Annual Recognition Dinner

Dan Barnes

An Eagle Scout, Dan Barnes has been a key member of the Scouting community in Kansas City for decades. Dan serves as the longtime Scoutmaster of Troop 1032 out of Raymore, a role that he has held since 1982. His involvement in Scouting also includes Assistant Scoutmaster, Venturing Crew Charter Organization Representative, and Girl Scout Leader.

Dan serves as the District Advancement Chair for the Spirit Trail District and has served the Heart of America Council as a member of the Bartle Camp Staff and as a member of the BSA 100th Anniversary Staff.

Dan has received the District Award of Merit, the Scouter’s Training Award, the Scouter’s Key, and is a member of Mic-O-Say and the Order of the Arrow and is Wood Badge trained.

Dan’s service is not limited to Scouting. He serves as a Ruling Elder and Member of the Board of Trustees for the Raymore Presbyterian Church, the Raymore Festival in the Park Chair, and a youth sports coach. He has also received the Raymore Civic Leadership Award for his dedicated service to his community.

He is the proud father of three Eagle Scouts.

Professionally, Dan is an Online Academy 3rd Grade Instructor for the Lee’s Summit School District.

Bill Crain

An Eagle Scout, Bill Crain has been a tireless volunteer for Scouting in Kansas City for over 40 years. His service to the Heart of America Council includes Pack Committee Member and Webelos Den Leader of Pack 552 out of Grandview. He then went on to serve as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 552. Bill has served at the district level as a committee member in the Thunderbird District and currently serves on the Frontier District Committee.

Bill was a longtime member of the Bartle Camp maintenance staff and Campmaster. He was awarded the Bartle Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedicated service to the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. Bill is a member of Mic-O-Say and is Wood Badge trained.

Bill has been recognized at the district level with the District Award of Merit, is a James E. West Fellow, and has been awarded the Cordell D. Weeks Jr. Scoutreach Service Award. Bill was a co-founder of the General Motors / Union Automotive Workers Pinewood Derby which has raised over $350,000 in camp scholarships.

Bill’s family has a long history of Scouting in Kansas City.

Bill is a retired General Motors Employee.

Don Flinn

Don Flinn has been involved with Scouting in Kansas City for too many years to count. His dedicated service to the Heart of America Council has ranged from Webelos Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, and Committee Chair. Don has served as a Unit Commissioner and Assistant District Commissioner and currently serves as a Member-at-Large for the North Star District.

He has been an essential part of the Heart of America maintenance team and has served on the Bartle maintenance staff for years. He has been awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. Don is a member of Mic-O-Say and is Wood Badge trained. He was awarded the Torch of Gold Award for outstanding service to Scouts with special needs. He is also a long-standing member of the College of Commissioner Service team.

Don’s service to the community has revolved around his membership in the Kansas City and Northland Optimist Club and his membership in the Northland Elks Lodge.

Don is the proud father, grandfather, and uncle of several Eagle Scouts and a proud uncle of a Gold Award Recipient.

Don, who is now retired, managed his own company, Don Flinn Associates.

Brad Frederick

An Eagle Scout, Brad Frederick has provided strong leadership in the Heart of America Council and Scouting in Kansas City since he was a youth member.

Brad currently serves as a committee member for Crew 2569. He has previously served as a committee member in various units across the council, as Pack Committee Chairman, and Venturing Crew Advisor.

Brad’s service extends to the council level and has worked several summers on the Bartle Camp Staff assisting in workday programs. He is currently a member of the Lone Bear Council Ring Brick Committee, and is the council's New Program Chairman.

As the Council New Program Chair, Brad is directly involved with creating new activities and programs to better engage and retain Scouts of all ages in the Kansas City area. Through his work he has created a stronger Scouting program in the Heart of America Council.

“Brad has counseled and mentored hundreds of Scouts, giving them guidance during their Scouting experience.”

James Vaca | Committee Chairman, Troop 2596

Brad is a member of Mic-O-Say and serves on the Spirit Council.

Professionally, Brad works as an IT Manager at Aro Inc.

Kathleen Gordon-Ross

Kathleen Gordon-Ross is no stranger to the busy lifestyle that comes with volunteering for the BSA. As a dedicated leader in Troop 158 and Troop 55 out of Lawrence, Kathleen has served in many positions at the unit, district, and council levels.

She currently serves as the Committee Chair for Troop 55. Kathleen has also volunteered with Troop 158 and previously served as the unit’s advancement chair for six years. At the district level, Kathleen has served as Pelathe District Activities Chair, Day Camp Director and Day Camp Registrar. She has served the council on the Activities Advisory Board.

Kathleen has been recognized for her dedicated service to Scouting with the District Award of Merit. She is Wood Badge trained and National Camping School Certified.

In her community, Kathleen has a reputation for being heavily involved and well respected. Despite not having any children still active in the marching band, Kathleen still serves as the band's tailor, making alterations to uniforms. She is also active in her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served in multiple leadership and teaching positions.

Kathleen is the proud mother of an Eagle Scout and a Life Scout.

Professionally, Kathleen is the Assistant Merchandise Buyer for the University of Kansas Bookstore.

Gordon Harton

Gordon Harton has devoted many years of his life to Scouting in Kansas City.

Gordon is an active leader in Troop 122 out of Overland Park. He is the past Eagle Coach and Committee Chair for the Troop.

Gordon is the past Iron Horse District Advancement and Awards Chair. He is also very active at the council level and serves as the Advancement and Awards Committee Chair and is an instructor at University of Scouting. As the Eagle Coach and District Advancement Chair, Gordon has watched over 600 Scouts achieve Eagle across the troop and district.

Gordon has been awarded the District Committee Chair of the Year Award, the District Award of Merit, is a member of Mic-O-Say and a Vigil Member in the Order of the Arrow.

In the community, Gordon serves on the Lacrosse Association of Kansas City Board and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program.

He is the proud father of two Eagle Scouts.

Professionally, Gordon is the President and CEO of Elmwood Reclaimed Timber.

Michael O'Neil

An Eagle Scout, Michael O’Neil has been a steady presence in the Kansas City Scouting community for years. Currently, Mike serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Committee Member for Troop 1374 out of Liberty.

Mike plays an active role at the district level and serves as the District Finance Chair and the Friends of Scouting Family Campaign Chair. He also serves as an Assistant District Commissioner and is a member of the District Eagle Scout Project Review Team. Mike also serves the Chairman of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Committee on Scouting. He has also served as a camp staff member at Bartle, both as a youth and adult.

Mike is a recipient of the District Award of Merit, a recipient of the H. Virgil Bower Award, and has been recognized with the District Commissioner of the Year Award. He is a member of Mic-O-Say, a member of the Order of the Arrow, and is Wood Badge trained.

Mike is an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is the proud father of an Eagle Scout.

Professionally, Mike is a Supply Chain Coordinator for Charter Communications.

Jeanette Prenger

Jeanette Prenger embodies service to Scouting. At the national level, Jeanette serves the Boy Scouts of America as a member of the BSA Executive Committee, the Chair of the Safety Committee, and on the BSA Nominating and Governance Committee. Locally she serves the Heart of America Council as the Vice President for Community Affairs on the Executive Committee and holds a position on the Heart of America Council’s Board of Directors.

Jeanette has been awarded the Vale La Pena! Service Award for her work with the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic and Latino youth and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award for her work with the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds.

Jeanette serves on various boards both nationally and locally including the national board of The Latino Coalition and the national board of Women Impacting Public Policy. Locally she serves on the American Royal Board, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and as a Trustee of Park University.

Professionally, Jeanette is the President and CEO of Ecco Select Corp.

Rob Richardson

An Eagle Scout, Rob Richardson has provided many dedicated years to Scouting in Kansas City at the unit, district, and council level.

Rob currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 522 and has previously served as Scoutmaster and Committee Chair. He has served as a member at large on the Kaw District Committee as well as District Membership Chair. He has also served on the Bartle Camp Staff for several summers as a youth and adult.

Rob has served the Heart of America Council as a member of the Council Camping Committee, a member of the Scouting 500 Cabinet, and as a program liaison for the Council Properties Committee. Rob is also a NCAP Visitation Specialist Team Lead.

Rob is a member of Mic-O-Say, a Brotherhood member in the Order of the Arrow, and is Wood Badge trained.

He is a proud father and brother of Eagle Scouts.

Professionally, Rob works as the Director of Development Coordination and Customer Service Success at the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County.

Bob Rodriguez

An Eagle Scout from Troop 30 in Kansas City, Bob Rodriguez has dedicated more than 30 years of service to Scouting in the Heart of America Council and to councils across the nation. Currently, he serves as a Committee Member for Troop 395 and has formally served as a Cubmaster for Pack 3395.

At the district level, Bob has served as the Patron Lunch Chair for the Blue Elk District, the Friends of Scouting Chair for the Pioneer Trails District and serves on the Urban Advisory Board for the Frontier District.

Bob serves the Heart of America Council as the Vice President of Urban Scouting on the Executive Committee. He is also a member of the Heart of America Board of Directors and was a member of the Council Steering Committee. He is a member of Mic-O-Say.

In the community, Bob serves on the Hurtado Scholars Program Advisory Board for Rockhurst High School and is a Board of Trustees member for Rockhurst High School.

He is the proud father and uncle to Eagle Scouts.

Professionally, Bob is the owner and General Manager for ACS Building Services.

Don Seaver

As the long time Scoutmaster of Troop 1173, Donald Seaver has given over three decades of service to the Heart of America Council.

Don began his adult Scouting career as a Den Leader and Cubmaster for Pack 4173, eventually becoming the Webelos Leader and the Pack Committee Chair. Don continued his Scouting leadership by serving Troop 1173 as treasurer, Committee Chair and Assistant Scoutmaster before he finally took on the role of Scoutmaster in 2002.

Don has been awarded the District Award of Merit, the Community of Christ Church International Youth Service Award, and the Wayne and Effie Tucker Blue and Gold Award. He is a member of Mic-O-Say.

Don serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the United Consumers Credit Union. He is an Elder in his church and formally served as his congregation's pastor. Don and his family have also served as hosts for three foreign exchange students.

Don is the proud father of two Eagle Scouts and the grandfather of current Scouts.

Prior to his retirement, Don managed a Real Estate Management Company.

Herb Strain

Herb Strain has cemented his legacy in Scouting as a leader in Troop 10 out of Leawood. He has been a member of Troop 10 since 1995 and has served the unit in many capacities including Advancement Chair, Health and Safety Officer, and currently serves the troop as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Troop Registrar.

Herb is an active member of the Soaring Eagle District Committee serving as the District Merit Badge Forum Chair and as the District Advancement Chair.

He has been a key player in the development of Troop 10 and has been recognized for his work with his unit. He is the recipient of the William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award, the District Outstanding Webmaster Award, the Scouter’s Training Award, the Scouter’s Key Award, and the District Award of Merit. Herb is a member of Mic-O-Say, Order of the Arrow, and is a member of the Brown Hawk Society in the Order of the Arrow.

Herb serves the Leawood community as the Treasurer of the Leawood Lions Club.

Herb is the proud father to Eagle Scouts.

Professionally, Herb is a retired Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.

Brian Streich

An Eagle Scout, Brian has been actively involved in the Scouting program since he was a youth.

Brian’s Scouting career has allowed him to serve in multiple leadership roles across Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA. He has been the Scoutmaster for Troop 1394 in the North Star District for the past six years and served as Cubmaster, Den Leader and Committee Chair for Pack 4394 for nearly twelve years.

He has held positions at the council level including serving as a member of the Scouting 500 Committee and as a former Council Activities and Advancement Chair. Brian currently serves on the Council Program Committee and is a member of the Heart of America Council’s Board of Directors.

Brian has been awarded the District Award of Merit, the Cubmaster's Key and the Scoutmaster's Key. Brian is a Vigil member in the Order of the Arrow and has received the Founders award for his outstanding service to Scouting. He is also a member of Mic-O-Say and is Wood Badge trained. As a youth, Brian was recognized as the American Legion's Iowa Scout of the Year.

Brian is the proud son, brother, and father of Eagle Scouts.

Professionally, Brian serves as a Vice President for the Cerner Corporation.

Mark Trammell

Mark Trammell has served Scouting with distinction for a lifetime. Mark, a Life Scout, was a youth member of Troop 360 out of the Broken Arrow District. He pursued his love of Scouting by volunteering as a full time Reservation Maintenance Commissioner at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. 

He has been a member of the Council Campmaster Committee for eight years, holding the position of workday coordinator for off-season workdays at Bartle. Mark was also a Unit Commissioner and Merit Badge Counselor in the Thunderbird District.

As a member of Troop 88, Mark served in a range of positions from Committee Member to Assistant Scoutmaster.

Mark has received the Silver Acorn Award for going above and beyond in his duties as a Scout leader. He is also a recipient of the District Award of Merit and is a James E. West Fellow. He is Wood Badge trained and is a member of Mic-O-Say.

Mark’s three sons, Kyle, Wes, and Lance are all Eagle Scouts. He currently has four grandsons involved in the Scouting program.

Mark is a retired Millwright worker.

Myrl Wear

Myrl Wear embodies dedicated service to Scouting with almost a quarter century of leadership through his tenure as Scoutmaster of Troop 93 out of Shawnee. Prior to stepping into the role of Scoutmaster, Myrl served the troop as Advancement Chair and Assistant Scoutmaster and had served as a Cubmaster before that.

Through his years of Scouting, Myrl has watched over 230 Scouts complete their Trail to Eagle under his leadership as Scoutmaster and Advancement Chair. For his dedicated service to advancement in his unit, Myrl was recognized by the Heart of America Council with the Paul D. Arend Distinguished Scoutmaster Award.

He has also been recognized at the district level for his work as Scoutmaster and has been Awarded the Outstanding Scoutmaster Award three separate times. Myrl is a James E. West Fellow, is a member of Mic-O-Say and a Vigil honor member of the Order of the Arrow.

Myrl is the proud father of three Eagle Scouts.

Professionally, Mryl works as a Senior Environmental Engineer at Burns & McDonnell.

David Yeamans

An Eagle Scout, David Yeamans has given many years of dedicated service to the Scouting community in Kansas City. He has served as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 92 and a Den Leader in Pack 3449. David serves as a member of the Heart of America Council’s Executive Committee and was the former Chairman of the Scouting 500.

David is a recipient of the Ewing M. Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Scout Award for providing exemplary service to the community. He has also been awarded the Community Labor Partner Award.

His service to Scouting includes planning and leading Burns & McDonnell's reconstruction efforts of the three council rings at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation and the two council rings at the Theodore Naish Scout reservation.

David is a member of Mic-O-Say and the Order of the Arrow.

David’s service doesn’t stop at Scouting. He served on various boards across Kansas City including the Friends of the Zoo (FOTZ), the Alzheimer’s Association, Park University Civic Board, and the March of Dimes.

David is the proud father of an Eagle Scout.

Professionally, David serves as the President of Aviation & Federal Division and is on the Board of Directors at Burns & McDonnell.