NACD Heartland Announces 2026 Board Leadership and Welcomes Incoming Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NACD Heartland Announces New Board Leadership and Welcomes Incoming Board Members

Kansas City, MO — January 30, 2026   The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Heartland Chapter is pleased to announce its new board leadership for the upcoming term, along with the election of six new members to its Board of Directors. Together, these leaders bring deep experience in governance, executive leadership, finance, legal, and risk oversight to advance NACD Heartland’s mission of strengthening board effectiveness across the region.

David Komar, NACD.DC, has been elected Board Chair, and Rick Winston has been elected Vice Chair of the NACD Heartland Board of Directors. In these roles, they will help guide the Chapter’s strategic direction, programming, and member engagement.

“We are excited to welcome this exceptional group of leaders to the board and to recognize David and Rick in their new leadership roles,” said Karen Neal, Executive Director of NACD Heartland. “Their collective expertise and commitment to governance excellence will be invaluable as we continue to support directors navigating an increasingly complex business environment.”

New Board Leadership

David Komar, NACD.DC — Board Chair
David Komar is President of EDA, Inc., where he leads strategy, operations, and technology initiatives. A retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, Komar also founded Culture Guide and has spent more than three decades guiding leadership development, organizational culture, and strategic transformation across public and private organizations.

Richard Winston — Vice Chair
Richard Winston is Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Fike Corporation, a global leader in explosion protection, pressure relief, and industrial fire-safety solutions. With more than 25 years of executive legal experience, he oversees corporate governance, enterprise risk management, cybersecurity and privacy, compliance, and mergers and acquisitions, and serves on several civic and nonprofit boards in the Kansas City region.

Board Officers and Committee Leadership

In addition, the NACD Heartland Board confirmed the election of the following officers and committee chairs for the upcoming term:

·        Christine Pierson – Immediate Past Chair

·        Chris Shirling – Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

·        Kirstin Salzman – Nominating & Governance Committee Chair

·        Linda Hanson – Sponsorship Committee Chair

·        Deana Werkowitch – Programs & Member Engagement Committee Chair

·        Suzanna de Baca – Market Support & Expansion Committee Chair

·        Karen Neal – Secretary (non-voting)

New Board Members

Edward Bartak, NACD.DC — Director
Edward Bartak is a Partner and Tax Location Leader at RSM US LLP’s Kansas City office, specializing in tax planning, business consulting, mergers and acquisitions, and estate planning. With more than 30 years of experience, he previously served as chair of RSM’s board of directors and its finance and mergers committees.

Samuel Combs III — Director
Samuel Combs III brings more than 30 years of executive and governance experience across the energy, banking, healthcare, and investment sectors. He previously served as President of ONEOK Distribution Companies and is the founder of an advisory and investment firm focused on strategic growth and governance.

Lorin Crenshaw — Director
Lorin Crenshaw brings nearly three decades of global finance and capital markets experience, including serving as chief financial officer for multiple publicly traded industrial companies. His expertise spans financial strategy, investor relations, risk management, and audit committee service at the public-company level.

Susan Escher — Director
Susan Escher is Chief Executive Officer of Symphony Financial Group and has more than 30 years of experience in executive finance, operations, and product development. She has served as COO and CFO for technology-focused organizations and brings a strong background in strategic leadership and board service.

Jamie Herbert, NACD.DC — Director
Jamie Herbert has more than 25 years of experience in finance, human resources, and operational leadership across public and private companies. He serves as Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior IT Officer at Green Plains Inc. and is an experienced board member with a focus on governance, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness.

William “Trey” Humphrey — Director
Trey Humphrey is Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary of Lockton Companies. He oversees global legal, compliance, and governance functions and has played a key role in major strategic initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions and enterprise risk management. Humphrey brings deep expertise in corporate governance, legal strategy, and supporting growth in complex, highly regulated environments.

These appointments reflect NACD Heartland’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality governance education, thought leadership, and peer connection for directors across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

About NACD Heartland

The NACD Heartland Chapter is part of the National Association of Corporate Directors and serves directors and governance professionals throughout the Heartland region. The Chapter provides education, resources, and a strong peer network to support exemplary board leadership and governance practices.