By Matt Browning
Michelle Kuhns, who is the Vice President of the Central Region of Hellas Construction, has spent her entire career influencing the high school sports scene in the Wichita area.
Kuhns began her working in the Wichita Public School District in 1993, which ultimately led her to being an Athletic Director – a job she found to be particularly rewarding.
“Being an Athletic Director was a great job for me, I loved it,” Kuhns said. “I had the ability to have a direct impact on student athletes and their high school experience. Extra-Curricular activities are the best programs for student retention in America. If students have a reason to come to school they will. Students don’t wake up in the morning and get dressed for school because they have another test; they come because of the connections made at their schools. Sports were always mine. Working with coaches was a highlight, also. I wanted to be someone that was there for them with questions/concerns/new ideas and how to make them better at their craft.”
While Kuhns always believed she would retire from education, she knew she would still be involved with sports after retirement. So while she did not retire from education, the Hellas opportunity was too good to pass up.
Originally based out of Austin, Texas, Hellas was founded in 2003 and is now the official turf provider for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texas, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Raiders.
“Hellas Construction was our choice for the 2008 bond athletic projects and I have continued to stay in touch with the CEO Reed Seaton,” Kuhns said. “A few opportunities came about throughout the years for me to help with tours and references for other projects. I loved it. I was hooked and when the right time came for a move I took it. The decision was tough but by far the best decision for me.”
Hellas has been a fixture in the high school and college sports scene for many years. They have installed turf fields at all USD 259 schools, Goddard Public Schools, Andover Public Schools and many more high schools.
On the collegiate level, Hellas has installed fields at Bethel, Fort Hays State, Kansas Wesleyan and Wichita State baseball. And recently Hellas installed turf at the practice field for the 2020 Super Bowl Kansas City Chiefs.
How did Kuhns and Hellas seal the deal with the Chiefs?
“Perseverance and being the best in the industry,” Kuhns said. “The players were asked and the Chiefs Administration listened.”
Kuhns has made a commitment to the Wichita-area sports scene for over three decades and her continued involvement with Hellas will only leave more of her handprints on facilities for years to come.
“I love still being involved with schools and student/athletes,” Kuhns said. “Building the safest, highest quality fields are a privilege.”
