Meet the Chamber Board: John Terry

John serves as the Mayor of Galesburg, where he lives with his wife and three children. While Galesburg is home, John and his family spend a huge amount of their time right here in Parsons—whether it’s for local shopping, recreation, kids' sports, or date nights!

Professionally, John is the Community Relations Manager for IdeaTek, a Kansas-based fiber-optic internet provider currently bringing high-speed infrastructure to Parsons and Baxter Springs with plans for further expansion across Southeast Kansas. In his role, John works directly with community builders, stakeholders, and public officials across the state. He brings that experience to our board on three key fronts:

• Connecting Communities: Expanding access to underserved areas while actively sponsoring and participating in local activities that keep IdeaTek rooted in the towns they serve.

• Bringing Fresh Solutions to SEK: Learning from other Kansas communities facing similar challenges and bringing back scalable ideas to help advance our region.

• Highlighting Local Potential: Promoting hidden opportunities in our area and encouraging investment in initiatives that elevate our entire community.

In addition to serving on our board, John also serves on the board of the Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce. He is deeply passionate about serving Parsons' business, non-profit, and civic community, and believes our town has tremendous untapped potential.

When he isn't busy working or serving the community, John loves spending time outdoors, restoring native prairie, and following competitive sports. He is also an avid music lover with a vast collection of vinyl records!

We are so grateful for John’s leadership, vision, and dedication to helping Parsons grow and thrive.