Thomas selected for prestigious Leadership Kansas program

Garver Director of Landscape Architecture Brent Thomas, PLA, AICP, ASLA, CPSI, has been chosen to participate in Leadership Kansas’ 2025 class. Started in 1979, Leadership Kansas is the second oldest statewide leadership program in the country. Designed to develop diverse, established leaders from all over Kansas, the program informs leaders about the state’s most pressing issues and provides a critical networking opportunity.

A graduate of Kansas State University with 27 years of landscape architecture experience, Thomas manages Garver’s landscape architecture practice, including business and marketing functions as well as staff development. When he joined Garver in 2017, landscape architecture was a new service for the firm. He has successfully grown the practice and now leads a six-person team that serves clients throughout Garver’s 22-state footprint.

Among his many design projects are a number of Wichita landmarks, including the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater at Exploration Place, the Eisenhower National Airport parking garage and rental car center, and the Cargill Protein Group headquarters.

Widely recognized as a leader in his field, Thomas is a committed member of professional organizations, including the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, and the American Planning Association, among others.

He is also a dedicated to the success of his community, as demonstrated by his current involvement in Wichita’s Parks Foundation, Arts Council, and Design Council. He has volunteered with a number of other community organizations as well. For example, he has participated on Exploration Place committees, supporting the growth of the science center and, by extension, the community’s next generation of scientists and engineers.

Thomas sees the Leadership Kansas program as a tremendous opportunity to learn more about the issues facing all areas of the state and connect with leaders who are making positive changes. “My goal is to make sure Kansas, specifically the Wichita area, is competitive among the other growing communities in the region and is a place where young professionals want to move to and raise families,” he said. “Planning for the future is within my area of expertise, and I want to better understand how my team and Garver can help strengthen Kansas and its communities.”