2025 Chamber Award Winners
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 2025 award winners at the chamber’s 104th annual awards banquet on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center. Each year, the Annual Awards celebrate the individuals, businesses, and emerging leaders who make our community stronger. Meet this year’s honorees:
View the entire photo album from the banquet here.
2025 NextGen Leader of the Year: Cody Harris
For Harris, having fun is serious business
His leadership earns him the 2025 NextGen Leader of the Year award
By Dale Hogg, Hogg Strategies & Stories
GREAT BEND, Kan. — For many in Great Bend, the face of Sunflower Diversified Services is a man who rarely "turns it off," even when he is off the clock. Whether he is balancing a broom on his face to make people laugh or carrying a pocketful of raffle tickets to a community gathering, Cody Harris has become synonymous with the organization he serves.
Harris, known for his "can-do" attitude and his inability to stay quiet in a library, was named the 2025 NextGen Leader of the Year by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. He joined Business of the Year Stueder Contractors Inc., Citizen of the Year Nancy Sundahl and Legacy Award recipient Mark Calcara as an honoree during the chamber’s 104th annual awards banquet Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center.
"He has a personality to him," his wife, Maggie, said. "He likes to be, you know, kind of in the spotlight in a serious capacity. He likes to have a good time while he's doing the work that matters, and make sure other people have a good time too."
Sonya Rein, who nominated Harris for the award, said he "puts the 'fun' into fundraising" and is a leader always willing to try new things.
Harris serves as the director of planned giving and community support at Sunflower Diversified Services, where his primary focus is fundraising and public relations, as well as community employment for the clients. It is a role, he says brings him immense excitement, particularly "seeing their faces when they get hired."
Beyond his professional work, Harris is a fixture in the Great Bend community. He is serving his third term as a chamber ambassador, is president of the Noon Lions Club, spends his free time coaching youth sports for the Great Bend Recreation Commission and is currently serving on the board for the Great Bend Zoological Society.
The NextGen Leader of the Year Award recognizes young professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision and a generous community spirit. Harris, a self-described "man of many obscure talents" including juggling, exemplifies the high standard of social responsibility the award seeks to honor.
Harris’ journey to leadership began in Deerfield, a small town 20 miles west of Garden City, where he was born and raised. While studying at Fort Hays State University, Harris took a job as a primary caretaker for a man with an intellectual disability. The two became close friends, navigating the quiet rhythms of daily life together, from grocery shopping to doctor's appointments.
That experience, coupled with having a sister who also has an intellectual disability, solidified his calling. In 2013, Harris moved to Great Bend and married Maggie. He started at Sunflower as a direct-care provider, working his way through job guidance into his current role as a lead fundraiser.
He has since modernized the organization’s outreach, introducing the annual Turkey Trot and a biennial car raffle alongside staple events like the pancake feed and the annual gala. A significant part of his mission involves advocating for adult clients, a group that often sees less donor interest than children’s programs. Maggie said her husband is driven by a desire to provide these individuals with a life as close to "normal" as possible.
"He’s a very outgoing person and a leader by nature, I think, but he’s really jumped into that in the last several years," she said. "He probably would not say he’s a leader by nature, but I think most people around him would disagree with that. His personality just comes out when he’s speaking to a room, especially if he’s passionate about the topic."
That passion extends beyond the walls of Sunflower. Despite being "implants" in Great Bend - Maggie originally hails from Dodge City - the couple has made a deliberate effort to embed themselves in the community. They attend events and activities and say they do not understand those who claim "there is nothing to do in Great Bend."
Maggie noted that her husband’s visibility is a strategic effort to ensure Sunflower is seen in a positive light and to show that the organization gives back as much as it receives. He is known for his quick support of other local nonprofits, fostering a spirit of community reciprocation.
Even his personal style reflects a mix of serious advocacy and lighthearted showmanship. While he once performed backflips to entertain crowds, his wife recently encouraged him to retire that particular trick. "I said, 'You’re over 30 now, you can stop,'" she joked.
Still, his commitment to the mission remains high-energy. Whether he is in a formal meeting or a casual conversation, Harris is rarely seen without a way for community members to get involved.
"Everyone says, 'he’s Sunflower.' He’s the guy that everybody knows," Maggie said. "He never stops, he never turns it off. He wants to make sure people understand the work that Sunflower does and support it as much as he can."
His life has come full circle recently. His mother, who still lives in Deerfield, decided to move his sister to Great Bend so she can enjoy the services provided by Sunflower.
2025 Citizen of the Year: Nancy Sundahl
What hasn’t she been involved in?
By Dale Hogg, Hogg Strategies & Stories
GREAT BEND, Kan. — Nancy Sundahl’s dedication to local organizations is so well known that Kevin, her husband of 52 years, joked, "A bumper sticker for her would be: ‘This car stops at all meetings.’"
It is for this dedication that the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce has announced Sundahl as the 2025 Citizen of the Year, honoring her career-long commitment to the community.
She was recognized alongside Business of the Year Stueder Contractors Inc., Legacy Award recipient Mark Calcara and NextGen Leader of the Year Cody Harris during the chamber’s 104th annual awards banquet Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center.
The award is the chamber’s highest individual honor, recognizing those who give their time and talent to enrich the local culture. Sundahl was selected based on her leadership and her role as a professional and social role model.
The Citizen of the Year Award celebrates individuals who lead by example. According to the chamber, nominees are evaluated on their commitment to community impact and their ability to inspire others through service.
A native of Great Bend, Sundahl graduated from Great Bend High School, Barton Community College and Kansas State University. She married Kevin in 1973 after the pair met as members of the inaugural student classes at BCC. At the college, she was a cheerleader and he played basketball.
Nancy earned her degree in education and began her career as a history teacher and cheerleader sponsor at Claflin High School.
"She took some bus trips with the cheerleaders to wherever they went," Kevin said. "She was the sponsor for three years."
After marrying following their senior year of college, the couple moved to Great Bend. While Nancy taught in Claflin, Kevin worked in home construction for her father.
"I worked for one year and one day. That’s the last time I do construction," Kevin recalled. He later transitioned into coaching at Barton Community College and then property appraising.
Sundahl began her professional career teaching social sciences and cheerleading sponsor at Claflin High School. In 1985, she transitioned to a career in the beauty industry with Mary Kay Inc., which she said provided the flexibility to increase her involvement in family and community activities. She has also assisted her husband in his private appraisal business.
Her civic record includes more than 40 years with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and 50-year memberships in both PEO and Beta Sigma Phi-Xi Delta Upsilon. Sundahl’s leadership roles include the Great Bend High School Booster Club, the USD 428 Board of Education, president of Emergency Aid, and secretary-treasurer of the Barton County Association of Churches. She has served as a chamber ambassador and spent a stint working in the chamber office.
She currently serves on the BCC Foundation Board and is a member of the Barton County 100 Who Care committee. An active member of Prince of Peace Parish, Sundahl serves as a lector, eucharistic minister and volunteer at Holy Family School.
She and Kevin have three sons - Shane, Kris and Lukas - and seven grandchildren.
Her son, Kris, remembers his mother balancing community roles with the responsibilities of raising three active sons. Despite her schedule, she rarely missed a football, basketball or baseball game.
"She set an example for us of how to be involved in the community, but then still be there for your family," Kris said. "I don't think she ever missed any of our activities ... even with grandkids now, she’s very supportive."
Kris recalled his mother taking him along to deliver Meals on Wheels as a child, an experience that shaped his view on community service.
"We remember her taking us out with her when we did that," Kris said. "It just kind of showed us how important it was ... how it lit up a lot of those individuals' days."
Kris noted that his mother’s hectic schedule might be her way of staying focused.
"Staying involved and busy cuts down on [worrying] for her," Kris said. "She doesn’t have time to think about things ... she’s so involved and busy."
While Kris observed that younger generations sometimes struggle to find time for community involvement, he sees his mother’s lifelong commitment as a blueprint.
"I’m in awe of what she does a lot of times," Kris said. "All the stuff that she does, I can’t imagine being that busy."
Sundahl remains active, often splitting duties with Kevin to follow their grandchildren to events in different towns. Kevin describes her as a "very protective" and "family-oriented" person who stays busy by design.
"She’s done a lot of things," Kevin said, "and she will continue to do things till she expires."
Two years ago, Kris was named the chamber’s Next-Gen Award recipient, but wasn’t going to make it to the banquet. Since the honor was a secret and he didn’t know he was the winner, he was told his mom was getting the award to encourage him to be there.
It worked.
“Now, it is her turn,” Kris said. “I think this is a very fitting award for her.”
2025 Business of the Year: Stueder Contractors Inc.
From garage to regional leader
By Dale Hogg, Hogg Strategies & Stories
GREAT BEND, Kan. — From a tiny garage-sized location with three employees to a regional home-service industry leader, Stueder Contractors Inc. has defined the "American Dream" in Great Bend for four decades. In recognition of that journey, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce named the company its 2025 Business of the Year.
The business joined Citizen of the Year Nancy Sundahl, Legacy Award recipient Mark Calcara and NextGen Leader of the Year Cody Harris as honorees during the chamber’s 104th annual awards banquet Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center.
“It’s very humbling,” Terry Stueder said of the honor, looking at a display of photographs tracing the company’s 42-year history. Looking at the list of past recipients, he said it is hard to imagine they belong in such rarified company.
The Business of the Year Award recognizes local companies that demonstrate excellence and leadership in the marketplace. The award is open to chamber members who excel in five key areas: customer service, business growth, resilience, community engagement and innovation. According to the chamber, the honor highlights businesses that lead with integrity and serve as an inspiration to the community.
To qualify, businesses must show measurable growth and a commitment to improving products or services while contributing to the betterment of Great Bend through local initiatives. Stueder Contractors has shown particular resilience, expanding its footprint multiple times—including a major renovation of its 10th Street storefront five years ago - to meet community needs.
Founded in August 1984 by rural Claflin native Terry Stueder, who was 22 at the time, and his wife Great Bend native MelEesa Stueder, then a senior at Kansas State University, the company began with Terry, one technician and a part-time secretary. He took over an Ellinwood business whose owner was nearing retirement, opened in Great Bend and grew it from there.
Today, the business has 22 employees and a fleet of 15 service trucks, providing a full suite of services including heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and water treatment.
The business began in a space barely larger than a garage with a small attached office. Roughly five years later, the Stueders outgrew the rental property and purchased the building adjacent to their current site. While they expected the new location to last a lifetime because it tripled their square footage, they outgrew the space in two years and purchased their current facility, which they have also expanded and remodeled.
The chamber played a pivotal role in the company's early success, dating back to when Irv Gotsche first invited Terry to join the organization while the business was just starting.
“That was one of the best decisions I've ever made,” Terry said. Because the business lacked an advertising budget, the networking opportunities the chamber offered helped propel the fledgling operation to what it is today.
The Stueder family’s connection to the chamber runs deep; Terry served as an ambassador and as board chair in 1999.
Beyond the chamber, MelEesa said the community has been supportive. “They’ve been very good to us. We just want to give back where we can. We’ve been blessed.” The company contributes to many organizations and fundraising efforts.
Additionally, Terry said they saw a need for a home and garden show and sponsored the Spring Expo for more than 20 years. Even though they do not golf, they are contributing to the Great Bend Recreation Commission’s effort to revamp the former Club at StoneRidge golf course because they see the need for such a facility.
“It hasn’t always been like this,” MelEesa said, adding that many see their 10th Street storefront and fleet of trucks and assume it has always been successful. “We started from nothing.”
When they were first married, MelEesa had a job with the Pizza Hut corporate office in Wichita to support the business. She commuted, or the couple would meet in Hutchinson just to see one another.
Now, Terry is still involved every day, just in a less hands-on capacity. While he used to run service calls and handle all the estimating, their current crew has allowed him to take a break from those specific tasks. “They are what make us tick,” he said.
Several of their staff members have worked for the company for over 25 years. They include Steve Wondra, water treatment sales; Alan Crowther, plumbing manager; Gary Wondra, HVAC sales; and Marla Poppelreiter, office manager.
“We hope to continue this into a second generation,” MelEesa said. Their daughter, Tarynn Kirmer (who lives with her husband Benn in Claflin) and their son-in-law, Rusty Newton (husband of daughter Evann), work for the family business.
Their other daughter, Brenna Marshall and husband Logan, live in Great Bend, and their son, Trent lives in Emporia.
2025 Legacy Award: Mark Calcara
‘GB’ is branded on his heart
Calcara bleeds KSU purple, but loves Great Bend
By Dale Hogg, Hogg Strategies & Stories
GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has honored Mark Calcara with the 2025 Legacy Award, recognizing a lifetime of service that left an indelible mark on the community.
He stood with Business of the Year Stueder Contractors Inc., Citizen of the Year Nancy Sundahl and NextGen Leader of the Year Cody Harris as an honoree during the chamber’s 104th annual awards banquet Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center.
The Legacy Award is a discretionary honor selected by the chamber board, reserved for individuals whose influence spans decades. It was first established to honor the legacy of JanSport founder and Great Bend native Skip Yowell.
Calcara’s influence on the local business landscape was significant, including his service as the chamber’s board chair in 1986. His professional work and civic involvement helped set the standard for leadership in the region.
"The Legacy Award honors those who have made a lasting impact on the fabric of our community," the chamber stated. Calcara’s dedication to Great Bend continues to be felt through the businesses he supported and the community leaders he mentored over his years of service.
A lifelong resident, Calcara’s roots in Barton County run deep. A graduate of Great Bend High School, he is a fourth-generation farmer who still lives on his childhood homestead. His professional legal career began in 1980 when he opened a private practice before partnering with Earl Watkins in 1983; that firm has since grown to include nine attorneys and 11 staff members.
Calcara’s civic resume includes serving as chamber board chairman in 1986 and being named Citizen of the Year in 2000. He was instrumental in founding the Golden Belt Community Foundation and has served on boards for the Great Bend Co-op, American State Bank, and the University of Kansas Health System.
His leadership extended to regional infrastructure as well, serving 15 years as general counsel for Sunflower Electric Power Corp. Locally, he contributed to the Downtown Streetscape Project and chaired the Great Bend Economic Development board.
A member of the First United Methodist Church and is an active supporter of USD 428, where three of his grandchildren are currently enrolled.
Calcara earned his business degree from Kansas State University and his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka.
“Originally, he was not planning on coming to Great Bend,” his wife of 46 years Melanie, said.
After graduating from KSU, he joined the Air Force for three years. He planned to serve his country then attend law school and go out on his own.
But while at Washburn, his father passed away. “He has five siblings (two sisters and two brothers) and none of them were interested in coming back to run the family farm,” she said.
“He felt the responsibility to come back,” his wife said. So, during the summers while in law school, he came home and farmed.
After graduation, he moved back to stay. “He did farm for the first 20 years of our marriage,” she said.
“He’s from here and he knew a lot of people,” she said. So, he threw himself into the community, meeting more people and getting even more involved.
“I couldn’t understand this at first,” Melanie said. She thought he was spreading himself too thin.
“I didn’t understand the importance of community,” she said. But, Calcara did and “eventually, he won me over.”
Today, both are integral components of Great Bend.
They have two sons: Taylor, his wife Kelly and three children of Great Bend; and Chris, his wife Vanessa and three children of Lenexa. “We are blessed with six grandchildren,” Melonie said.
Tayler is continuing the family’s legal legacy. He joined his father’s law firm.
Melanie, noted his deep devotion to the city. "Most people will say that he ‘bleeds purple,’" she said. "While this may be true, I’ve always said he has a great big ‘GB’ branded on his heart."
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