City of Derby

Ward I

Jim Craig
email
788-4449
Elected in 2005

A Derby resident since 1983, Jim Craig served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force and Kansas Air National Guard before taking a job with Boeing in 1987. After working in various management capacities, Craig retired from Boeing in 2003.

Craig attended UMKC for two years and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Baker University. He married Suzanne Farmer of Oakley, Kansas, during their senior year at Baker. He graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Master of Arts degree in psychology with emphasis in guidance and counseling.

During Craig’s 21 years in the military, he served a combat tour in Vietnam followed by a consecutive four-year overseas tour in Germany. He was stationed at various places throughout the U.S. and flew in the F4 Phantom for 17 years. He was a certified aircraft accident investigator for the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard.

Throughout his years living in Derby, he has been an active member of Pleasantview Baptist Church. He presently serves as deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member. He has served on the finance committee, personnel committee and as trustee. He has served as president of the Derby Kiwanis Club and is a current member on the club’s board of directors. He was also the team leader for the Keeping Derby Green Team.

Craig’s core government interest is to represent the people who elected him to the City Council. Investigative fact finding and process improvement methodologies are skills he hopes to utilize to ensure responsible government that is accountable to the taxpayers.

Craig is a supporter of Victory in the Valley, Botanica and the Wichita Symphony. Craig and Suzanne have one adult son, Jason.

Jim Meidinger
email
788-2717
Elected in 2007

Jim Meidinger was born and raised in Highland, Kansas. He is a graduate of Highland Community College and Northwest Missouri State University, where he received his degree in marketing.

Meidinger worked for Kimberly-Clark in United States Consumer Sales for 35 years. He is now retired.

Meidinger is a member of Pleasantview Baptist Church, American Legion Post #136 (Mulvane), American Legion - Patriot Guard, lifetime member of the U.S. and Kansas Jaycees and the Kansas Director for U.S. Specialty Sports Association.

Meidinger was elected to the City Council in 1982 and served until 1999 when he resigned. He was appointed by the City Council to fill Troy Wayman’s unexpired term in 2005, and in April 2007 he was elected to a four-year term.

Other areas of service include the Sedgwick County Council on Aging (4 year)s; the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Board (3 years); and the Derby Park Board (4 years).

His favorite issues include quality of life, controlled growth and development and parks and open space.

He is married to Barbara. The two have three sons and seven grandchildren between them.

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