More about Jeff Whitham I am 53 years old; Grew up farming and feeding cattle in Wichita County; Graduated from Kansas State University (Magna Cum Laude) and Washburn Law School (Dean's Honors); Practiced law for a short time in Garden City; Went to work in the banking business in 1981 and started as president of Western State Bank in 1983, I have been the president or CEO since then; Western State is a successful bank that has grown to be the second largest bank chartered in western Kansas. FAMILY Pat and I have been married for 25 years. We have raised four children and coddle five grand children. Pat and I are long term members of the Presbyterian Church. GOOD EXPERIENCE PROVEN LEADERSHIP President of Western State Bank for 23 years. Partner in our family farm operation. Past Garden City commissioner and mayor Past board member and chairman of Garden City Family YMCA Present board member of Finney County Economic Development Corp. Present board member of Garden City ethanol plant now under construction WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME We need to hold down the amount of taxes paid to the state. When the state's revenue is growing strongly, as they are now, we need to consider how we can lower the total tax burden. We need to keep Kansas a good place for people to work, raise a family and stay in during retirement. We need to make Kansas a good place in which to do business. This means controlling taxes, controlling law suit awards and controlling state agency regulations. We must have good quality schools, community colleges, technical schools and universities. Our kindergarten through 12th grade school system is probably now adequately funded.