InterHab executive director to retire

Tom Laing, InterHab Executive Director

One of the state's largest human service advocacy groups, InterHab, announced today the beginning of its search process to choose a successor for their current executive director, Tom Laing. The group's goal is to secure a new executive director before mid-year, to bridge the transition in advance of Laing's September retirement. InterHab represents community based organizations that serve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

InterHab's Board President Lori Feldkamp of Manhattan commented on the coming staff change:

"We have valued Tom's leadership and advice during these past twenty plus years, and appreciate that he always encouraged us to maintain an optimistic view of the future of our state, and to find and encourage the positive voices among the elected statehouse leaders. He helped us embrace numerous opportunities and confront many challenges, reminding us that whatever the odds we should never give up on issues we believed to be important."

Laing has served as InterHab's executive director for more than 22 years. Prior to joining InterHab, he had served from 1984 to 1990 as the staff director for the Kansas House Democratic caucus, and from 1991 to 1992 as chief of staff for House Speaker  Marvin Barkis. With his retirement Laing will conclude a period of state government and statehouse activity spanning more than 30 years.