The Republican Party of Kansas recently elected two new players to the political world, and my, oh my, do they have impressive backgrounds.

The new Kansas Republican Committeewoman is Dr. Helen Van Etten. A graduate in 1977 of National Taiwan Normal University, Helen saw first hand the importance of freedom and the special gift that is America. “I was born in Taiwan, several decades ago,” said Dr. Van Etten. “As a little kid, I watched through my telescope Communist China missiles being lined up toward our little island and I had many nightmares about my home, turned into a living hell under totalitarian communism. From the moment I immigrated to United States of America, I did not have to look far to see the greatness of America, and the goodness of the American people.”

Graduating from Wayne State University in Michigan with a masters' degree of Audiology in 1981 and then a Doctorate or AuD in Audiology from the University of Florida. Helen worked in various hospital settings since becoming an Audiologist but is currently an Educational Audiologist for the Topeka Public School serving children from birth through 12th grade. She is also a consultant for Health Care Policy, Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services - Medicaid program. Additionally, she has been appointed by the Governors of Kansas to be the clinical audiologist board member for the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) for the past eight years.

Dr. Van Ellen spoke of why being the GOP National Committeewoman is so important. “My life story is like so many other American stories, a story of hope, and the promise of the American Dream through Freedom. I strongly believe the strength of our nation lies with individual and that each person's dignity; freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored. I believe government must practice fiscal responsibility. And I truly believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

The new Kansas Republican Committeeman is Mike Pompeo, and like Dr. Van Ellen, his background and resume are awe-inspiring as well. Mike was born and raised in Santa Ana, California. In 1986, he graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy. At West Point, Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering management with a concentration in mechanical engineering. After graduation, Mike spent five years as a cavalry officer in the United States Army. His time in service included three years in Bindlach, Federal Republic of Germany, leading troops patrolling the Iron Curtain along the then-East German and Czechoslovakian border. The remainder of Mike’s time as an Army officer was split between Ft. Knox, Kentucky and Fort Carson, Colorado.

Mike left the Army in 1991 and proceeded to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1994. While in law school, Mike was as an editor for the Harvard Law Review. Mike became an attorney for the law firm of Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C. working on matters ranging from securities law to environmental issues to tax fraud before moving to Johnson County, Kansas in 1996.

Along with three partners, Mike raised capital to begin a new business that became Thayer Aerospace. Thayer Aerospace, headquartered in Wichita where Mike has lived since 1998, grew to have over 500 total team members. After less than a decade as Thayer Aerospace’s chief executive, Mike and his team created a business, which was, by 2006, one of the five largest aviation subcontractors in Sedgwick County. In 2006, Mike transitioned to his current business role as President of Sentry International, an independent business that is engaged in the sale of oilfield pumping units and other oil and gas equipment.

There are three legs to the foundation of leadership within the state GOP. Dr. Kris Kobach, Chairman of the Kansas GOP and who himself has just as impressive background as Mike and Helen, provides that third leg of a solid Party. And all three are committed Federalists, as were the Founding Fathers of our great country.

The Republican Party just voted into power and leadership a “legal” immigrant. Who saw the perils, first-hand, of Communism. Who came to this country, worked hard, obeyed the laws, and as achieve an America dream. The Republican Party of Kansas just voted into power and leadership a graduate of West Point, who served his country proudly and who commanded soldiers facing the threats of our enemies. A man who would become educated at Harvard Law School and then come to the Midwest for that which is something very American, Entrepreneurism.

Kansan’s should not be more proud than they are today of such great citizens!