Dr. Welle Recognized As Citizen Of The Year

​     Each year, mayors from each eastern Jackson County community select a Citizen of the Year to be honored at the Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Toast of the Towns Gala held in September. This year, Grain Valley Mayor Mike Todd has selected Dr. Brad Welle in honor of the profound impact he has made in Grain Valley and in the lives of students across Eastern Jackson County. Welle is the Deputy Superintendent of Schools for Grain Valley Schools, but his passion for education and the community go far beyond his work. 
     “Dr. Welle is the epitome of what you look for in a citizen of the year.  When we were putting his bio together to list all the organizations and events that he is part of, we kept having to go back because we would remember something we missed.  I’m still not 100% sure that we got everything down, because you will be at an event and say, ‘Oh that’s right, Dr. Welle sits on this board’.  He is extremely active when it comes to improving the quality of life for the youth in our community.  We are extremely lucky to have him as part of Grain Valley,” Mayor Mike Todd said.
     In 2018, Welle received the Mary Strack Community Advocate Award for his instrumental role with Bright Futures Grain Valley, a network of more than 1,200 regional businesses, civic and faith-based groups and individuals who work together to respond to the basic needs of children in Grain Valley. Under his leadership, Bright Futures served approximately 300 students in the last school year.
     Welle is an avid volunteer. He serves on the board of both Kansas City Young Audiences and Eastern Jackson County Youth Court, is on the steering committee of Grain Valley Youth Engagement Services, and is the President of the Grain Valley Parks Board.  
     Brad also volunteers with the Grain Valley Assistance Council and serves lunch at the monthly community senior citizens’ luncheon.
     Welle and his wife, Karen, have been married for 24 years and have two children, Brooke and Logan.
     The 24th Annual Toast to Our Towns Gala will be held on September 28, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Tickets for the Gala can be purchased at www.thcf.org/Gala.
 

Dr. Brad Welle was named Citizen of the Year for Grain Valley by Mayor Mike Todd. Photo credit: THCF