Mark Nutsch - Featured Speaker
Mark Nutsch—a native Flint Hills Kansan, also known as Mitch Nelson portrayed by Chris Hemsworth— in the 2018, motion picture, 12 Strong, led one of the most successful unconventional warfare campaigns in modern history. Mark served in the Army as a Ranger Regiment and Special Forces officer, deploying on multiple combat tours.
In October 2001, weeks after 9/11, Mark led a heroic 12-man U.S. Army Special Forces team, ODA-595, into Afghanistan. Riding into battle on horseback, they united Afghan allies to liberate Mazar-i-Sharif and strike a decisive strategic blow against the Taliban regime and al-Qaida terrorists.
Mark’s story and team have since been featured in 12 Strong, the documentary film Legion of Brothers, and in the recent Paramount Plus docuseries Special Operations True in several seasons and episodes. With his teammates, he has co-authored their book Swords of Lightning, a #1 new release on Amazon and numerous other professional publications. Their mission inspired the America’s Response Monument overlooking the National 9/11 Memorial in New York City. A Horse Soldier Monument also proudly sits in front of the Courthouse in Washington County, Kansas.
Beyond military service, he co-founded American Freedom Distillery, maker of double gold award winning Horse Soldier Bourbons. He and his teammates, co-founded, Badger Six, a non-profit which supports their team’s Afghan allies and their families. He also supports veterans through the Kansas nonprofit War Horses for Veterans and competes in its War Horse Challenge, reining cow horse competitions in Las Vegas and Fort Worth. He advises the Grey Bull Rescue team, saving American’s and allies in conflict regions and disaster areas where government or traditional aid cannot reach. He served as Honorary Chairman of the Flint Hills Discovery Center and Foundation’s Next Vistas Campaign, receiving the “Friend of the Flint Hills” award. The Kansas Society of Washington DC recently named Mark as the 2026 Kansan of the Year.
Kansas Land Improvement Contractors Association
75 Years of Helping People Help the Land! Dirt Work Done Right!
Members lost in 2026
Glenn Charles Rockers February 26, 1942 - March 29, 2026
Glenn Charles Rockers passed away March 29, 2026. Glenn was owner/operator of Rockers Excavating, Baldwin City, KS. Glenn was 1984 Contractor of the Year, President of KLICA in 1994 and was recognized with a KLICA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
Glenn is survived by a son, Nicholas “Nick” Rockers of Lawrence, KS; a daughter, Sherri Zerr and her husband, Darren, of Baldwin City, KS; a brother, Raymond Rockers of California; and a sister, Gloria Beach and, Joe of Lawrence, KS. Inurnment was at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Baldwin City, KS.
Margery Jo Bayer January 7, 1925 - April 11, 2026
Margery Jo Bayer passed away April 11, 2026 at the age of 101. Margery was the wife of the late Burke Bayer, Bayer Construction Company, Manhattan, KS. Bayer Construction Co. was one of the original members of KLICA. Margery was the 1990 KLICA Lady of the Year.
Margery is survived by her children, Dana Bayer and Becky (Bayer) Tadtman, her nine grandchildren: Jason Bayer and wife Jackie, Christy (Bayer) Graessle, Derrick Miller, Allen Miller, Matt Miller and wife Allison, Mitchell Miller, Andrew Miller, Brian Tadtman and wife Kat, Kevin Tadtman and wife Sarah; her 11 great grandchildren; Britney (Bayer) Grijalvas and husband Kobe, Bradley Bayer, Kiernan Graessle, Max Miller, Burke Miller, Reid Miller, Stephen Tadtman, Teddy Tadtman, Birdie Tadtman, Beckett Tadtman, Blair Tadtman. Interment was at the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
Nora Jean Lietz May 28, 1928 - Sept. 5, 2026
Nora Jean Lietz May 28, 1928 - Sept. 5, 2026
Nora Jean Lietz passed away September 5, 2026. Nora was the wife of Merle Lietz, Lietz Construction Company, Paxico, KS. Nora was the 2001 KLICA Lady of the Year. Nora is survived by her three daughters, Sheryl (David) Meier, Maple Hill; Jean Anne Lietz, Topeka; and Linda (Tom) Stanton of Hutchinson. Grandchildren: Cara (John) Brooks, Carisa Meier, Peter (Megan) Meier, Mendy (Jason) Brady, Rebecca (Jared) Wolfe, Nathan (Autumn) Stanton; great-grandchildren: Kylie (Jakob) Jasperson, Joshua Brooks, Liam Meier, Brecklyn Meier, Makayla Brady, Mason Brady, Walker Stanton, Hayden Stanton, Logan VanMeter, and soon to arrive Baby Stanton. Nora was buried at Bethlehem Cemetery, east of Paxico.
2026 Fort Hays Tech North Central Scholarship Reception
Irene Loflin Scholarship
Kaden Friess
John Loflin Memorial Scholarship
Brody Byers
KLICA Endowment Scholarship
Kyler Rahmeier
Who We Are
Who we are
KLICA is a non-profit association made up of conservation contractors and landscapers who promote quality work in land and resource protection across the state of Kansas.
What's in it for me?
LICA has numerous benefits for their contractor members. They can be found on the website link below. But the biggest benefit to members is the opportunity to meet, trade ideas and concerns with, and socialize with other contractors across the state and around the nation. At meetings you'll hear from state agencies, financial management professionals, and others who can help you improve your business and plan for the future.
KLICA Contractor Locations
This map shows where our KLICA Contractors are located. If you need a contractor, you can look at this map to see where the closest one to you is located. Let me know and I'll provide you their names and contact information or if you have a KLICA Directory you can look them up yourself.