I grew up on a farm just north of Ellis on the Trego County line. In the 1870s, my ancestors immigrated to Kansas from the Volga River area of Russia. The Wiesners and Leikers came to western Kansas to farm. My dad and mom, Roman and Freda, live on this farm. I have bunch of siblings (we are all close). My six brothers and sisters make me proud - a college professor, RN, farmer, H&R Block preparer, CFO, and physician.
Education
All of my education came from Kansas schools. In 1974, I graduated from Ellis High School. Prior to that, I had eight years of Catholic education at St. Mary’s Grade School. I received an Associate in Arts Degree, Colby Community College; a Bachelor of Science in Business (Accounting Major), Fort Hays State University; a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Fort Hays State University; a Master of Business Administration, Fort Hays State University; and a law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. Fort Hays prepared me to take and pass the CPA exam and to get into KU law school. After law school, I passed the Kansas and Missouri bar exams.
Professional Experience
I operated a CPA practice in Hays until I started law school in 1989. A local firm took over my clients and employees. After law school, I opened a law practice in Overland Park. Today, my law partner, Drew Frackowiak, and I operate a tax, bankruptcy, and business law practice. Our service area is primarily in eastern Kansas and the Kansas City metro area. We solve tax and debt problems. I have the honor of working with judges, assistant US Attorneys, US Department of Justice lawyers, bankruptcy Trustees, and Internal Revenue Service Revenue Officers and Agents (contrary to current mouthing-off by politicians, these men and women are true professionals). I live and work in Kansas. I practice in Kansas and Missouri.
Military Background
I am also an Army reserve lawyer and have finished two long tours in Iraq. My recently completed deployment involved writing legal opinions on United States Forces - Iraq requests to spend appropriated funds on operations and construction. In my first deployment, I wrote legal opinions on Army requests to use the Iraqi Security Forces Fund to train and equip the Iraqi army, police, and border patrol. (I am presently not on active duty. The mention of military rank and job title does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense).
Children
I have two college graduates; a son, Frank (computer science, works in the aircraft industry), and a daughter, Stephanie (finance, pharmaceutical sales). I have experienced the full range of emotions with these kids ("Dad, Cessna called and wants to know if I can start work on June 4;" "Dad, I accidently put a barrette on the cat's tail;" "I thought we had unlimited texting;" and "You're not going to believe this but the overdraft was not my fault").
