Excel executive to highlight “Leadership Gold” book in May’s “Those Who Lead, Read” series

Brent E. Edmisten, vice president of global supply chain, engineering and logistics at Excel Industries, Inc., will discuss the book “Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leading” at 7 p.m. May 11. The event is part of Friends University’s “Those Who Lead, Read” program, a monthly speaker series that engages students and the Wichita community in a timely discussion about literacy and leadership.

The event is free and open to the public and will take place at Edmund Stanley Library on the Friends University campus. Friends is hosting various leaders in 2017 to discuss their favorite books on leadership, faith or organizational change.

Edmisten will discuss John C. Maxwell’s book, “Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leading.” Each chapter from this 26-chapter book contains a “gold nugget” about leadership that has been “mined” by Maxwell after his nearly 40 years of leadership.

Prior to working for Excel Industries, Edmisten held executive leadership positions at Cessna Aircraft Co. and Hawker Beechcraft Corp. He has more than 20 years of industry leadership experience in program management, new product development, strategic sourcing, integrated supply chain strategies, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and supply chain management.

Edmisten is a 1996 graduate of Friends University with an Executive MBA. He also is a Textron Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, a Certified Purchasing Manager and an APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional.

Edmisten currently serves on various committees and boards, including the Research Strategies Committee for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, The University of Kansas Supply Chain Management Advisory Board, Main Place Youth Adolescent Girl’s Home Charity Committee and the Goodwill Industries of Kansas Board. Edmisten and his wife Debbie live in Wichita, Kan., and have a daughter and a son.

For more information about the event, contact david_carter@friends.edu or at 316-295-5552.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.