Education, M.R.E. in Religious Education
Current Employment: Teacher at Sunrise Christian Academy
Family: Husband, Dr. Michael O'Donnell, Daughter Stephanie, two Sons Michael and Tyler.
About the Council Member: I moved to Bel Aire in 1996 from Haysville. I have lived here since and this my second time on the City Council.
Council Member Ramona Becker, Ed.D.
Phone: (316) 744-3393
E-mail: rbecker@belaireks.gov
Address: 7651 E. Central Park Ave. Bel Aire, KS 67226
Year Elected to Office: 2013
Experience on Other Boards: City of Bel Aire Mayor's Ad-Hoc Committee on Communications - Chair, 2005 Bel Aire Heights Homeowners Association Board - President twice, various other positions, Bel Aire Economic Advisory Committee (2007-2013), Global Learning Center - Executive Board Member, five years, and College Hill Elementary and Robinson Jr High PTO Boards
Education: Ed.D. - Instructional Technology and Distance Education - Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, M.A. - Political Science - Wichita State University, B.A. - Spanish, Magna Cum Laude, Wichita State University, B.A. - Political Science, Magna Cum Laude, Wichita State University, and Public Administration
Current Employment: Retired Organizational/Staff Development Director for Butler Community College & semi-retired Online Instructor, former Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection - Kansas Corporation Commission - Topeka, KS
Family: Dr. Rob Gibson/partner of 22 years, two grown daughters, five grown step-children, and wonderful grandchildren
About the Council Member: We built our house in Bel Aire Heights in 1995 and love the community. I have a diverse background as I was a stay-at-home mom for 15 years, a professional Director at a Community College, a factory worker at Hallmark cards, and a summer student in Mexico among other phases of life. I am passionate about a number of things in life including my family, standard poodles, art, gardening, government and politics, technology, fitness, music, dancing, alternative energy, travel, and communication.
Council Member Betty MartinePhone: (316) 744-0946
Email: bmartine@belaireks.gov
Address: 7651 E. Central Park Ave. Bel Aire, KS 67226
Year Elected to Office: 2013
Experience on Other Boards: Planning & Zoning Secretary for 28 years
Education: Several classes at Wichita State University and Certified Municipal Clerk Certification (still current)
Current Employment: Retired from the City of Bel Aire in 2011
Family: two grown children raised in Bel Aire
About the Council Member: I have lived in Bel Aire for over 36 years. I retired from the City of Bel Aire after 28 years as Deputy City Clerk and Planning Secretary. I have volunteered on various city committees such as Chairman of Bel Aire Days for 20 years, worked on the History committee and other committees. I will work with the council members and mayor to keep the city going in the right direction selling the land, keep working on the water and sewer issues, work hard to maintain a solid future for Bel Aire, work to maintain city services without further cuts, and work to maintain an open and transparent city government that will listen and be open to your ideas.
Council Member Guy MacDonald Phone: (316) 744-2501
Email: gmacdonald@belaireks.gov
Address: 7651 E. Central Park Ave. Bel Aire, KS 67226
Year Elected to Office: 2013
Experience on Other Boards: President of Bel Aire Lions Club Board and President of Bel Aire Tree Board
Education: B.S. in French, St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Graduate work in philosophy, Fordham University, Bronx, New York
Current Employment: Retired
Family: Wife, Pat, daughter/son-in-law, grandson
About the Council Member: My wife and I lived in Nepal as Peace Corps Volunteer teachers, 1965-1968. Came to Kansas in 1972 as a manufacturer's representative and traveled the state. I chose to stay and live here in Bel Aire because of the friendliness of my neighbors and clients; quite a contrast to life in the big city. Have been both employee and employer in various enterprises/endeavors here in Kansas and elsewhere. I look upon my various business experiences as an asset. I will utilize them while working on Council.