Current PCED Information
Jeff Hofaker is the current director for Phillips County Economic Development. Jeff graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1990 with a BA in Computer Information Systems & Business Administration and Marketing. After graduating, he moved to Overland Park, Kansas and started working with Primerica Financial Services – Smith Barney in sales, management, employee and organizational training. In 1994, Jeff made a life choice to move back his home town of Logan in rural Kansas to pursue an entrepreneurial vision of running a business in the rural atmosphere of which he was raised while raising a family. He started a niche custom harvesting business, Hofaker Harvesting, which was successful over a period of 9 years. He is a partner in Triple J Farms, a 4th generation family, Phillips County ranch/farm. Currently, his primary interest and current time commitments are toward development activities in Phillips County and his family.
Paul Merklein, has been on the committee since its beginning in 2005 and is currently the PCED Chairman. He has been involved with cattle and farming all his life. After receiving a degree from Kansas State, he returned to the family farm near Stuttgart, which includes 160 acres that his great grandfather homesteaded. He has been involved with a variety of boards including: Coop, church, livestock associations and the Phillips County Farm Service Agency. Paul and his wife Kathy have three children.
Roger Losey, Vice Chairman is a lifelong resident of Phillips County, growing up on a farm near Agra. He graduated from Eastern Heights High School and Kansas State University. He is a farmer/rancher in the mutlti-generational farming operation he grew up in. He is a member of the Agra United Methodist Church, the Sons of the American Legion Post 357 and was the first Eagle Scout in the history of Troop 166 in Agra. Roger is married to Barbara and has 1 daughter, Ashley. Roger brings to the board a lifetime of volunteer experience from the numerous boards and organizations that he has been on or is currently involved in. Roger currently is vice chairman for the committee
Ron Boeve, Jr. is a first year committee member to PCED. His appointment started in Oct. 2008. While new to this committee, Ron is not new to Phillipsburg and Phillips Co. Ron is the current owner of the family business, Olliff and Boeve Funeral Home. Ron brings to the board a lifetime of volunteer experience from the numerous boards and organizations which he has been with. He currently also serves on the Phillipsburg Area Chamber of Commerce board. Ron is a member of the First Christian Church and has three children who attend school in the Phillipsburg district.
Jim Lanier is one of the newer members for our committee. Jim was appointed to the committee in June of 2009. He was born and raised in western Kansas. Currently, he is the professional behavior consultant for North Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative. Prior to this position he taught as a Behavior Disorder teacher at Phillipsburg High School. He has been involved in various aspects of business from wholesale to retail. Jim is married to Becky and has one son A.J.
Jeff Solida is the newest member of the Phillips County Economic Development board.