News Release: Toni Porter joins JAG-K
Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas, Inc., today announced Toni Porter as the new Vice President of Marketing and Development. Porter started on March 23, and will succeed Senior Vice President of Marketing and Development Mark Bisbing, who is retiring in June.
“I could not be more pleased that Toni is joining us. Her reputation and experience are impeccable, and I know we will benefit immensely as an organization and executive team,” said Chuck Knapp, President & CEO. “Mark has been a trusted and valued member of our team, and we will miss him.”
Porter most recently served as the Vice President of Government Relations and Military Affairs for the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has also worked as a senior official in the United States Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University and is an active member of the Wichita community.
“I am incredibly honored to join the JAG-K executive team at such a pivotal time for Kansas youth,” said Toni Porter, Vice President of Marketing and Development. “JAG-K has a proven track record of transforming lives through its evidence-based model, and I am excited to help drive the strategic growth of programs that provide stability, mentorship, and real-world skills to those who need them most.”
Porter will be responsible for leading the JAG-K marketing and developing team, which is responsible for increasing awareness of the organization, securing private financial support, and building relationships with the Kansas business community. Porter will also be assisting Knapp with government relations at the local, state and federal levels.
Kansas’ 120 JAG-K programs serve more than 6,600 students in 54 school districts across the state. JAG-K Career Specialists help students graduate and learn career, leadership, and life skills by executing a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model. Participants must meet criteria to be selected for the program and have potential to overcome various barriers to post-secondary success.
The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 36 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include ADM, AT&T, EagleU, Goldstein Charitable Trust, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, Honeywell, John Deere, Johnson County Community College, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, Mark One Electric, the Office of the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, United Way of Kaw Valley, United Way of the Plains, U.S. Bank and Walmart.
To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, or ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.