Empowering Community Growth
Heart of Moline Kansas Foundation
Join us in our mission to enhance the lives of Moline residents through impactful community projects and initiatives.
Our Mission and Vision
The Heart of Moline Kansas Foundation is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and supportive community in Moline, KS. Our mission is to create opportunities for growth and development by supporting local projects that improve the quality of life for all residents. We envision a future where every community member has access to the resources they need to thrive. Our team is committed to transparency, collaboration, and sustainable development to ensure long-lasting positive impacts.
Our Guiding Principles
Core Values
At the Heart of Moline Kansas Foundation, our core values are the cornerstone of our mission to uplift and empower the community. We believe in integrity, transparency, and collaboration. Our commitment to these values ensures that every initiative we undertake is focused on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all residents of Moline. We strive to create lasting change by working hand in hand with community members to address local needs and opportunities.
Meet Our Board Members
Andy Cooke
Andy Cooke’s story begins in Wichita, Kansas, where he grew up as the tenth of twelve children—an upbringing that taught him teamwork, responsibility, and the value of community. In 2020, he and his wife settled in Moline with their dogs, choosing to put down roots near her family in Belknap. Since then, Andy has become an active and familiar presence in the community. He serves on the St. Mary’s Parish Council, volunteers as a firefighter, and contributes his voice and leadership as a city council member. With a career spent managing people in service‑driven roles since he was sixteen, Andy brings both experience and heart to everything he does. Outside of his commitments, he enjoys morning runs, time outdoors, and gathering with family and friends.
Brandon Wolfe
Brandon Wolfe’s roots in Moline run deep, tracing back to the late 1800s when his mother’s family, the Manns, first settled in the area. Born in March of 1997 to Rob and Debbie Wolfe, Brandon is a proud lifelong resident. His mother has spent her entire life in Moline, while his father was raised in nearby Grenola, further solidifying Brandon’s ties to the region.
Growing up, Brandon’s childhood was defined by the freedom of his hometown. He was part of one of the final classes to attend Moline Elementary from PK–6, and he spent countless hours exploring the town on his bicycle, fishing at Wildcat Creek, and hanging out at the fire station. It was there that his father, Rob, eventually took over as City Fire Chief following the late Tom Mills. Inspired by that legacy of service, Brandon joined the fire department himself while still a student at West Elk High School, from which he graduated in 2015.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Wichita State University in 2019, Brandon returned home to Moline with his wife to start their own family. As an independent Wellsite Geologist, he continues the family tradition of oilfield work, collaborating with his father while building his own operations and wells.
Today, Brandon and his wife are raising their three children in the same community that shaped him. In 2025, driven by a desire to preserve Moline’s heritage for the next generation, Brandon helped establish the Heart of Moline Kansas Foundation. As a founding and active member, he is dedicated to ensuring that the town his family has called home for over a century continues to be a vibrant place to live and grow.
Diane Cucar
Diane Cucar is a proud fifth-generation Moline resident, where generations of her family have lived, worked, and called home. Raised on a ranch by her parents, Mike and Cindy Dixon, her roots in the community run deep.
She holds degrees from Southwestern College and the University of Kansas Medical Center. After meeting her husband, Damian, in Olathe and working in larger communities, Diane returned home in 2013 to raise her family. She is a proud mom to Noah and twins Nate and Grace.
Diane serves as Director of the Moline Public Library, where she has led the library to national recognition as a certified Family Place Library and developed award-winning community programming, including Library Day at the School. She has presented at both national and Kansas library conferences, advocating for the strength and innovation of small rural libraries.
She also serves as Elk County’s Community Development and Business Resources Director, supporting local growth, partnerships, and community-focused projects across the county.
Diane is actively involved as a Moline City Council member, 4-H leader, Chamber member, and co-founder of Feed Elk County. She is passionate about strengthening connections and helping Moline continue to grow.
Leroy Malone
Leroy Malone was raised on a farm south of Moline, in Belknap, for his first 18 years. After high school, he attended Emporia State University one year, then transferred to Washburn University, where he completed a business degree in 1975. While attending Washburn, he worked for UPS and continued working there until 1977. After leaving UPS, he was in the hospitality and entertainment business in Topeka, KS. He was owner/operator of these businesses until 1985. After selling, he worked for Ruan Transport of Des Moines, Iowa, at their Lawrence,KS facility as terminal manager. Over the next several years, Leroy worked for various trucking companies in the Topeka, Kansas City, and Salina area. While in Topeka, Leroy and his wife raised four children. After moving back to Moline in 2008, Leroy ran a handyman service for several years before being employed in maintenance by the Howard Housing Authority, later retiring in 2018. Leroy married Wanda Mills in 2015 and they reside in rural Moline. Most of Leroy's free time is spent chasing grandkids at their sporting events.
Melissa Triboulet
Melissa (Bell) Triboulet has deep roots in Chautauqua and Elk County, having grown up in the Belknap community. She graduated from Sedan High School in 2003 and went on to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.
During her college years, Melissa met Thad Triboulet, a fellow small-town native. The two fell in love and were married in 2007. Together, they chose to build their life in Moline, raising their two children in the same close-knit community that shaped their own upbringing.
Melissa is a registered nurse with a specialty in cardiovascular care. While her passion lies in this field, she has dedicated much of her career to serving her local community. She worked as a home health nurse while her children were younger and currently serves as the school nurse at West Elk School, where her children attend. To maintain her acute care skills, she also works PRN at Jane Phillips Hospital in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Outside of her professional life, Melissa’s greatest joy is supporting her children in all their activities. She also enjoys music, hiking, running, teaching Sunday mornings at Howard First Baptist Church, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Mike Mills
Mike Mills is a lifelong resident and dedicated community leader who has served as mayor for more than twenty-five years. He has also contributed over fifteen years of service on the local school board. As a local propane business owner and farmer, Mike understands the values of hard work, reliability, and service. A devoted husband, father, and proud Papa, he is also a volunteer firefighter committed to the safety and well-being of his neighbors. Through decades of leadership and hands-on involvement, Mike has played a vital role in supporting and strengthening the community he proudly calls home.
Tisha McNown
Tisha McNown is the owner and operator of Backroad Bakery, located just outside of Moline.
She was born and raised in Moline and has been blessed to raise her own family here as well; at one point, even having five generations of family living in town. She is married to Dewayne, and they have three grown children: Nile, Danny, and Rebekah. Her spare time is spent fishing, gardening, and volunteering. She is deeply invested in her community and is committed to putting in the hard work necessary to help it thrive.
Van Coble
Van was born December 27, 1954 and moved to Moline in 1956 with his parents Glenn and Joyce Coble after spending about the first year and a half on a farm north of Severy, KS. He was a member of the first kindergarten class in Moline in the fall of 1959. He graduated high school in May of 1972. He attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK graduating in 1977 with a degree in pharmacy. At Southwestern he met his wife of 50 years, Jeannette. They were married December 28, 1975. Van worked in many different areas of pharmacy before opening his own pharmacy in Winfield, KS December of 1993. He was owner of this pharmacy for almost 24 years before selling it in July 2017. He continued to work through March 2018 before retiring from day to day pharmacy work. Van and Jeannette built a house east of Moline and moved to Moline in June 2019. Van still works occasional relief at Batsons Drug in Howard and has maintained his pharmacy advocacy work since his retirement traveling to Topeka and Washington DC. He spends as much time outdoors as possible after being cooped up indoors his whole work career. Fishing is his passion and spends as much time possible chasing that passion.
Wanda Mills-Malone
Wanda Mills-Malone, a lifetime resident of Elk County, graduated from Moline High School with the class of 1969. She was married to Tom Mills and together they raised three children: Shawn, Chelise, and Stephanie. The couple owned Mills Feed and Supply. Following Tom's death in 2004, Wanda and family continue to operate the business. Wanda was a hairstylist in Elk County for 51 years, retiring in 2020. She is married to Leroy Malone and they reside in rural Moline. Wanda is a member of the Elk Falls Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, Elk County Community Foundation and currently serves as president of Heart of Moline KS Foundation. Her favorite pastime is keeping up with ALL their grandkids!!