Meet The Committee to Elect Thomas Palenske

Tom graduatedTopeka West High School (1986).

He enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1986 and served as a UH-1H (Huey) crew chief/ door gunner.

He graduated the Warrant Officer Entry Course in 1987 and was promoted to Warrant Officer One in 1988. Subsequently, he served as a UH-1H instructor pilot and UH-60 pilot until 1995.

Tom worked as a laborer and then a supervisor at the GoodYear Tire manufacturing plant in Topeka Kansas from 1988 to 1992.

He then worked at the Payless Distribution Center in Topeka Kansas from 1992 to 1995.

Tom Graduated Friends University in 1995 with a BS in Human Resource Management.

Additionally, in 1995 he graduated the USAF Officer Training School and was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. Tom was assigned to the 55th Special Operations Squadron flying MH-60G PAVEHAWK for Air Force Special Operations Command.

Tom deployed extensively throughout his Air Force career flying the MH-60G PAVEHAWK, MH-53J/M and CV-22 Osprey in combat.

He commanded the 20th Special Operations Squadron (Cannon AFB, NM), the 1st Special Operations Wing (Hurlburt Field, FL) and the 36 WG (Guam).

Tom was promoted to Brigadier General in 2020 and retired after serving as the Wing Commander of the 36 WG, Andersen AFB, Guam in 2025 to Olathe KS.

Prior to retiring he opened a HTeaO franchise in Raymore, MO employing 30 people.

Since retiring, he has started a consulting business, Modern Warfare Solutions and a Crop Spraying company, AgForce Drone Services.

On 18 February 2026, Tom sent an email to his State Legislature Representative, The Honorable John Resman asking how he could best serve the Kansas Republican Party.

On 23 February John set a meeting with Tom at the Starbucks on Parker and they talked for about an hour and a half.

John asked Tom if he would consider running for his seat in November. Tom said, if that is where you think I could of best service to the Republican Party of Kansas, then yes I would.

John then invited Tom to the Capital Building in Topeka and introduced him to the Republican Caucus in the Legislature on 25 February.

On 2 March John left us to be with Lord. May he rest in peace,🙏

I did not expect to be doing this, but I will not deny a great American like John his last request of me.