For many in Great Bend, the face of Sunflower Diversified Services is a man who rarely “turns it off,” even when he is off the clock. Whether he is balancing a broom on his face to make people laugh or carrying a pocketful of raffle tickets to a community gathering, Cody Harris has become synonymous with the organization he serves.

Harris, known for his “can-do” attitude and his inability to stay quiet in a library, was named the 2025 NextGen Leader of the Year by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. He joined Business of the Year Stueder Contractors Inc., Citizen of the Year Nancy Sundahl and Legacy Award recipient Mark Calcara as an honoree during the chamber’s 104th annual awards banquet Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center.

“He has a personality to him,” his wife, Maggie, said. “He likes to be, you know, kind of in the spotlight in a serious capacity. He likes to have a good time while he’s doing the work that matters, and make sure other people have a good time too.”

Sonya Rein, who nominated Harris for the award, said he “puts the ‘fun’ into fundraising” and is a leader always willing to try new things.

Harris serves as the director of planned giving and community support at Sunflower Diversified Services, where his primary focus is fundraising and public relations, as well as community employment for the clients. It is a role, he says brings him immense excitement, particularly “seeing their faces when they get hired.”

Beyond his professional work, Harris is a fixture in the Great Bend community. He is serving his third term as a chamber ambassador, is president of the Noon Lions Club, spends his free time coaching youth sports for the Great Bend Recreation Commission and is currently serving on the board for the Great Bend Zoological Society

The NextGen Leader of the Year Award recognizes young professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision and a generous community spirit. Harris, a self-described “man of many obscure talents” including juggling, exemplifies the high standard of social responsibility the award seeks to honor.

Harris’ journey to leadership began in Deerfield, a small town 20 miles west of Garden City, where he was born and raised. While studying at Fort Hays State University, Harris took a job as a primary caretaker for a man with an intellectual disability. The two became close friends, navigating the quiet rhythms of daily life together, from grocery shopping to doctor’s appointments.

That experience, coupled with having a sister who also has an intellectual disability, solidified his calling. In 2013, Harris moved to Great Bend and married Maggie. He started at Sunflower as a direct-care provider, working his way through job guidance into his current role as a lead fundraiser.

He has since modernized the organization’s outreach, introducing the annual Turkey Trot and a biennial car raffle alongside staple events like the pancake feed and the annual gala. A significant part of his mission involves advocating for adult clients, a group that often sees less donor interest than children’s programs. Maggie said her husband is driven by a desire to provide these individuals with a life as close to “normal” as possible.

“He’s a very outgoing person and a leader by nature, I think, but he’s really jumped into that in the last several years,” she said. “He probably would not say he’s a leader by nature, but I think most people around him would disagree with that. His personality just comes out when he’s speaking to a room, especially if he’s passionate about the topic.”

That passion extends beyond the walls of Sunflower. Despite being “implants” in Great Bend - Maggie originally hails from Dodge City - the couple has made a deliberate effort to embed themselves in the community. They attend events and activities and say they do not understand those who claim “there is nothing to do in Great Bend.”

Maggie noted that her husband’s visibility is a strategic effort to ensure Sunflower is seen in a positive light and to show that the organization gives back as much as it receives. He is known for his quick support of other local nonprofits, fostering a spirit of community reciprocation.

Even his personal style reflects a mix of serious advocacy and lighthearted showmanship. While he once performed backflips to entertain crowds, his wife recently encouraged him to retire that particular trick. “I said, ‘You’re over 30 now, you can stop,’” she joked.

Still, his commitment to the mission remains high-energy. Whether he is in a formal meeting or a casual conversation, Harris is rarely seen without a way for community members to get involved.

“Everyone says, ‘he’s Sunflower.’ He’s the guy that everybody knows,” Maggie said. “He never stops, he never turns it off. He wants to make sure people understand the work that Sunflower does and support it as much as he can.”

His life has come full circle recently. His mother, who still lives in Deerfield, decided to move his sister to Great Bend so she can enjoy the services provided by Sunflower.