James Franko is the Vice President and Policy Director at Kansas Policy Institute. In this role he is responsible for much of the organization’s outreach, policy analysis, and communications efforts. James brings experience from across the free-market movement including time on Capitol Hill and with the National Center for Policy Analysis, a think tank that previously operated out of Dallas. While on Capitol Hill, he handled a variety of policy issues and spent time as a staff member within the Kansas delegation. James has published opinion pieces in both national and Kansas-based outlets. He has also written extensively in his various think tank roles. A Kansas native and Wildcat, James was raised in Stilwell and graduated from Kansas State University in 2005. At K-State, James received his Bachelor of Business Administration while dual majoring in marketing and entrepreneurship and earning a minor in economics. E-mail James here.

Ellen Janoski is the Director of Communications and Marketing at Kansas Policy Institute. In this role she is responsible for crafting and delivering the overall messaging to the public, communicating the truth about policy issues affecting Kansans in their every-day. Prior to joining the KPI team, Ellen held various positions in the liberty movement. She recently led the marketing strategies for iVoterGuide where she was responsible for building innovative media platforms and digital assets designed to impact elections by increasing the informed vote in key state primary elections. Ellen oversaw the Political Management Team for a nationally renowned public relations firm in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Ellen also worked for The Leadership Institute, in Arlington, VA where she traveled across America teaching a wide array of political workshops. Ellen has been a consultant and an activist for various political campaigns ranging from small-town judicial races all the way to holding campaign positions in presidential campaigns.

Ellen is a Kansas native – raised in the Wichita area. Ellen attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas and graduated from East Texas Baptist University in 2006 with a Bachelors in secondary education and American Government. E-mail Ellen here.

Jeff Romine serves as a Development Officer for Kansas Policy Institute. In this role he works to promote KPI’s fundraising efforts through building meaningful partnerships with the businesses, organizations, and citizens of Kansas. He also supports the daily operations of the Wichita Office.

Jeff attended Fort Hays State University where he studied Political Science. Prior to joining Kansas Policy Institute, Jeff worked extensively in the private security industry, including for corporations and government.

Jeff is a proud Wichita native. In his spare time, Jeff is a freelance narrator and voice actor. He can also be found reading good books, spending time with his wife and two children, and serving in his church community. E-mail Jeff here.

Dave Trabert is President of Kansas Policy Institute. He is a frequent speaker to business, legislative and civic groups and also does research and writes on fiscal policy and education issues.  He is the lead author of the tax policy book What was Really the Matter with the Kansas Tax Plan. His other published work includes “A Five-Year Budget Plan for the State of Kansas,” “Student-Focused Funding Solutions for Public Education,” “Removing Barriers to Better Public Education,” “A Historical Perspective of State Aid, Tuition and Spending for State Universities in Kansas” and “Volume III: Analysis of K-12 Spending in Kansas,” a primer on K-12 finance.

Trabert regularly testifies before Kansas House and Senate committees on state budget, tax and education issues and was an appointed member of the Kansas K-12 Student Achievement and Efficiency Commission. He serves on the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force and co-chairs the Education Finance Joint Working Group for the American Legislative Exchange Council.

His commentaries have been published by The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, Forbes, The Washington Times, The Washington Examiner, TheHill.com and The Daily Caller.  His guest editorials have also been published in many Kansas newspapers, including the Wichita Eagle, Topeka Capital-Journal, Hays Daily News, Kansas City Star, Hutchinson News and the Manhattan Free Press.

He graduated cum laude from West Liberty University with a degree in Business Administration. E-mail Dave here.

Beth Wasko is the Administrative Assistant at Kansas Policy Institute. She is responsible for daily operations in the Overland Park office. She also assists in the maintenance of KPI’s website and publishes KPI’s newsletters and other electronic communications. Born and raised in Overland Park, Beth graduated from K-State with a degree in marketing. Prior to joining KPI, she worked at American Century Investments for 15 years and as a freelance proofreader and editor. Beth enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, and is active in her church community and her childrens’ schools.
E-mail Beth here.