Van Williams, spokesperson for the City of Wichita, joined local government in May 2005 after spending 16 years as an award-winning newspaper journalist at the Wichita Eagle where he was a college sportswriter, news editor, election editor and City Hall/investigative reporter.  He’s a native of Wichita who graduated from Wichita State University, where he also studied U.S. History in graduate school. Williams is a board member of the Kansas Health Institute; The Kansas African-American Museum; Real Men, Real Heroes, a youth-mentoring and tutoring organization, and Hard Hitters Youth Boxing Club. He has served several youth mentoring organizations, including the YMCA’s Black Achievers program, Consider Opportunities in a Professional Environment (C.O.P.E), and the Jabara Family’s VE²NTUREKIDS entrepreneurial program. He is a member of the Leadership Wichita 2007 class.

Lauragail Locke, Marketing Services Director

Prior to joining the City of Wichita in February of 2008, Lauragail worked as a reporter/substitute anchor for the local NBC affiliate, KSN News for five years. While at KSN she served as the City of Wichita/Sedgwick County government reporter. Lauragail also held the position of weekend anchor/reporter at the NBC affiliate in Topeka, KS. During her time as journalist she won first and second place awards for her reporting from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. She also spent a year at the local ABC affiliate, KAKE News as an assignment editor and graphics assistant. Lauragail is a graduate of Wichita State University and Butler County Community College.

Dale Goter, Government Relations Director

Prior to joining the City Manager staff in September 2006, Dale served 18 years as public affairs editor for KPTS, public television serving south-central Kansas. He hosted various public affairs television programs and created numerous documentaries and special public affairs programs with an emphasis on state government. Previously, he was the Statehouse correspondent for the Harris News Service and its seven member newspapers in Kansas. Earlier, he worked 8 years for the Salina Journal, covering all facets of local government.

Tyler Schiffelbein, City7 Producer

Prior to his position with the City of Wichita, Tyler was a photographer at KAKE-TV in Wichita, KS. While employed there he was responsible for shooting, editing, lighting, and live truck operation. He began his career in May of 2005 at KAKE’s bureau in Garden City, KS as an intern. In Oct. of 2005 he moved to Wichita and became a morning show video producer, and by Jan. of 2006 became a photographer. Tyler graduated from Full Sail Real World Education in Winter Park, FL with an Associates of Science in Film. There he worked on both 16mm and 35mm short films.

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