The Board of Directors
Meet Our Team
Kiernan McCarty,
President
he/him/his
Kiernan McCarty is the President of Hays Pride's Board of Directors. He graduated with a BFA in Studio Art from Fort Hays State University, where he also earned certificates in Community Engaged Arts and Building a Nonprofit Career. Kiernan has been an active member in his local GSA since high school and served as president and vice president of FHSU's GSA during the last three years of his undergraduate degree. Kiernan is also a proud Fellow Alumni of the Kansas statewide civic organization Loud Light.
Arvin Cruz,
Vice President & Acting Treasurer
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Arvin J. Cruz, a.k.a. A.J., is the Vice President and acting treasurer of Hays Pride. He serves as a professor and is chair of the FHSU Chemistry Department. His specialization is in physical and inorganic chemistry. His research area is in photophysical and electrochemical characterization of transition metal complexes as photosensitizer-dyes for photovoltaic applications. His professional affiliations include serving as chair of the American Chemical Society (ACS) – Wichita Local Section, member of the ACS-Midwest Regional Board, and Associate Editor of the American Journal of Applied Sciences. He has been a board member of the Filipino-American Association of Greater Wichita (FAAGW) since 2023 and served as Print Traffic Director of the Wichita Tallgrass Film Festival (TFF) from 2007 until 2014. He continues to volunteer for the TFF programming committee and occasionally serves as Venue Manager during the film festival.
Jessica Reynolds, Secretary
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Jessica Reynolds is the Secretary of Hays Pride. She is the former Library Director of the Russell Public Library and currently works as an Admissions Counselor and Recruiter in the Graduate School at Fort Hays State University.
Anniston Weber,
Social Media Coordinator
she/her/hers
Anniston Weber is the Social Media Coordinator of Hays Pride. She is an advocate at Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, specializing in sexual assault support and outreach. Beyond her professional role, Anniston is deeply committed to community advocacy. Her topics of passion include abortion access, transgender rights, and diversity and inclusion. Anniston is also a board member for The 802 United and The Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence.
Ross Arreguin,
Member at Large
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Ross Arreguin is the supported employment team lead at High Plains Mental Health Center. Through his professional role, he has found and shared useful resources with colleagues as well as with community organizations that could benefit from them.
Allison Bannister, Member at Large
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Allison Bannister is a member-at-large of Hays Pride. She is a cartoonist who works on independent and small press comics and studies comics and rhetoric. She teaches writing in the Department of English and Modern Languages at Fort Hays State University.
Ben Houchen,
Member at Large
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Ben Houchen is the Priest at the Episcopal Churches in Hays, as well as the Director of Feeding Hays, a food and resources service in town. He is also an active and vocal advocate for marginalized communities. Ben is the proud dad to some amazing queer kids, and through them and this community he is learning how to be a better ally every day.
G.G. Launchbaugh, Member at Large
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G.G. Launchbaugh is a staff member of the Science and Mathematics Education Institute at Fort Hays State University, where he directs campus and community science outreach though the Fort Hays State University Makerspace and statewide outreach with the FHSU Makervan.
Our Annual Reports are now available. We invite all community members, partners, and stakeholders to download the reports from our website to learn more about our progress, governance, and priorities for the year ahead. Your engagement helps strengthen our shared commitment to transparency and accountability.