It's Your Business has Pedro Concepcion, Philip Bacchus, Kelli Mark, Austin Crow

Hires

The NOTO Board of Directors has selected Pedro Concepcion to serve as the organization’s chief executive officer. Concepcion is a well-established fixture in NOTO and the Topeka community, co-owner of several small businesses and has contributed to the establishment of many popular restaurants in Topeka. He has also served on the NOTO board since 2020. Concepcion will succeed Thomas Underwood, who is retiring later this year. Concepcion will assume leadership of the organization Aug. 1. Underwood will continue to support the organization during a transitional phase. “NOTO’s growth and development the past several years has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Marty Schlossman, NOTO board chair-elect. “Following an extensive search process, the NOTO Board selected Pedro as the best candidate to lead the organization and the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District to the next level of development." Born in Mexico City and raised in Chicago, Concepcion established his roots in Topeka when he was recruited by Simon Bates to open The Burger Stand. He founded K.I.T. Solutions and played a key role in developing several popular eateries, including Brew Bank, The Pennant, Norsemen Brewery, The Tee Box and many more. In 2022, Concepcion became co-owner of The Wheel Barrel. “We each have our own journeys in our city,” said Concepcion. “Mine has been filled with ups and downs, but I have always seen Topeka as a city of opportunity. When I discovered NOTO, I fell in love with its diversity, inclusion, and uniqueness. To grow our city, we need to embrace every corner of it. As the new CEO of the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District, I aim to continue to grow our partnerships, build bridges and grow our beautiful district.”

FHLBank Topeka announced Philip Bacchus is its new chief financial officer starting Aug. 26. Bacchus was selected as part of a nationwide search for the position. “Phil has worked for several community financial institutions over his career,” said president and CEO Jeff Kuzbel. “He understands the importance of the Federal Home Loan Banks to institutions of all sizes. I know his financial experience will serve our cooperative and its members well.” Bacchus most recently worked for American Savings Bank in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he worked as senior vice president and treasurer since 2019 and had oversight of the bank's corporate funding, investment portfolio, mortgage sales, asset/liability management and planning functions. Before joining ASB, Bacchus held various positions in treasury and balance sheet management during his 10-year career at Capital One in McLean, Virginia, leaving as director and line of business CFO. He is a graduate of New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he majored in finance and international business. He also has an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and a Global Executive Masters from ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

Sunflower Foundation has welcomed two new members to its health philanthropic programming team, with the recent additions of Kelli Mark and Carlie Houchen as its new directors of Healthy Communities and Health Systems, respectively. Mark, who has worked for the foundation since October 2022 as grants and finance manager, started her new role July 1. Houchen, who comes to Sunflower after most recently holding a leadership role in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas’ Pathways to a Healthy Kansas community grant initiative, started July 8. Both directors will report to Elizabeth Burger, a longtime program officer for the foundation who recently was named senior vice president of programs and strategy. As director of Healthy Communities, Mark will spearhead the foundation’s work in food and nutrition security, as well as its Sunflower Trails program, which supports organizations and communities working to provide safe, accessible public trails and outdoor spaces where Kansans can reap the many health benefits of being more active and connecting with nature. Prior to joining the foundation, Mark spent five years in the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Family Health, working to improve maternal and child health across the state. While at the bureau, she served as a section chief, unit director and grants manager, before rising to bureau chief and director of administration and policy. She also spent a decade working for St. Francis Health Center, including five years as document control administrator and quality analyst. A native of Topeka, Mark has an associate of liberal studies from Barton Community College, a bachelor of science in Human Nutrition/Public Health from Kansas State University and a master of public administration from Wichita State University. As director of Health Systems, Houchen will oversee the foundation’s work across the state aimed at strengthening organizational capacity and investing in innovative strategies in the areas of behavioral health, public health and the primary care safety net. Originally from Miami County, Houchen earned a bachelor of science in human nutrition from Kansas State University and a master of public health from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She and her family live in Roeland Park.

Landmark National Bank announces the addition of Austin Crow as commercial banking officer. Crow is the newest member of Landmark’s commercial banking team in Topeka. Prior to joining Landmark, Crow was in Annuity Operations at Advisors Excel in Topeka. Austin is a Topeka native and a 2022 graduate from Washburn University. “I chose Landmark because of the opportunity to create meaningful relationships with clients and watch them accomplish their goals,” said Crow. In his spare time, Austin is an assistant basketball coach at Hayden High School. He also enjoys volunteering for such organizations as Let’s Help and Harvester’s.

Molly Pierson has been appointed as the dean of students at Park University . Pierson began her duties on July 25.As the dean of students, Pierson will collaborate with Park students, faculty and staff to ensure that student experiences align with the University’s vision, mission, core values and strategic plan priorities. Pierson will oversee residence life, student leadership and engagement, counseling, student conduct, crises and advocacy, new student and parent programs and the Park Student Government Association. Pierson previously served as the assistant dean of students and director of residential living at Washburn University in Topeka since 2021, supporting student conduct and on-campus housing. Pierson is working on a doctor of education degree in higher education administration from the University of Kansas and anticipates graduating by summer 2025.

Topeka-area hirings, promotions, retirements and other announcements can be emailed to iyb@cjonline.com .

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: It's Your Business has Pedro Concepcion, Philip Bacchus, Kelli Mark, Austin Crow