Mid-America Angels Investment Network has a new managing director.

Laura McCoolidge Classen takes over the role from Rick Vaughn, the founding managing director. Vaughn will continue to work part-time with MAA, an angel investment network focused on early-stage companies in Kansas and Missouri.

“We are very fortunate to have Laura join MAA,” Vaughn said in a statement. “She brings a great base of experience and is very well-suited to lead our investment network’s continued growth. I look forward to helping her with that effort.”

Classen comes to MAA from Nebraska Angels, where she served as director for five years. Under her leadership, the network invested more than $13 million in early-stage companies and doubled its membership. She also founded Midwest Angel Syndicate, a monthly forum for Midwest angel groups.

MAA was founded in 2006 and has made more than 100 investments totaling more than $26 million. It operates under the umbrella of the Enterprise Center of Johnson County in Fairway.