Andrea Chavez, Executive Director of Grants and Administration. Andrea grew up in Baldwin City, KS and got her master’s in Business Administration from Washburn University. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, watch KU football and basketball, and traveling. Her last trip she went to Jamaica for a week and spent time horseback riding, ATVing, and laying in the sun. She is a die-hard Green Bay Packers, and you can find her on Sundays watching and cheering on her team. Her favorite thing about working at Peaslee is that no day here is the same and she loves working with a diverse population. Since working here, she has been able to be more involved with the community.

Andrea.Chavez@peasleetech.org

Charlie Lauts, Enrollment Service Coordinator. Charlie has her Bachelor’s in Industrial Arts Education and her Master’s in Industrial Technology from Kearney State College in Nebraska. She grew up in Nebraska and is a farmer’s daughter. Every Sunday night, her and her family have a family zoom to catch up and hang out. In her free time, you can catch her gardening, riding her bike, golfing, or hanging out with her 2 boys, Devin and Ryan, and husband, Tom. She loves to cheer on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Royals, and the Chiefs. Before working at Peaslee Tech, she taught at Lawrence High School for 33 years as a shop and drafting teacher. She has been here for at Peaslee for 2.5 years and loves helping people find a forever career.

Charlie.Lauts@peasleetech.org

Kiah O’Quinn, Administrative Assistant. Kiah grew up in a military family and grew up moving around but calls St. Louis home. She went to Cosmetology school in Overland Park, Kansas and spent 4 years working as a stylist before the pandemic. She still loves to do cuts and colors for friends and family. In her free time, she loves to hang out with friends and family. She is a huge St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and KU fan (ROCK CHALK). Her husband, Conner, has also converted her into a Dallas Cowboys fan but don’t worry her first team will always be the KC Chiefs. She loves to binge watch shows with her husband like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and any crazy documentaries. She has been at Peaslee for 2.5 years now and loves the people she works with and seeing people gain knowledge to a new career and all the resources Peaslee has to offer.

Kiah.Oquinn@peasleetech.org

Elijah Houston, Facilities Maintenance Technician. Elijah went through the Facilities Maintenance program through Peaslee last year and is now a full time employee. Elijah is Richard’s right hand man at Peaslee Tech, from mowing the lawn to fixing the sinks, he’s the guy for the job. In his free time, he likes to drive his car and hang out with his American Bulldog/Lab mix, Lucy. His favorite dessert is peach cobbler and his favorite thing at Peaslee Tech is that every day is different and he gets to do a wide range of things here.

Elijah.Houston@peasleetech.org

Richard Easter, Building and Maintenance Operator. Richard is the jack of all trades, whether it’s fixing the trucks or building a house, he can do it all. He grew up in Oklahoma where he met his wife, Iona, of 61 years. They have two boys and three grandchildren, which keeps him busy. He worked in the retail industry for 40+ years, where he owned and operated 4 stores. In his free time, he likes to work in his workshop and make homemade bowls crafted from trees. He has been at Peaslee from the very start.

Richard.Easter@peasleetech.org

Scott Wilhite, Professional Driving Program Coordinator. Scott was previously a CDL instructor at Johnson County Community College before he came to Peaslee Tech. He has been a CDL instructor for about 10 years now. He grew up in Baldwin City, Kansas. In his free time, he likes to hang out on his family farm with his wife, Lacey, and his 3 kids. When he’s not at Peaslee, you can find him at the rodeo with the family. Scott is a KState and Kansas City Chiefs fan and will be cheering them on during football season.

Scott.Wilhite@peasleetech.org

Dave Robb, Janitorial Staff. Dave grew up in Lawrence, KS and has never moved out of his hometown. He calls himself a local townie and loves everything about Lawrence. In his free time and when the weather is nice he likes to walk on the local trails and Mass Street. He is a big KU and Kansas City Chiefs fan and will cheer for them whenever he gets the chance. He has been in the janitorial industry for 20+ years now and has been at Peaslee for 4 years. He loves to help people and can get along with anyone who comes his way. Whenever you see Dave, he’s got a big smile on his face.

David.Robb.Peaslee@gmail.com

Pat Andre, SER Participant. Pat is part of the SER National Program, it provides mature participants with training opportunities to update their skills in the workforce. Pat has been at Peaslee for about 3 and a half years. In her free time, she loves to be in the garden and has a huge green thumb. She also loves to read books on a cloudy overcast day. She loves all types of animals and insects and has never met an animal she doesn’t like.

Pat.Andre@peasleetech.org