Board of Directors

Michael Stover, President Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office: Colonel Michael Stover joined the Sheriff's Office in 1989 as a Detention Deputy and was selected as a Law Enforcement Deputy in 1992. He has worked in practically every area of the Sheriff's Office in the last 19 years. Recently Sheriff Hinshaw named Colonel Stover as Undersheriff. In this capacity and as second-in-command, his duty is to assist the Sheriff in the operational aspects of running one of the largest Sheriff's Offices in Kansas. In addition to the day-to-day operations, he oversees the personnel functions of hiring and discipline. His responsibilities also extend to the oversight of the Professional Standards Unit. Colonel Stover holds a bachelor's degree from Wichita State University, is a graduate from University of Louisville's Administrative Officer's Course as well as the Executive Development Program from Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs at WSU.
Marilyn Cook, Vice President COMCARE of Sedgwick County: As Executive Director of COMCARE of Sedgwick County, Marilyn Cook oversees operations of the largest community mental health center in the state. Ms. Cook earned her undergraduate and Master's degrees from Michigan State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Specialist Social Worker and her responsibilities include those of clinician, administrator and educator. Ms. Cook currently serves on the state level as Chair of the Mental Health Consortium Board and a member of the Associate of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas' Public Policy Committee. Locally, her committee involvement includes the Sedgwick County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and serves as mental health representative to Team Justice, Sedgwick County's juvenile corrections advisory board. As an expert in community mental health concerns, Ms. Cook frequently presents testimony on these and other mental health issues.
Marsha Anderson, TreasurerCerebral Palsy Research Foundation: Marsha Anderson is a Certified Public Accountant with over 17 years experience in the accounting field. She currently is the Chief Financial Officer for the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation. After graduating from Wichita State University in 1992, Marsha served as a business consultant to many small businesses and non-profits in the Wichita area. In addition to serving as a board member and officer of the Child Advocacy Center, she freely shares her expertise by serving on boards and/or councils of several state and local organizations such as Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, the Spina Bifida Association of Kansas and the Wichita YMCA. Marsha Anderson was recently recognized by the Wichita Business Journal as one of Wichita's "Top 40 under 40 Business People". She is seen as a grounded individual who backs up her beliefs with actions.
Deb Cook, Secretary Community Representative: Deb Cook is a licensed Social Worker with a degree in Social Work and Psychology from Bethany College in LIndsburg, Kansas. She first experienced her keen interest in the safety and welfare of children with her first job - at Rainbows United. As her involvement in the child welfare and safety grew, she served six years on the Board of Directors at Family Consultation Services. In addition to her efforts on behalf of children, Ms Cook is a member and bookkeeper for her husband's construction company, Bob Cook Homes. Deb says that she is very excited to see all the founding members' hard work come together and to be a part of creating a premier child advocacy center in Sedgwick County.
Marc Bennett Office of the 18th Judicial District Attorney
Diane Bidwell Social & Rehabilitation Services
Buffy Dodson Community Representative
Steve Edgar Wesley Medical Center: Steven Edgar serves as Chief Operating Officer for Wesley Medical Center. He received a degree in physical therapy and a post-graduate degree in health care administration from the University of Missouri. He has a growing interest in safety and welfare of children, as many of the injured receive their care at Wesley. He believes advocacy is important for the children and those who provide their care and assist in their recovery. Edgar appreciates the forum that the Child Advocacy Center offers our community to speak to multiple stakeholders about these issues and opportunities to improve the lives of our children.
Katherine Melhorn KU School of Medicine - Wichita: Dr. Katherine Melhorn is a Board Certified Pediatrician, Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the AAP Section on Child Abuse and Neglect. Dr. Melhorn is renowned and frequently called upon for her expertise in patient care, consultation, testimony and education in the areas of child physical and sexual abuse and child neglect evaluation, investigation and management. She is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics with the University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita, program director for the pediatric residency program and a member of the State Child Death Review Board. In1997, Dr. Melhorn received the Kansas Medical Society Auxiliary Award recognizing dedication to education other about child abuse and child sexual abuse. She is also the recipient of the 2005 Department of Health and Human Service Commissioner's Award for Kansas recognizing significant contributions in the area of child abuse and neglect.
Peggy Schwendeman Community Representative: Peggy Schwendeman is a community representative and a licensed Real Estate agent with memberships in the KAR, NAR and WAAR organizations. She received an Associate in General Studies degree from BCC, and has been in various management, sales, and marketing positions with local companies. Her passion for the well being of all children and their families is one of the many reasons she became involved with the CACSC. She believes that the continued effort and collaboration of all professionals and partner agencies, along with the ongoing educational outreach to the community, will result in helping to eliminate the suffering of abused children.
Tom Stolz Wichita Police Department: Tom Stolz is a 26-year veteran and Deputy Chief of the Wichita Police Department. During his tenure, he has served in such capacities as Patrol Officer, Crime Scene Investigator and Undercover Narcotics Detective. He has held supervisory roles throughout the WPD. Deputy Chief Stolz is currently the Division Chief for Police Investigations and oversees a staff of 164 with the Police Department. In 1994, he was given the opportunity to be one of the original community policing supervisors, and has since helped usher in the community policing philosophy under which the Wichita Police Department now operates. Deputy Chief Stolz has an undergraduate degree In Biology/Chemistry from Newman University. He received a Master's degree in Administration of Justice from Wichita State University, where, since 1990, he has also served as an adjunct professor.
Kathy Williams Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center: Staunch advocate and spokesperson for the victims and survivors of sexual assault, Kathy Williams, is the Executive Director of the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center (WASAC); a position she has held for almost nine years. She also served as WASAC's Coordinator of Victim Services for five years. Ms. Williams knew from the beginning of her secondary education that she wanted to work with women and children who had experienced violence. Her time spent as a practicum student at YWCA Women's Crisis Center affirmed this choice of vocations. Ms Williams received her undergraduate degree from Wichita State University and, in 2002, earned her Master's of Social Work from Newman University. In addition to serving as a board member of the CACSC, she freely shares her expertise by serving on boards and/or councils of several state and local organizations, such as Wichita/Sedgwick County Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition, WSU Women's Studies Community Council and Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. When speaking of the CACSC, Ms. Williams believes "The Center will be a great opportunity to better integrate services for children and families".