Board of Directors
The bylaws governing the Parsons Area Community Foundation ensure an ongoing, diversified Board of Directors of highest integrity through a careful selection process reflecting the population of the area. Each member brings his or her unique expertise and perspective to the operations of the Foundation. Regular board meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Jennifer Eichinger, President
Jennifer started her life as an Army brat with her dad being stationed in KS, MO, and Ethiopia. After his retirement, they moved to Benedict, KS and she attended school in Fredonia. She received her BA in business administration and accounting from Wichita State, and is currently a CPA, in business for herself. She and her husband, Darren, have two sons. Civically she is active in Parsons Babe Ruth as their treasurer, a Kiwanis member and past president, and a member and past trustee of Wesley United Methodist Church. She enjoys browsing Pinterest, reading, and riding motorcycles. She joined the PACF board to give back to the community where she lives and works, and believes grants made to local organizations help make this a nice town with wonderful facilities and activities for all ages.
Anne Allen, Vice-President
Anne Allen joins the Parsons Area Community Foundation board after being its Executive Director for 13 years. Anne has a psychology degree from KU and a master's degree in reading and language arts from Cal State. Anne worked in the elementary education field for 20 years prior to stepping into her Executive Director role at PACF. Parsons is home to her and her husband, Doug, when not travelling to visit one of their four sons.
Sandy Babcock, Secretary
Sandy was born and raised in rural Parsons. She is a graduate of Labette County High School and Labette Community College. She and her husband, Richard, own The Home Store and Babcock Mfg. in Parsons, and Vision Woodworks in Cherryvale. They have two grown children, Mike Babcock and Melissa Brinkman, and two grandchildren. Sandy is on the SEK Point of Pride board and the PSU Interior Design Council. Being active in the community has always been important to her, and as a business owner, also a responsibility and privilege.
Ned Wall, Treasurer
Ned was born and raised in Parsons and attended both LCC and Pittsburg State, receiving a degree in business administration. He has two children, Owen and Scout, and is a director for Carson-Wall funeral services. Civically, Ned is an active member of Parsons Rotary Club and serves on the board of trustees for Labette Health. He joined the PACF board because he enjoys serving and giving back to the community.
Dennis Banning
Dennis is a lifelong resident of SE Kansas, having been born and raised a short distance away in Neodesha. After receiving his bachelor degree from Emporia State University in 1987, he worked in Tulsa, OK, before moving back to Parsons in 1995. He is the General Manager at Tank Connection, LLC, where he has worked for the last 17 years. He and his wife, Sharon, have two children and eight grandchildren. They enjoy the outdoors and spending time at Grand Lake with family and friends.
Kendra Barcus
Kendra grew up just east of Parsons. She graduated from Parsons High School, attended Labette Community College, and continued her education and graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Teaching with an emphasis on Reading and English as a Second Language. Kendra has worked in the Parsons school district for 24 years and is currently the Instructional Coach at Parsons Middle School. She and her husband, Rob, live in Parsons and have four children. Kendra joined the PACF board because she believes the Foundation is a vital part of the success of our community and she is thankful for the opportunity to give back to a community that she loves.
J.J. Bebb
J.J lives in rural Mound Valley and is married to Carla Bebb. Carla works at Labette Bank as an AG Loan Officer. They have been married for 25 years and have a daughter Rachel and a son Kendal. Rachel lives in Abilene, Texas and Kendal is a senior at LCHS and is joining the Navy after graduation. J.J. is an agent with Corner Post Crop Insurance. He has been involved with the Labette County Fair for 15 years and is also active in his church in Liberty, Kansas. Giving back to the community is something that is important to him and his family long term.
Nancy Bolt
Nancy was born and raised in Parsons. She is a graduate of Parsons High School and Labette Community College. Currently, she is the Vice-President of Commercial Bank in Parsons. She has two grown children, Jennifer and Jamie and three grandchildren, Taylor, Jaxon, Drew and Hadley. Nancy is the financial secretary of First Baptist Church and a member of Living Faith, Girard, KS. In her free time, Nancy enjoys spending time with family and friends. Nancy said, “It is an honor to serve on the PACF board. I will enjoy giving back to a community that has played such an important role to both me and my family.”
Frances Graves
Frances and her husband Kris live in Bartlett with their three daughters, Hadley, Eliza, and Arlo. Frances is a graduate of the University of Kansas where she earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Art History and a graduate degree in Journalism. She is also a graduate of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Program and the Farm Bureau Master’s Program. Currently, Frances is the District Director and Community Vitality Agent for the K-State Wildcat Extension District. Frances is excited to participate on the PACF board because she has always believed in the importance of creating opportunities for people to feel connected, increasing services for people in need and supporting programs that help these causes.
Carolyn Kennett
Carolyn grew up in Oklahoma and Colorado and received a BA in art from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. She and her husband, Gary, have two grown children and four grandchildren. Carolyn recently retired as the economic development director for the city of Parsons. She is currently involved with the Parsons Community Development Corp, Southeast Kansas Point of Pride, and PALS. Her hobbies include pottery, gardening, and grandparenting. Carolyn agreed to serve on the PACF Board because she believes in the PACF mission and the powerful impact to our community through grants.
Bill Lassen
Bill grew up in Parsons and graduated from Parsons High School. He went on to attend Labette Community College and Pittsburg State University. Bill is currently in technical sales at CST Industries. Bill and his wife, Becky, have two children. With a heart of the community, Bill has been involved in multiple organizations through the years including Kiwanis, Parsons Chamber of Commerce, LCC Foundation, and the Youth Crisis Shelter. In his free time, Bill enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing, and raising show goats, dairy goats and rabbits. When asked why he wanted to be involved on the PACF Board, Bill said he has seen the impact PACF has in the community and he wanted to have a role in that.
Erin Martinez
Born and raised in Parsons, Erin is married to Ramon Martinez and they have two children. After graduating from PHS, Erin earned her associate degree in nursing from LCC, and both a bachelors and a masters degree in nursing from Pittsburg State University. Erin is currently a Nurse Practitioner at CHC-SEK. She enjoys reading, listening to music, movies, and is active in her children’s activities. She is also involved with Stella Wells Christmas Baskets. Erin joined the PACF board because of the positive impact it has on the community, and to bring awareness to others about the community foundation.
