Mark Soucie was recruited into SigEp by Jay Newcomer, ’84 — a familiar name from high school days, just 60 miles away. Jay, along with David Gaumer, ’84, and Scott Mueller, ’84, made a strong impression.From western Kansas roots to business ownership and philanthropic leadership, Mark Soucie, Kansas State ’86, credits SigEp with helping shape his journey.
Mark Soucie was recruited into SigEp by Jay Newcomer, ’84 — a familiar name from high school days, just 60 miles away. Jay, along with David Gaumer, ’84, and Scott Mueller, ’84, made a strong impression.
“They were fantastic representatives of SigEp and did a great job showcasing the Fraternity,” Mark shared.
At recruitment events, Mark connected with other potential new members and was struck by how SigEp brought together men from across the state. While the Balanced Man Program hadn’t yet been introduced, the chapter already emphasized academics, social involvement, and intramural sports.
Coming from a small farm town and a high school class of just 53, adjusting to a major university was a challenge. SigEp helped ease the transition.
“Being granted the opportunity to be a SigEp helped me transition from a [high school] senior class of 53 to the freedoms of being an adult.”
As a collegiate member, Mark served as recruitment chairman alongside Doug Scheibe, ’87 — a role he found deeply fulfilling.
“I thought we pulled together a terrific class that carried through the leadership of the house for a few years. That class has been successful throughout their lives, both personally and professionally.”
Mark also served as chairman for Fight Night, a philanthropic event that raised a record amount for the American Heart Association.
“That experience taught me a lot about leadership and project management — skills that have carried forward into my professional career.”
Mark’s career began in public accounting with KPMG, where he worked for nearly seven years. He then joined Mutual of Omaha’s controller’s group before moving to Koch Industries in Wichita.
At Koch, Mark spent 19 years in various leadership roles — including controller, treasurer, and CFO.
“The opportunities I had at Koch were second to none. Those experiences gave me the confidence to purchase Ferroloy, and many of the tools I use today stem from my time at Koch.”
Today, Mark is president and owner of Ferroloy Inc., an iron foundry and machine shop in Wichita.
“On most days, I love owning and operating my own business. We’ve successfully grown the company and implemented the processes and equipment needed to move forward. I’m most proud of the leadership team we’ve assembled and the company culture we’ve developed.”
Mark met his wife, Marita, during college, and they married shortly after graduation. Together, they have two sons, Derek and Brett, ’16 — both K-State graduates.
Derek works in hospitality management in Breckenridge, where he also manages family real estate.
Brett runs Ferroloy’s foundry operations. He and his wife, Jill, have three children: Eden, Nellie, and Emmett.
“I didn’t know I would love it this much, but being a grandparent is such a blessing. I love when they call me ‘Pops,’” Mark said.
Mark and Marita enjoy traveling, savoring good food and wine, and spending time with friends. Their travels have taken them to Fiji, Iceland, Italy, and Canada, along with frequent U.S. destinations like the mountains, Las Vegas, and Santa Rosa Beach.
Mark and Marita remain deeply connected to Kansas State University and are proud supporters of Wildcat athletics.
They have served as trustees for the KSU Foundation for more than a decade. Marita also served on the Hospitality Management Advisory Board, while Mark was active on the Finance Advisory Board and served as campus champion for K-State during his tenure at Koch.
To support future students, they endowed an accounting scholarship for first-generation accounting majors from Kansas or Nebraska.
This article is shared from the Kansas Beta newsletter in the Alumni Communications Program.
" ["post_title"]=> string(39) "From the Chapter House to the Boardroom" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(40) "a-lifetime-of-leadership-and-brotherhood" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-05-31 00:10:18" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-05-31 04:10:18" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(26) "https://sigep.org/?p=28291" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [1]=> object(WP_Post)#6733 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(28285) ["post_author"]=> string(4) "1376" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-05-30 23:52:10" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-05-31 03:52:10" ["post_content"]=> string(4207) "For many alumni, some of their fondest college memories stem from SigEp brotherhood. Danny Smith, Pittsburg State ’19, remains grateful for his years in the Kansas Theta Chapter, which produced memorable experiences while preparing him for a long career in law enforcement.
Danny had a roommate and several undergraduate friends in Sigma Phi Epsilon. After spending time with them in the fall, he became interested in fraternity life and joined SigEp in spring 1993.
“My favorite SigEp experience was the brotherhood and the camaraderie,” he said.
Danny proudly recalls Kansas Theta’s camaraderie, especially through intramural competition, and always enjoyed grabbing lunch with his brothers after a football win.
As a member of a group larger than himself, Danny appreciated the chance to interact with brothers from different backgrounds. His role in public relations gave him the opportunity to highlight chapter achievements, even leading to a feature in the national SigEp newsletter.
Danny began his career with the Crawford County Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher in 1995. Years later, he returned to Pitt State and completed his degree in 2019. Over nearly three decades, he rose steadily through the ranks—serving as a deputy sheriff, lieutenant, captain, and ultimately being elected county sheriff in 2020, a role he still holds today.
“Good communication skills are vital when it comes to your personal and professional lives,” Danny shared.
He credits SigEp with helping him develop those skills early on.
“As a young man, being a part of Sigma Phi Epsilon allowed me to start developing those skills through my interaction with other members of the fraternity.”
Reflecting on his time at Pitt State, Danny encourages students to take academics seriously while getting involved in campus life—from athletics and intramurals to Homecoming and more. He also offers support to any Kansas Theta undergraduates considering a law enforcement career.
“I would be glad to set up a visit or a ride-along to answer any questions they might have.”
Years beyond college, Danny still maintains strong connections with several Kansas Theta brothers from his undergraduate years.
“Many of us still get together for PSU events and other gatherings,” he said.
Danny has been married to his wife—also a Pitt State graduate—for more than 29 years. They have two adult children, including one PSU graduate. In his free time, Danny enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
This article is shared from the Kansas Theta newsletter in the Alumni Communications Program.
" ["post_title"]=> string(17) "The SigEp Sheriff" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(17) "the-sigep-sheriff" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-05-30 23:58:11" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-05-31 03:58:11" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(26) "https://sigep.org/?p=28285" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [2]=> object(WP_Post)#6751 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(27987) ["post_author"]=> string(4) "1376" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-04-25 08:55:32" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-04-25 12:55:32" ["post_content"]=> string(2853) "EG Herl, Kansas State ’90, knows the SigEp brotherhood runs deeper than undergraduate experiences. From his involvement with the Alumni and Volunteer Corporation (AVC) to lifelong friendships, he remains grateful for the impact Sigma Phi Epsilon has had on his life.
“My sister was a G-Phi at K-State, and there were some guys from my small hometown of Oakley who were SigEps,” E.G. shared. While he didn’t initially plan to join Greek life, the recruitment process changed his mind—and helped him build meaningful connections with fellow members.
E.G. fondly recalls Homecoming weeks at Kansas State and valued the opportunity to lead as social chairman. He later served as recruitment chairman and ultimately chapter president, developing leadership skills that would serve him well in his professional career.
Though agriculture wasn’t his original plan, E.G.’s small-town roots led him into the grain industry. He began working for multiple grain companies before transitioning to wheat milling at Cereal Food Processors, which was later acquired by Grain Craft. Today, he serves as vice president of grain and logistics for the company.
When Kansas Beta faced challenges, E.G. stepped up alongside Greg Pestinger ’86 and Dirk Daveline ’87 to help stabilize and strengthen the chapter.
“Their involvement pushed me to get involved because I knew they would definitely help get things back on the right track,” he said.
His work on the AVC board reflects the personal impact SigEp had on his college experience. He remains thankful for the chance to engage with undergraduates and share the fraternity’s lasting values.
Even decades after graduation, E.G. still maintains close friendships with his Kansas Beta brothers. He and his wife—also a KSU graduate and Pi Phi—have two sons, one a K-State alum and the other currently in his senior year.
The Herl family enjoys traveling, outdoor adventures, and cheering on the Wildcats at K-State sporting events, whether in Manhattan or at football bowl games across the country.
" ["post_title"]=> string(36) "A Lifelong Commitment to Brotherhood" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(36) "a-lifelong-commitment-to-brotherhood" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-04-25 08:57:39" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-04-25 12:57:39" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(26) "https://sigep.org/?p=27987" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } } ["post_count"]=> int(3) ["current_post"]=> int(-1) ["before_loop"]=> bool(true) ["in_the_loop"]=> bool(false) ["post"]=> object(WP_Post)#6730 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(28291) ["post_author"]=> string(4) "1376" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-05-31 00:06:24" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-05-31 04:06:24" ["post_content"]=> string(6371) "From western Kansas roots to business ownership and philanthropic leadership, Mark Soucie, Kansas State ’86, credits SigEp with helping shape his journey.
Mark Soucie was recruited into SigEp by Jay Newcomer, ’84 — a familiar name from high school days, just 60 miles away. Jay, along with David Gaumer, ’84, and Scott Mueller, ’84, made a strong impression.
“They were fantastic representatives of SigEp and did a great job showcasing the Fraternity,” Mark shared.
At recruitment events, Mark connected with other potential new members and was struck by how SigEp brought together men from across the state. While the Balanced Man Program hadn’t yet been introduced, the chapter already emphasized academics, social involvement, and intramural sports.
Coming from a small farm town and a high school class of just 53, adjusting to a major university was a challenge. SigEp helped ease the transition.
“Being granted the opportunity to be a SigEp helped me transition from a [high school] senior class of 53 to the freedoms of being an adult.”
As a collegiate member, Mark served as recruitment chairman alongside Doug Scheibe, ’87 — a role he found deeply fulfilling.
“I thought we pulled together a terrific class that carried through the leadership of the house for a few years. That class has been successful throughout their lives, both personally and professionally.”
Mark also served as chairman for Fight Night, a philanthropic event that raised a record amount for the American Heart Association.
“That experience taught me a lot about leadership and project management — skills that have carried forward into my professional career.”
Mark’s career began in public accounting with KPMG, where he worked for nearly seven years. He then joined Mutual of Omaha’s controller’s group before moving to Koch Industries in Wichita.
At Koch, Mark spent 19 years in various leadership roles — including controller, treasurer, and CFO.
“The opportunities I had at Koch were second to none. Those experiences gave me the confidence to purchase Ferroloy, and many of the tools I use today stem from my time at Koch.”
Today, Mark is president and owner of Ferroloy Inc., an iron foundry and machine shop in Wichita.
“On most days, I love owning and operating my own business. We’ve successfully grown the company and implemented the processes and equipment needed to move forward. I’m most proud of the leadership team we’ve assembled and the company culture we’ve developed.”
Mark met his wife, Marita, during college, and they married shortly after graduation. Together, they have two sons, Derek and Brett, ’16 — both K-State graduates.
Derek works in hospitality management in Breckenridge, where he also manages family real estate.
Brett runs Ferroloy’s foundry operations. He and his wife, Jill, have three children: Eden, Nellie, and Emmett.
“I didn’t know I would love it this much, but being a grandparent is such a blessing. I love when they call me ‘Pops,’” Mark said.
Mark and Marita enjoy traveling, savoring good food and wine, and spending time with friends. Their travels have taken them to Fiji, Iceland, Italy, and Canada, along with frequent U.S. destinations like the mountains, Las Vegas, and Santa Rosa Beach.
Mark and Marita remain deeply connected to Kansas State University and are proud supporters of Wildcat athletics.
They have served as trustees for the KSU Foundation for more than a decade. Marita also served on the Hospitality Management Advisory Board, while Mark was active on the Finance Advisory Board and served as campus champion for K-State during his tenure at Koch.
To support future students, they endowed an accounting scholarship for first-generation accounting majors from Kansas or Nebraska.
This article is shared from the Kansas Beta newsletter in the Alumni Communications Program.
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