Delegate Biographies - Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

Destination: Austin, Texas
Delegate Information & Biographies
The
Chamber’s
th
10 Anniversary
Leadership Exchange
2012
2012 Leadership Exchange Participant Listing
Charlotte Barksdale, President – LaserCycle, Inc.
Jeffrey Bentley, Executive Director – Kansas City Ballet
Robert Berkebile, Principal – BNIM Architects
Becky Blades, Chairman – Trozzolo Communications Group
Hon. Michael Boehm, Mayor/Banker – City of Lenexa, Kansas/Commerce Bank
Randy Bredar, Regional Director of Business Development – JE Dunn Construction Group
Hon. Michael Brooks, City Councilman – City of Kansas City, Missouri
Harlan Brownlee, President & CEO – The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City
Kevin Bryant, VP Investor Relations and Treasurer – Great Plains Energy
Michael Burke, CEO/Chairman – King Hershey, PC
Frank Byrne, Executive Director – Kansas City Symphony
Dr. Tim Caboni, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs – The University of Kansas
Chuck Caisley, Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs – KCP&L
Ramin Cherafat, Vice President – McCownGordon Construction
Hon. Cindy Circo, Mayor Pro Tem – City of Kansas City, Missouri
Ronald Coker, Vice President & General Manager of Water Group –Burns & McDonnell
Erma Coleman, Director of Youth Services – Full Employment Council
Matthew Condon, Chief Executive Officer – Athletic & Rehabilitation Center
Jon Copaken, Principal – Copaken Brooks
Hon. Michael Copeland, Mayor – City of Olathe, Kansas
Bill Crandall, Managing Principal - CBC Real Estate Group, LLC
Cameron Cushman, Senior Analyst – Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Aaron Deacon, Managing Director – Mayors’ Bistate Innovation Team
Steve Doyal, Senior Vice President - Public Affairs and Communications – Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Jarad Falk, Director of Government Relations – Time Warner Cable
Wesley Fields, Partner – Bryan Cave LLP
David Fowler, Office Managing Partner – KPMG LLP
Richard France, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives –Johnson County Community College
Pete Fullerton, President & CEO – Economic Development Corporation
Carol Gonzales, City Manager – City of Shawnee , Kansas
Brett Gordon, President – McCownGordon Construction, LLC
Hon. Allan S. Gray, II, Chairman – Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City
Linda Hanson, Regional President – Enterprise Bank & Trust
Jim Heeter, President & CEO – Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commere
Mitch Hoefer, Partner – Hoefer Wysocki Architects, LLC
Mark Huffer, General Manager – Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Jake Jacobson, Social Media Manager/Steering Chair – Garmin International/ Centurions Leadership Program
Hon. Sylvester "Sly" James, Mayor – City of Kansas City, Missouri
Dr. Roy Jensen, Director – The University of Kansas Cancer Center
Mark Jorgenson, President & CEO - Kansas City Market – US Bank
Brian Kaberline, Editor – Kansas City Business Journal
Steve Klika, President – Adkore/Megaforce
Barbara Koirtyohann, Public Affairs Director – Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Denise Kruse, Chief Executive Officer – AdamsGabbert
Kliff Kuehl, President & CEO – KCPT Public Television/Channel 19
Mark Larrabee, President & CEO - Kansas City – Arvest Bank
Benny Lee, Chief Executive Officer – DuraComm Corporation
Linda Leeper, President – Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
Jason Leib, Partner – Associates Solutions, Inc./Lenexa Chamber of Commerce
Rev. Ronald Lindsay, Senior Pastor – Concord Fortress of Hope Church
Lori Mallory, Chief Executive Officer – Kansas City Internal Medicine
Hon. Jan Marcason, City Councilwoman – City of Kansas City, Missouri
Bob Marcusse, President & CEO – Kansas City Area Development Council
Laurie McCormack, Vice President for University Advancement– Park University
Stephen McDowell, Principal – BNIM Architects
Tim McKee, Chief Executive Officer – Olathe Chamber of Commerce
Robb McKim, Vice President – PGAV Architects
David Mendez, Associate - Hoefer Wysocki Architects, LLC
Maria Meyers, Director of Innovation Center – University of Missouri – Kansas City
Eric Morgenstern, President & CEO – Morningstar Communications
Danny O'Neill, President/Bean Baron – The Roasterie
Tracey Osborne, President – Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Roshann Parris, President and CEO – Parris Communications, Inc.
Lyla Perrodin, VP and Chief Information Officer – MRIGlobal
Hon. Ed Peterson, Commissioner – Johnson County Board of Commissioners
Todd Pleimann, Managing Partner -– RubinBrown LLP
Jeanette Hernandez Prenger, President – ECCO Select Corporation
Christine Pierson, Executive Vice President – UMB Bank
Ralph Reid, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility – Sprint
Robbin Reynolds, President – Sound Products, Inc.
Jerry Riffel, Member – Lathrop & Gage LLP
Clint Robinson, Associate Vice President, Community Affairs – Black & Veatch Corporation
Cici Rojas, Vice President of Community Engagement – Truman Medical Centers
David Rowe, Senior Advisor, Policy – City of Kansas City, Missouri
Hon. Mike Sanders, Jackson County Executive – Jackson County, Missouri
Troy Schulte, City Manager – City of Kansas City, Missouri
Hon. Jim Schultz, Mayor Pro Tem – City of Independence, Missouri
Jewel Scott, Executive Director – The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City
Hon. Ronald Shaffer, Mayor – City of Prairie Village, Kansas
Brenda Sharpe, President and CEO – REACH Healthcare Foundation
Michael Short, Managing Director – Oppenheimer & Co, Inc.
Brad Smith, President – M&I, A part of BMO Financial Group
Laura Smith, Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director – City of Mission, Kansas
Michael Sommers, Principal – BalancePoint Corporation
Rebecca Spexarth, Director of Economic Development – Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization
Dennis Strait, Managing Principal – Gould Evans Associates
Hon. Mike Talboy, Director of Governmental Affairs – Burns & McDonnell
Robert Thompson, Resident Managing Partner – Bryan Cave LLP
Lori Tinkler, Chief Operating Officer – Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc.
Brenda Tinnen, Senior Vice President/General Manager – AEGKC/Sprint Center
Cathy Tisdale, President and CEO – Camp Fire USA
Jay Tomlinson, Principal – Helix Architecture + Design
Rick Usher, Assistant City Manager for Entrepreneurship & Small Business – City of Kansas City, Missouri
Hon. Scott Wagner, City Councilman – City of Kansas City, Missouri
Kevin Wallace, Vice President – HNTB Corporation
Carolyn Watley, President – CBIZ
W. Russell Welsh, Chairman & CEO – Polsinelli Shughart PC
Alex Wendel, Partner & Group Account Director– Global Prairie
J. Michael Wilkes, City Manager – City of Olathe, Kansas
Calvin Williford, Chief of Staff – Jackson County, Missouri
Randy Wisthoff, Director – Kansas City Zoo
Hannes Zacharias, County Manager – Johnson County Government
Mike Zeller, Chief Development Officer – KCPT Public Television/Channel 19
Chamber Staff
Cathy Bennett, Senior Director, Public Policy & Programming – Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Elizabeth Hill, Manager, Public Policy & Programming – Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Melea McRae, Chief Marketing Officer – Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Chelsey Smith, Director, Public Policy & Programming – Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Kristi Wyatt, Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Programming – Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Charlotte Barksdale is president of LaserCycle, Inc., which provides desktop printing
solutions, including zero-landfill printer supplies, service, and equipment; and total print
management, on a nationwide basis. Ms. Barksdale has been a Centurions Leadership
Program alumna since 2008, where she co-founded the Legacy Committee. She has
served on the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce board of directors since 2008, is a past
board member of the Central Exchange, and is committee chair for the Network
Exchange.
E-mail: [email protected]; Phone: 913-894-7470
Jeffrey J. Bentley is executive director of the Kansas City Ballet. He has been involved in
dance and theater for over 30 years as a performer, administrator, festival director,
dance presenter, teacher, and consultant. His professional affiliations in the arts
industry include the American Ballet Center, the school of the Joffrey Ballet, and the
School of American Ballet, as well as executive management positions with some of the
country’s most prestigious arts organizations, including the Tony-award-winning Seattle
Repertory Theater. He was appointed executive director of Kansas City Ballet in 1998.
Robert J. Berkebile is Principal at BNIM Architects. Highly regarded by fellow
professionals, Mr. Berkebile focuses on improving the quality of life in our society with
the integrity and spirit of his firm’s work. In 2012, Mr. Berkebile was named a “Game
Changer Emeritus” by Metropolis Magazine for his leadership within the industry and his
mentorship of up-and-coming leaders. In 2011, BNIM was selected for the AIA National
Architecture Firm Award, the organization’s highest honor, for their role in promoting
green building design.
Becky Blades was founder and president of Blades & Associates, which merged in 2003
with Trozzolo Communications Group. She also launched public relations departments
at two prominent Kansas City advertising firms and worked as a political consultant
specializing in grassroots initiatives and statewide campaigns. She is a founding member
of the Business Committee for the Arts, and currently serves on the board of the Arts
Council of Metropolitan Kansas City.
Mayor Michael Boehm has been mayor of Lenexa, Kan., since January 2003. Mayor
Boehm is senior vice president at Commerce Bank. He serves on the Johnson County
Research Triangle board of directors, the Johnson County Charter Commission, and the
Johnson County Visioning Committee. He chairs Johnson County Community College’s
Carlsen Center Program advisory committee. Mayor Boehm also serves on the board of
directors of the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce and the Johnson County Community
College Foundation advisory board.
Randy Bredar is the Sr. Vice President of Corporate Development for JE Dunn
Construction. He is responsible for growth strategies and development for the 10 th
largest construction company in the United States. A registered architect, Bredar holds a
Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Iowa State University, with post-graduate studies
at The University of Texas-Arlington. He is a member of the American Institute of
Architects and AIA Missouri Council. Mr. Bredar currently serves as a Board Member of
the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, MO; Kansas City of the Urban
Land Institute, and the Department of Architectural Studies at the University of
Missouri, Columbia.
Councilman Michael Brooks represents the 5th District, in district, on the Kansas City,
Missouri, City Council. He took office in May 2011. Councilman Brooks has served as the
senior pastor at Zion Grove Baptist Church for over 10 years and as president of the
Concerned Clergy Coalition, in addition to serving in other ministry positions. He is the
founder and former president of Hope Academy Charter School and H.O.P.E. Ministries.
Harlan Brownlee is president and CEO of The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City.
He possesses a passion for the arts guided by a disciplined approach to change.
Understanding the transformational power the arts have to improve the quality of life
for a community, he has led The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City in developing
community partnerships dedicated to insuring access to the arts and cultural
development for the region. Mr. Brownlee is on the Kennedy Center’s national touring
roster for the Partners in Education program.
Kevin Bryant is the vice president of Investor Relations and Treasurer at Great Plains
Energy. He is responsible for leading the company's finance, treasury, investor relations,
corporate strategy and risk management areas. Since joining KCP&L in 2003, Mr. Bryant
has held a number of positions that have drawn on his strategic insight and
finance/marketing experience, including senior financial analyst; manager, Corporate
Finance; vice president, Energy Solutions; and, most recently, vice president of Strategy
and Risk Management. Mr. Bryant serves as president of the board of directors of Brush
Creek Community Partners, an organization that works to enhance and evolve economic
and community growth in Kansas City’s Brush Creek Corridor. He also serves on the
board of directors of Cristo Ray Kansas City High School, a college prep school for
economically disadvantaged students who show academic promise.
Michael Burke is a director and vice president of King Hershey, PC. He has served in a
variety of capacities on behalf of the City of Kansas City, Missouri including as First
District City Councilman and chair of the Public Improvements Advisory Committee
(PIAC). He is active in the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Northland
Chamber of Commerce. He currently is serving as co-chair of the Mayor's Task Force for
the Arts and as co-chair of the Mayor's Bi-State Innovation Team. Kansas City Magazine
has recognized Mr. Burke's legal achievements for three years in a row with the 'Super
Lawyer' designation as Top Attorney in the category of Government/Cities and
Municipalities.
Frank Byrne was named executive director of the Kansas City Symphony (KCS) in June
2002. Under his leadership, the Kansas City Symphony has grown its audience, earned
and contributed revenue, and has made the transformational move into the new
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The KCS has also increased its outreach to the
community and the region with a number of new initiatives, and has embarked on a
very successful series of commercial recordings for Reference Recordings, the most
recent of which won a Grammy award.
Dr. Timothy Caboni is vice chancellor for public affairs at the University of Kansas where
he oversees the communications, marketing, and advocacy efforts of the university and
serves as KU’s principal spokesperson. In this role, he represents the University of
Kansas to a wide range of constituencies and works to connect KU with local, regional,
national, and global audiences. In addition, he leads the university’s legislative agenda at
the local, state, and federal levels on issues that include research funding, higher
education policy, and health care.
E-mail: [email protected]; Phone: 785- 864-3131
Charles “Chuck” Caisley, KCP&L vice president of marketing and public affairs, leads the
energy solutions and public affairs divisions with responsibility for the company's
community strategy, customer communications, economic development, governmental
affairs, and public relations areas. He joined KCP&L in 2007 as director of governmental
affairs. Prior to joining KCP&L, he was president of the Missouri Energy Development
Association. Mr. Caisley is the former chairman of the Missouri Energy Council.
Ramin Cherafat is vice president and partner of McCownGordon Construction and has
been with the firm since early in its inception. Mr. Cherafat has been actively involved in
community organizations including KCT, DBIA, Centurions, and Community LINC. He
currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Olathe EDC, Olathe Chamber, and Ronald
McDonald House Charities Friends of the House. He will also be serving on the Dean’s
Advisory Council for Kansas State University College of Architecture in 2012-2013. Mr.
Cherafat holds a B.S. in Construction Management from Kansas State University and an
M.B.A. from University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo represents the 5th District at-large on the Kansas City, Mo.,
City Council. She was appointed mayor pro tem in May 2011 and is serving her second
term as councilwoman. Mayor Pro Tem Circo serves on the City Council Plans, Zoning &
Economic Development Committee, the Finance, Governance and Ethics Committee,
and the Special Committee for Small Business. She was instrumental in the creation of
KC BizCare, the City’s business customer service center. She led the team that ensured
Kansas City was the first city in the nation to install Google Fiber Optics.
Ron Coker is an associate vice president at Kansas City-based Burns & McDonnell. He
leads the firm’s Water Business Unit in Kansas City and serves as the officer in charge of
the firm’s Kansas City, Mo., projects. Prior to joining Burns & McDonnell in 2004, Mr.
Coker served as vice president and managing director for several U.S. operating divisions
of global consulting giant W.S. Atkins. Mr. Coker is a registered professional engineer
and is actively involved in a number of civic organizations, including serving on The
Chamber’s Board and as chairman of the Downtown Council.
Erma “Dot” Coleman is the Director of Youth Services for the Full Employment Council,
where she provides effective executive leadership in managing the activities of the FEC
Youth Programs in order to provide quality employment and training services to young
adults. Prior, she has served as interim vice president of operations for the Boys and
Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City and the chief professional officer for the Boys and
Girls Clubs of Eastern Jackson County. Ms. Coleman’s other accomplishments include
developing a youth ROTC program and youth entrepreneurship program for Center High
School. She has also received numerous awards, including the National Republican
Congressional Committee Leadership Award.
Email: [email protected]; Phone: 816-471-2330, Ext 1327
Matthew Condon is one of the founders of Athletic & Rehabilitation Center (ARC) and
serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Among ARC’s many accomplishments
since their inception in 2003, ARC was named Kansas City’s “Small Business of the Year”
in 2010 by the Kansas City Chamber, one of Kansas City’s “Champions of Business” in
2011, and was recently named one of Kansas City’s “Healthiest Employers” in 2012.
With Mr. Condon’s leadership, what started out as a physical and occupational therapy
company specializing in workers’ compensation claims, has grown into a new breed of
company – the region's foremost wellness, injury prevention and rehabilitation
company – a healthy workforce company.
Jon Copaken is Principal of Copaken Brooks. He has 20 years of commercial real estate
investment, development, leasing and property management experience, including
stints in Chicago, Kansas City, and Warsaw, Poland. He recently led the team on the
redevelopment of the 55,000 square foot Kirkwood Building in the East Crossroads
District for the Service Management Group. The Kirkwood Building earned the first LEED
Gold certification for a restoration in Kansas City. Additionally, he is responsible for the
Arterra 21 project, a mixed-use condominium development in downtown Kansas City,
Missouri. Mr. Copaken also led the development of the Plaza Colonnade in Kansas City,
Missouri.
Mayor Michael Copeland is the 58th and longest-serving Olathe Mayor. A 1994
graduate of Leadership Olathe, Mayor Copeland is a member of the Olathe Chamber of
Commerce board of directors and the Olathe Library Board. He also serves on the Board
of Directors for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Union Station Kansas
City, and KC SmartPort. He is a past chairman of the Johnson and Wyandotte Counties
Council of Mayors. Mayor Copeland received the 2007 Citizen of the Year Award from
the Olathe Chamber of Commerce.
Bill Crandall is managing principal of CarrBaierCrandall (CBC) Real Estate Group, LLC, a
real estate development and consulting firm. CBC’s most recognizable projects include:
Discovery Ridge, an 80,000 sf technology building for the University of Missouri;
Logistics Park Kansas City, a 1,000 acre logistics park located in Edgerton, Kan.; Village
West; and the Sprint Campus. Mr. Crandall is currently chair of the Friends of the Zoo
board of directors.
Cameron Cushman is a manager in entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman
Foundation where he focuses his efforts on strengthening the entrepreneurial
ecosystem in the Kansas City region. He leads the Foundation’s efforts on the Chamber’s
Big 5 initiative to make Kansas City America’s Most Entrepreneurial City. Mr. Cushman
previously directed the Foundation’s efforts to educate policymakers about the
importance of entrepreneurship in Washington. He was involved in the Startup Act of
2011, the Startup Act 2.0, and the JOBS Act. Prior to joining Kauffman, Mr. Cushman
served in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Market Access and Compliance division of
the International Trade Administration.
Aaron Deacon is coordinating the execution of the Digital Playbook produced by the
Mayors' Bistate Innovations Team. He has been active in many civic initiatives in
response to the Google Fiber project, including the Building the Gigabit City
brainstorming session and the Gigabit City Summit. He is president of the Social Media
Club of Kansas City and founder of the research and strategy firm Curiolab.
Steve Doyal is the senior vice president of public affairs and communications and a
corporate officer at Hallmark Cards, Inc. He also serves as president of the Hallmark
Corporate Foundation. In this role, Mr. Doyal leads the company’s communications,
public relations, government affairs, and community involvement programs. He is
responsible for the Hallmark Visitors Center, Kaleidoscope – a children’s creative art
experience at Crown Center, and the philanthropic activities of the Hallmark Corporate
Foundation. Steve is a member of the Boards of Trustees of Baker University in Baldwin
City, Kan., and University of Missouri – Kansas City. He also serves as co-chair of the
Kansas City Area Development Council and as chairman of the EPIC Entertainment board
of directors.
E. Frank Ellis is founder, chairman, and CEO of Swope Health Services, Swope
Community Builders, Applied Urban Research Institute, and Swope Community
Enterprises. He has received local and national recognition for his impact as a social
entrepreneur, effectively applying business principles and practices to address the total
health and economic well being of the indigent and working poor. Mr. Ellis serves on the
boards of the Heart of America Boy Scouts, United Missouri Bank, Rockhurst University,
UMKC Trustees, and Midwest Research Institute Board of Trustees. He is chair of the
Greater Kansas City Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Dr. Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D., is publisher and executive editor of USARiseUp.Com, an online
educational magazine dedicated to increasing understanding across race, culture, and
ethnicity. USARiseUp.com is also the proud sponsor and host of the National Collegiate
Dialogue on Race Relations with professors and students from some of the nation’s
major colleges and universities participating. Dr. Ellis brings 30 years of public and
private sector experience to the leadership of the magazine. She has been a newspaper
and radio columnist throughout her career.
Jarad Falk is the director of government relations at Time Warner Cable (TWC) in Kansas
City. Prior to joining TWC, Mr. Falk worked in Jefferson City as the chief of staff to State
Senator Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) and as a policy director for the Senate Majority
Caucus. Mr. Falk holds a bachelors degree in Finance & Banking from the University of
Missouri-Columbia, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of
Missouri-Kansas City.
Wesley Fields concentrates his practice in the areas of general business matters, with
particular emphasis on the representation of closely held and emerging growth
businesses and the fiduciary responsibilities of its officers and board of directors. Mr.
Fields’ practice includes planning for the structure and the formation of new business
entities for corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, as well as
negotiation and documentation of business joint ventures, mergers, consolidations,
acquisitions and stock/asset sales. Mr. Fields has served as lead counsel to the Tax
Increment Financing Commission of Kansas City, Missouri for twelve years and has
participated in structuring and documenting over 100 development projects in Kansas
City, Missouri valued at approximately $2 billion.
David M. Fowler is Office Managing Partner for KPMG with over 35 years of experience.
Mr. Fowler graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration. He is a licensed certified public accountant in
Missouri and Kansas. Mr. Fowler is actively involved in various charitable and civic
activities including: Chairman of the Board of Governors for the American Royal. He
serves as a board member for: Boy Scouts, Heart of America Council; Civic Council of
Greater Kansas City; Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; and Kansas City Area
Development Council. He also serves as a Board of Trustees Member for the NelsonAtkins Museum of Art.
Richard France is vice president for strategic initiatives/special assistant to the president
at Johnson County Community College (JCCC). He joined JCCC in January, 2012,
following 25 years in Administration at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. France assists with planning and operations for the Board of Trustees. He provides
on-going college leadership for numerous academic, student and workforce related
initiatives. Mr. France represents the college in the public domain working with local
chamber of commerce boards as well as spending time in Topeka supporting state-wide
higher education/community college initiatives.
Burdette (Pete) Fullerton is the president and CEO of the Economic Development
Corporation (EDC) of Kansas City. He has held that position since April of this year. The
EDC of Kansas City serves as a clearinghouse of economic development services to the
City of Kansas City, Missouri. Previous to his position with the EDC, Mr. Fullerton served
for 22 years as the Executive Director of the Platte County Economic Development
Council. Mr. Fullerton is currently pursuing his Doctorate at the University of Southern
Mississippi in Human Capital Development.
Carol Gonzales is city manager for the City of Shawnee, Kansas, a position she has held
since 2005. She was hired in 1998 as the city clerk and human resources director. She
was promoted in 2000 to assistant city manager and then deputy city manager in 2004.
She graduated with honors from the Edwin O. Stene Graduate School of Public
Administration at the University of Kansas.
Brett Gordon is president and co-founder of McCownGordon Construction, one of the
largest general contractors in Kansas City, which has been named one of the Best Places
to Work in Kansas City for the past seven consecutive years. With a strong passion for
the philanthropic community, Mr. Gordon is a long-time supporter of various
organizations including Cornerstones of Care, Marillac, Ronald McDonald House
Charities, Kemper Museum, United Way, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Children’s
Mercy Hospital, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). He currently serves
as chair of JDRF and vice chair of the Downtown Council.
Councilman Allan Gray was elected to the Lee’s Summit City Council after many years of
dedicated involvement in the Lee’s Summit community. His unbridled passion for the
arts has led him to serve on the national boards of directors such as the Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theater of New York, as chair of the Missouri Arts Council and as a
frequent member of panels for the National Endowment for the Arts. He is chairman
and founder of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey and chair-elect of the Metropolitan
Arts Council of Kansas City.
Linda Hanson is the president of the Kansas City region of Enterprise Bank & Trust, a
banking and wealth management company. The company focuses on partnering with
closely held or family owned businesses and their owners to assist in achieving their
financial goals and objectives. Enterprise provides expert advice with creative and
innovative approaches to help businesses grow and prosper. Enterprise Services Corp,
parent company of Enterprise, has just over $3 billion in assets and more than 3,000
valued customers serving Kansas City, St. Louis, and Phoenix. As president of the Kansas
City region, Ms. Hanson directs Enterprise’s commercial lending, sales development, and
marketing efforts at its eleven Kansas City branches.
E-mail: [email protected]; Phone: 913-663-5525.
James A. “Jim” Heeter is president and chief executive officer of The Chamber. He
joined The Chamber’s staff in 2010 following a distinguished career as an attorney. In
1995 he became a partner with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, LLP (now SNR Denton),
and served as the managing partner of that firm’s Kansas City office and a member of
the firm’s executive committee from 2000 until 2010. Mr. Heeter is the past president of
the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. He served on the Kansas City, Missouri
City Council from 1983 – 1987, representing the city’s 4th District at-large.
Mitch Hoefer, AIA, NCARB, is a founding principal of Hoefer Wysocki Architecture.
Since 1996, he has grown the firm from two to over 80 professionals. Mr. Hoefer
provides vision, direction, design expertise, mentorship, and overall leadership to staff
for projects throughout the United States. For more than 32 years, he has led design
teams in healthcare, commercial, and government projects. Included are million square
feet hospital campuses, high-rise office space and mixed-use developments. Mr. Hoefer
and the firm have received numerous accolades for design excellence within all of the
firm’s studios. Mr. Hoefer serves on the board of Country Club Bank South and recently
resigned co-chair of Stems, a charity supporting the Arts and Recreation Foundation of
Overland Park.
Mark Huffer has served the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) as
general manager and CEO since December 2000. His emphasis on customer service and
technology implementation has propelled KCATA to pursue innovations in service
delivery and management efficiencies. Prior to arriving at KCATA, he worked for the BiState Development Agency in St. Louis for 10 years. There, he played an integral role in
the development of the light rail system, as well as redesigned the bus network. Mr.
Huffer has previously worked in transit in Indianapolis; Lynchburg, Virginia; State
College, Pennsylvania; and Columbus, Ohio.
Jake Jacobson, the social media manager for Olathe-based Garmin International, was
recently elected as chairman of the Centurions Leadership Program’s Steering
Committee for 2012-2013. Jacobson’s work with Garmin has taken him around the
world – from blogging at the Tour de France to running marathons in New York,
Chicago, and San Diego – tapping into a passion for an active, social lifestyle and
experience in professional communication and public speaking. In addition to his
involvement in Centurions, Jacobson contributes his energy and ideas to area
organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation (leadership council), YMCA of Greater KC
(brand council), Bike MS (team captain), and several other groups.
E-mail:[email protected]; Phone: 913-440-5435.
Mayor Sly James was elected mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, in March 2011, and took
office in May 2011. Throughout his successful 26-year legal career, Mayor James has
earned extensive professional accolades including being appointed to the Missouri
Board of Law Examiners, leading the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA)
and the Kansas City Bar Foundation, and serving as vice president of the Public Interest
Litigation Clinic, and of the board of directors of Legal Aid of Western Missouri. In 2002,
Mayor James started his own successful small business, The Sly James Firm.
Dr. Roy A. Jensen, MD, director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, combines
exceptional experience in the laboratory and international leadership in pathology to
lead The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Since becoming director, he has recruited a
world-class leadership team responsible for the Cancer Center achieving National
Cancer Institute (NCI) designation in 2012. He also serves as director of the Kansas
Masonic Cancer Research Institute and is a professor of pathology and laboratory
medicine, anatomy, and cell biology at The University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Mark R. Jorgenson is president and CEO of the Kansas City market for US Bank. Mr.
Jorgenson has been employed by US Bank and its predecessor banks in the Kansas City
market since June 1981. A native of Hastings, Nebraska, Mr. Jorgenson graduated in
1979 with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He majored
in Economics and Business Administration. Jorgenson then graduated with a Masters in
Business Administration Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, with a
concentration in Finance. Mr. Jorgenson is active in industry and community affairs, he
has held officer and board positions in many community organizations.
Brian Kaberline is editor of the Kansas City Business Journal, directing print and online
newsroom operations. He has been with the Business Journal as an editor and reporter
for 22 years.
Steve Klika is president of AdKore/MegaForce Staffing Companies with offices in
Overland Park, KS; Minneapolis, MN; Tulsa, OK; and Chattanooga, TN. The
company specializes in contract and permanent employee placements in both
professional and general fields with over 250 employees in more than 20 states. Mr.
Klika is a past president and current member of the Blue Valley Board of Education,
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) Treasurer and Commissioner, and a
member of the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association (KCCVA) board of
directors. He also is a member of the Chamber’s Johnson County Leadership Council,
past chairman and current member of the Johnson County Transportation Council and
Passenger Global Network (International transportation consortium).
Barbara Koirtyohann serves as the director of public affairs for Hallmark Cards. She is
responsible for the development and execution of strategies to achieve the company’s
public policy goals at both the federal and state levels. Postal policy, one of Hallmark’s
key issues, is a primary focus. Ms. Koirtyohann is a founding member of the Greeting
Card Association’s (GCA) Postal Affairs Committee. In that capacity she has helped
direct the association’s postal affairs activities, concentrating on the welfare of the
“citizen mailer.” Ms. Koirtyohann is also the president of HALLPAC, the Hallmark Political
Action Committee.
Denise Kruse is CEO of AdamsGabbert, where she has been for just over 2 years. At the
end of 2011, Ms. Kruse led a management buyout of the company, as the majority
owner. AdamsGabbert is a regional professional services firm, committed to enhancing
the business operations of its clients, resulting in improved profits. Ms. Kruse is a
current board member of privately held RP Products, Inc. She also serves on the boards
of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Henry W. Bloch School of
Business at UMKC, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), is the chair
of the Central Exchange, the Community Foundation of JOCO board, and was the
founding chair of win|win for KC, a community-wide campaign for gender diversity on
boards.
Kliff Kuehl is president and CEO of KCPT, Kansas City Public Television. His vision for the
station is to transform public media so it is a better and more sustainable service, with
increased viewer engagement. In an era of declining local coverage by newspapers and
commercial television, he wants KCPT to bridge the gap by growing its local content
services and its efforts to connect to content to audience segments. Mr. Kuehl stays
engaged on the national level with his membership on the PBS Communication Advisory
Committee. Mr. Kuehl is also involved in the MMG (Major Market Group), NETA Board,
and has presented on panels at PBS and NETA meetings. He is participating in an
upcoming panel at SXSW Interactive.
Mark R. Larrabee has been president and CEO for Arvest Bank in Kansas City since 2009,
when Arvest acquired Harrington Bank. He has held leadership positions in various
community and regional banks in the Kansas City area dating back to 1984, when he was
involved with the founding and start-up of Mission Hills Bank. Mr. Larrabee earned his
undergraduate degree in business from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the
University of Missouri. Mr. Larrabee has been active in various community
organizations, holding leadership positions with the American Red Cross of Greater
Kansas City, The Children’s Center Campus, Children’s TLC, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the
CORO Foundation.
Benny Lee is the owner of Duracomm Corp., a source for ultra-reliable AC to DC switch
mode power supplies and DuraComm Lighting, a supplier of high quality LED lighting
solutions. He is also working with several new ventures including a special iPad bag,
folding cello, medical devices, and LED stop sign. Mr. Lee serves on the board of
directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. He is first vice president of
International Relations Council; a trustee of Park University; and a University of
Missouri-Kansas City entrepreneur in residence, mentoring students who are creating
businesses. He supports music and hosts many events to promote local musicians.
Linda Leeper is president and CEO of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, a position
she has held since January 2001.She is responsible for the strategic direction of the
Chamber Corporation including the Chamber’s membership and the Economic
Development and Tourism divisions. The Shawnee Chamber is a 4-Star Accredited
Chamber by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her current position she owned
and operated her own business for seven years and served on the Shawnee Chamber
Board of Directors. Ms. Leeper serves on various local boards including the Johnson
County United Way and Downtown Partnership and is Vice President of the Kansas
Chamber of Commerce Executives organization. Ms. Leeper has been honored as the
Citizen of the Year by the Knights of Columbus.
Jason Leib is a partner at Associates Solutions Inc. (ASI), an IT consulting company and
the Chairman of the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce. He is Past-President of the Lenexa
Rotary Club and now serves as Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5710. Other
community involvement includes serving on the Lenexa Vision 2030 project, the
Johnson County Courthouse Advisory Panel, and the Lenexa Citizens Police Academy.
Mr. Leib is Chairman of the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, past Chair of the Legislative
Affairs Committee, and Chamber Member of the Year in 2007. He is a graduate and past
Co-Chair of Leadership Lenexa. He also serves on the board of CERI (County Economic
Research Institute).
E-mail: [email protected] ; Phone: 913-660 – 1787
Pastor Ronald Lindsay is the founder and senior pastor of Concord Fortress of Hope
Church. Concord is located in South Kansas City, Mo., and is considered to be one of the
fastest growing churches in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Before founding
Concord, Pastor Lindsay led two churches in Central Missouri and was the pastor from
1981-1986. Pastor Lindsay is also the director of Kansas City’s A Call to Oneness
initiative, which is a community based organization that focuses on youth reclamation
and family development. In 2009, A Call to Oneness partnered with the Missouri
Department of Transportation to train more than 1,300 men and women on how to
prepare to take the commercial driver’s license exam.
Lori A. Mallory is the CEO of Kansas City Internal Medicine. Ms. Mallory has been the
CEO of Kansas City Internal Medicine (KCIM) since December, 2002. KCIM is the region’s
largest privately owned internal medicine group, with five metropolitan locations and
serving over 130,000 patient visits per year. KCIM has grown under during her tenure
via acquisitions and community partnership. KCIM has a strong reputation for providing
the highest level of care. Ms. Mallory has served in a board capacity for the Greater
Kansas City Chamber of Commerce including serving as chair of the Health Council and
active in the Small Business Council subcommittee. She was named one of Kansas City’s
“Top 25 Women Who Mean Business,” by the Kansas City Business Journal in 2005.
Councilwoman Jan Marcason represents the 4th District, in district, on the Kansas City,
Mo., City Council, where she serves as the chair of the Finance, Governance, and Ethics
Committee. Prior to her election, Councilwoman Marcason served as the executive
director of Mid America Assistance Coalition for 16 years. As a leader of the Junior
League, Councilwoman Marcason helped start the Jazzoo fundraiser that has brought
millions of dollars to help the Kansas City Zoo. She serves on the boards of the Mid
America Regional Council as treasurer; Kansas City Convention and Visitors' Association;
Economic Development Corporation; and Downtown Council Business Retention
Committee; among others.
Bob Marcusse is president and chief executive officer of the Kansas City Area
Development Council, a position he has held since 1991. Mr. Marcusse has spearheaded
major growth initiatives in the region such as the Kansas City Area Life Sciences
Institute, KC Animal Health Corridor, and KC SmartPort, and the Trade Data Exchange.
He serves on the executive committees of KC SmartPort and the Missouri Biotechnology
Association. He is a member of the University of Kansas Edwards Campus Advisory
Board, Rockhurst University School of Business Advisory Board, and University of
Missouri Economic Development Cabinet. He is immediate past chair of the University
of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute.
Laurie D. McCormack is vice president for university advancement at Park University.
Prior, Ms. McCormack was the assistant vice chancellor of advancement for
development at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, when she directed UMKC’s firstever nine-figure capital campaign, raising $202.6 million. Ms. McCormack’s career in
fundraising began with the Heart of America United Way, where she raised more than
$3.8 million. Ms. McCormack formerly served as the director of marketing and client
services at Polsinelli Shughart PC. Ms. McCormack serves as a board and executive
committee member of both the TMC Foundation and Nonprofit Connect.
Stephen McDowell is principal and director design at BNIM Architects, where he leads
studio directors, associates, and designers at every level. Mr. McDowell’s leadership by
design is setting new ground in cutting-edge projects at the University of Georgia and
the North Charleston Noisette Community Development in South Carolina, among
others. He is a member of the Brush Creek Community Partners, the Kansas City Urban
Land Institute Advisory Board, and the Kansas City Downtown Council, the American
Planning Association. He is a member of the boards of directors of the Kansas City
Design Center, KCPT Public Television/Channel 19, and the Kansas City Area
Development Council. Mr. McDowell was elevated to fellowship in the American
Institute of Architects in 2001.
Tim McKee is CEO of Olathe Chamber of Commerce. Before assuming that position, he
was the Chamber’s executive vice president for economic development. He has helped
position Olathe as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, bringing to
fruition such major projects as the Kansas Bioscience Park and assisting with the
expansion of the Farmers Insurance and Garmin International headquarters. Mr. McKee
has lent his leadership to many community organizations, including Johnson County
United Way, the Greater KC Foreign Trade Zone, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce
Executives, the Kansas Economic Developers Association, and CCIM. He has served on
the Board of Directors for the Institute of Organizational Management of the United
States Chamber of Commerce.
Robb McKim is corporate vice president of PGAV Architects, Planners, and Destination
Consulting with responsibilities in strategic business development, project
management/advisory activities and community affairs. Mr. McKim began his career in
urban/regional planning and economic development consulting at Midwest Research
Institute (now MRI Global) and later, the Kansas City Area Development Council
(KCADC). He is active in the Urban Land Institute including service as past chair of the
national, Public Private Partnership Council and the Kansas City District Council. He is a
member of the KCADC Life Sciences Advisory Council, the Board of the Heart of America
Council of Boy Scouts, and the Coordinating Committee of MARC’s Creating Sustainable
Places initiative.
David Mendez is an associate with Hoefer Wysocki Architecture responsible for business
development within the civic / public safety and commercial development design
groups. Mr. Mendez pursues opportunities for federal, state, county, and municipal
projects as well as commercial developments. Prior to joining Hoefer Wysocki, his career
advanced through various technology industries including telecom, commercial
transportation, and alternative / renewable energy. Mr. Mendez has served on multiple
boards and participated in leadership roles and advisory panels within the industries he
operated for more than 25 years.
Maria Meyers heads the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Innovation Center
which organizes a variety of university supported business outreach services into a
single organization. Ms. Meyers has been at UMKC since 2003, when she crafted a
public-private partnership to launch a venture that became known as KCSourceLink.
Ms. Meyers was also instrumental in the creation of the Institute for Entrepreneurship
and Innovation, She was the chief operating officer for both an early stage biotech
company and during the $240 million project to create Science City at Union Station in
Kansas City, MO. She holds positions on the National Small Business Development
Center Advisory Board to the U.S.SBA.
Email: [email protected]; Phone: 816-235-6112
Eric M. Morgenstern is president and CEO of Morningstar Communications, a strategic
integrated communications firm that helps industry and community leaders develop
brand-building, new media, communications, and public relations programs. For 30
years, Mr. Morgenstern has helped companies achieve their growth, sales, marketing,
and communications goals. He volunteers on the Greater Kansas City Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors. He also helps lead the alumni involved in the University
of Kansas J-School Generations initiative and serves on the marketing team for the
Kansas City Area Development Council and Kansas City Convention and Visitors
Association.
Danny O’Neill is the “Bean Baron” of The Roasterie, inc., a specialty coffee roaster that
services espresso bars, coffee houses, fine restaurants, high-end grocers, and coffeelovers everywhere. Born and raised in Denison, Iowa, Mr. O’Neill was a foreign exchange
student in Costa Rica during his senior year of high school, and spent several weeks
picking coffee. After his return he received his B.A. from Iowa State University and his
MBA from the Rockhurst University Executive Fellows Program. After holding various
sales and marketing positions for years, Mr. O’Neill decided to start roasting coffee in
the basement of his home. Since then he has become a sought-after expert in the
specialty coffee industry.
Tracey Osborne, CCE, is president of the Overland Park (Kansas) Chamber of
Commerce. She is responsible for the strategic direction of the chamber’s membership,
legislative, and economic development activities. With over 24 years of experience in
the chamber profession, Ms. Osborne previously served chambers in Missouri and
Oklahoma, joining Overland Park in 2004. She recently completed terms on the
executive committee and board of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and
has served on the boards of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Johnson County United
Way, and the Johnson County Community College Foundation.
Roshann Parris is president and CEO of Parris Communications Inc., a Kansas City-based
public relations and strategic communications firm. Now in its 24 th year, the firm
maintains a vigorous focus on strategic corporate communications, media relations, and
crisis communications. She is the recipient of the 1999 Kansas City Spirit Award, the
2003 Central Exchange Woman of the Year Award, and the 2005 Chamber of Commerce
Athena Award. Her firm was named as the 2003 Kansas City Small Business
Philanthropist of the Year, and has been recognized annually since 2007 as a Small
Business “Best Place to Work” by the Kansas City Business Journal. She is a native of
Louisville, Kentucky, and an honors graduate of Indiana University and the University of
Kansas.
Lyla Perrodin is the Vice President and Chief Information Officer of MRIGlobal.
Ms. Perrodin is responsible for enterprise-wide IT and associated integration of data
systems/processes, monitoring performance against MRIGlobal’s business strategy, and
for compiling critical information such as Business and Competitive Intelligence. Ms.
Perrodin also leads MRIGlobal’s Corporate Communications function, responsible for
Internal and External Communications, Media Relations, and Government Relations.
Since joining MRIGlobal in 2004, Ms. Perrodin has cultivated a new vision for how
MRIGlobal manages and evolves its systems and processes. Ms. Perrodin serves on the
Board of Directors of several not-for-profit organizations. She was recognized in March
2012 by KC Business Magazine as one of Kansas city’s most influential women.
Commissioner Ed Peterson, first elected to the Board in 2003, is currently serving his
third four-year term as Johnson County Commissioner representing the First District.
Commissioner Peterson served as the Mayor of Fairway from 1993 to 2002, and a
member of the Fairway City Council from 1988 to1993. He currently serves as the
Chairman of the Mid-America Regional Council’s (MARC) Air Quality Forum, is a past CoChairman of the MARC Water Resources Task Force, and was Chairman of the JohnsonWyandotte Counties Council of Mayors from 1998 to 1999. Commissioner Peterson is
Chairman of the Environmental Citizens’ Advisory Task Force and works closely with the
County’s Sustainability Coordinating Committee. Throughout Commissioner Peterson’s
tenure he has focused his attention to sustainability and environmental issues.
Todd Pleimann is the managing partner of RubinBrown LLP’s Kansas City office and
serves as a partner in the Assurance Services Group. He has diversified audit,
accounting, and income tax experience. He is resource development chair for the
University Johnson County Community Advisory Council, a member of the board of
directors of ImpactKC, a member of Nonprofit Connect, and a member of the NelsonAtkins Business Council Steering Committee. He is the former treasurer and board
member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and former treasurer and board member of
the Good Sheppard School for Special Needs Children. Mr. Pleimann is a member of the
Kansas City Area Development Council Life Services Advisory Council; committee chair
for The Association of Corporate Growth, Kansas City; and a member of the Downtown
Council of Kansas City.
Jeanette Prenger is owner and president of ECCO Select, an information technology
consulting company, and one of the top 500 Hispanic Owned Businesses in the U.S. Ms.
Prenger is the Chair of Junior Achievement of Middle America and holds numerous
other board positions serving education, business, and the arts. Ms. Prenger is an
appointee of Governor Nixon to the Missouri Workforce Investment Board and to the
Mayor’s Citizen Commission on Municipal Revenue. She and ECCO Select are recipients
of numerous business and philanthropic awards.
Christine Pierson joined UMB in 2011. As executive vice president of consumer banking,
she directs consumer product development, sales, lending, small business banking, and
distribution through UMB’s banking centers. Prior to joining UMB, Ms. Pierson was vice
president of U.S. Sales with Bayer HealthCare Corporation. She also had a successful 20year career with AT&T, where she last served as vice president of sales, AT&T Global
Business Services. Ms. Pierson is a board member for the Kansas City Area Development
Council, the University of Missouri Industrial Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Advisory Board and the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation Advisory Board.
Ralph Reid is vice president of corporate social responsibility for Sprint. In this role, he
has responsibility for leading Sprint’s overall social responsibility and environmental
efforts as well as direct management of Sprint’s community relations, employee
volunteerism, and corporate diversity and inclusion efforts. He also directs Sprint’s
philanthropic activities as president of the Sprint Foundation. Prior to joining the
corporate social responsibility department in 2003, Mr. Reid led Sprint’s emerging
leadership programs. In this role, he was responsible for designing, developing and
leading accelerated developmental programs for Sprint managers and executives.
During his 27-year career with Sprint, he has held a wide range of financial and
operations management positions with the company.
Robbin Reynolds is chairman and president of Sound Products, Inc., now celebrating its
22nd year anniversary. A woman-owned business, Sound Products designs, installs, and
services audio, video and security systems for the commercial market. In other words, it
engineers “vibe”, designing environments where success comes alive with sight, sound,
and security. Recent projects include conference room audio/visual systems for Ascend
Learning, sound systems across the country for Applebee’s International, intercom, A/V
and CCTV systems for Garden City High School, courtroom A/V systems for the JAG
Headquarters at Fort Riley, CCTV for Stormont Vail Hospital, stadium sound for
Burlington High School, access control and CCTV for Seaman High School in Topeka, and
the audio visual control systems for Tortoise Capital Advisors.
Jerry Riffel is a member of the Real Estate practice group of Lathrop & Gage LLP. He is in
charge of the Department’s Public Law Team and has a broad background and
experience in economic development incentives, Chapter 353 (Urban Redevelopment),
land clearance, condemnation, special business districts, Tax Increment Financing
Development, and all aspects of land use planning and development. Mr. Riffel formerly
served on the Kansas City, MO City Council.
Clinton O. Robinson is the director of community affairs and an associate vice president
of Black & Veatch Corporation, a leading global engineering, consulting, and
construction company. Robinson has worked for Black & Veatch Corporation, based in
Kansas City, for 27 years. He is an active member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the
National League of Cities, and the American Council of Engineering Companies. He
recently retired from serving eight years on the Blue Valley School Board. He also serves
on the Saint Luke’s South Hospital Board of Directors, the Community Foundation of
Johnson County, and The Chamber’s Johnson County Business Leadership Council.
Cici Rojas is vice president of community engagement for Truman Medical Centers,
where she provides direction an oversight for employee enrichment, community
relations, health and wellness, TMC innovation and the corporate academy. Ms. Rojas
has also served as president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater
Kansas City. Nationally, Ms. Rojas serves as chair for the Latino Coalition Foundation; a
member of the National Multi-cultural Advisory Council; a board member of MGM
Grand Hotel and Casino Corporation; and a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters
National Hispanic Advisory Board. In Kansas City, she is the chair of the Heartland
Women’s Leadership Council and serves on the boards of KCPT Public
Television/Channel 19, Minority Business
David Rowe is the senior advisor for policy in the Office of Mayor Sly James. He is
responsible for working with the Mayor and his Chief of Staff to implement, track, and
manage the administration’s policy initiatives. Prior to joining the office he worked in
public affairs and policy at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and has also worked
for the polling firm Peter D. Hart Research Associates in Washington, DC. He is a
graduate of Wake Forest University in North Carolina and received his law degree from
the University of Kansas.
The Honorable Michael David Sanders has served as the Jackson County Executive since
2007. Previous to that, he was elected Jackson County Prosecutor from 2002-2006.
Since taking office as County Executive in January 2007, he has worked to fundamentally
change the way Jackson County Government operates on a daily basis. Mr. Sanders and
his administration have limited the authority of the executive branch and worked
toward comprehensive ethics reform. Additionally, he has demanded that the county
live within its economic means by working within balanced budgets and stressed the
importance of regional collaboration. Mr. Sanders’ leadership has not gone
unrecognized. The Aspen Institute, an international non-profit organization based in
Washington D.C., selected him as a 2008 fellow in its national Rodel Fellowships in
Public Leadership program.
Troy Schulte is city manager for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. He has been with the
city since 1998, was named budget officer in 2003, was appointed acting city manager
by the mayor and city council in 2010, and was appointed city manager in 2011. Mr.
Schulte’s background also includes serving three years as city administrator for the City
of Marengo, Iowa, and two years as assistant director of the Benton Development
Group in Vinton, Iowa.
The Honorable Jim Schultz has been the Mayor Pro-tem of Independence, MO since
2010. Mr. Schultz has held the position of City Council member at-large since being
elected in 2006. He serves as chairman of the board of directors for the Mid-America
Regional Council. He also serves as the chairman of the board of directors for the BiState Commission. Mr. Schultz is a board member on the Independence Council for
Economic Development. Mr. Schultz is involved in the Independence: YMCA Community
Advisory Board, Kiwanis Club, and Hungry and Homeless Coalition. While not serving in
the Independence community, Mr. Schultz is a Shelter Insurance sales & service agent.
Jewel D. Scott is the executive director of The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City.
Previously, she served as city manager of Delaware, Ohio, in the city manager’s office in
Kansas City, Mo., and as a newspaper reporter. She is a fellow of the National Academy
of Public Administration. Ms. Scott is a member of the board of directors and the
executive committee of the Missouri Bioscience Association. She serves on the board of
the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association and is a member of the University of
Kansas Advancement Board.
Ron Shaffer is serving his fourth term as mayor of Prairie Village, Kan. A registered
architect in Kansas, Missouri, and 25 other states, Shaffer is principal of his firm, RLS
Architects. He is currently serving on the board of directors of the Mid-America Regional
Council as past chair and on the National Association of Regional Council board of
directors. He has been involved with many community-oriented boards and activities in
the metropolitan area. As well, he has been a member of Kiwanis International since
1975, where he has served in various leadership positions including governor of the
Missouri/Arkansas District.
Brenda Sharpe is the president and CEO of the REACH Healthcare Foundation. As the
Foundation’s first CEO, Sharpe worked closely with the board of directors to define and
establish an effective and transparent governance structure for the organization. Prior
to joining REACH, Ms. Sharpe worked in the non-profit service sector for nearly 15 years.
She is the former president and CEO of Sunflower House, where she led the
organization for 10 years.
Michael L. Short is managing director of Oppenheimer & Co Inc. Mr. Short focuses his
work on the firm’s government finance practice. He served ten years as Platte County
Commissioner, six years on the Park Hill Board of Education, was Chairman of the
Kansas-Missouri Metropolitan Cultural District Commission, served on the Kansas City
Metropolitan Arts Council, Northland United Way, and Citizens Association. He currently
serves as a commissioner on the KCATA and the Boards of Forward KC, St. Lukes
Northland Hospital and the Northland Community Foundation. In 2000, he was
recognized by Ingram’s Magazine as part of the 40 Under 40 Civic Leadership group. In
2004, he was recognized by the YMCA of Greater KC with the “Bridge Builder Award”.
Brad Smith is the Kansas City regional president of M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group.
He is responsible for driving financial and operational performance for the retail branch
network and business banking team. He also leads collaborative partnerships with both
the wealth and commercial banking teams for Kansas and Missouri. Mr. Smith is a
graduate of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; and the University of Louisville,
Louisville; Kentucky. He is a member of the Kansas City Area Development Council Board
of Directors. Mr. Smith has been actively involved with United Way for several years and
has helped create alternative banking solutions for the under-banked.
Laura Smith was appointed Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director in March
2005, and has over 22 years of local government experience in the region in both City
and County government. She is an International City/County Management Association
(ICMA) Credentialed City manager, and is a member of ICMA, the Kansas Association of
City Managers and the Government Finance Officers Association. Laura has a bachelor
of arts in political science and a master’s in public administration from the University of
Kansas.
Michael Sommers of BalancePoint Companies has 20 years of deep industry experience
focusing on high-end professional services in business operations and technology.
Michael was instrumental in the founding, business development, and growth of several
highly successful companies prior to BalancePoint, and these previous business
experiences provided Michael with extensive and varied industry knowledge, which is
currently being applied to the benefit and success of BalancePoint Companies. Mr.
Sommers is responsible for product, service, and business development, delivery, and
marketing. He is ultimately accountable for vision, strategy, and execution in the
marketplace. Mr. Sommers is also active in the philanthropic community, and serves on
Boards of Advisors/Directors.
Rebecca Spexarth is the director of Economic Development at the Kansas State
University Institute for Commercialization, where she leads the organization’s
partnership with Knowledge-Based Economic Development, LLC in Manhattan, KS. Ms.
Spexarth focuses on recruiting and expanding businesses that have a research
relationship with Kansas State University. Prior to joining the Institute for
Commercialization, she worked in marketing, sales, and corporate retail planning. She
received her bachelor's degree in Marketing, Spanish, and Leadership Studies at Kansas
State University.
Dennis Strait is the managing principal for the Kansas City office of Gould Evans, a
national design firm with offices in Lawrence, Tampa, Phoenix and San Francisco. Gould
Evans provides architectural design, landscape design, interior design, planning, and
graphic design services to a wide range of clients. Current projects include Cerner’s
west campus and new academic buildings for Rockhurst University and William Jewell
College. Dennis is a registered architect and landscape architect with degrees from the
University of Texas and Oklahoma State University.
The Honorable Mike Talboy is Burns & McDonnell ‘s first director of governmental
affairs. Talboy serves as Burns & McDonnell's liaison with local, state, and federal
officials in the support of the firm's related business units. Talboy has served in the
Missouri House since 2006, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become the topranking Democrat after his fourth year in office. He has been involved in local and
national politics since 2001.
Robert Thompson joined Bryan Cave in 1990 and currently serves as its managing
partner of the Kansas City office. He is a member of the firm’s commercial litigation and
class action client service groups. Mr. Thompson focuses his practice in the area of
complex commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. He is listed in Best
Lawyers in America; “Best of the Bar” in the Kansas City Business Journal; Benchmark:
Litigation 2010; and in Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers. Among other community
involvements, Mr. Thompson serves on the Board of the Missouri Institute of Justice
and is a member of the Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee for the Missouri Bar.
Lori Tinkler, MBA, is the chief operating officer of the National Board for Respiratory
Care and its subsidiary, Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc., in Olathe, Kan. Ms.
Tinkler has been with NBRC/AMP for over 21 years. She has been active in volunteer
leadership roles for a variety of organizations and currently serves as the chair of the
board of directors for the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Tinkler is a parent liaison
to the Blue Valley Education Foundation and a key communicator for the Blue Valley
School District, and was recently appointed as a board member of the Johnson County
Community College Foundation. In 2008, she was named one of the top 25 Women Who
Mean Business by the Kansas City Business Journal.
Brenda Tinnen was named senior vice president and general manager of Sprint
Center/AEG-KC on Nov. 29, 2005, by Timothy J. Leiweke President & CEO of AEG. Under
Ms. Tinnen’s leadership Sprint Center earned three consecutive Venue of the Year
nominations from Pollstar Magazine and a nomination for 2009 & 2010 Venue of the
Year by the Academy of Country Music. In POLLSTAR’s 2010 Year End Issue, Sprint
Center earned the #13 spot among the Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues and #5 among
US arenas. As a live industry veteran, Ms. Tinnen has served in various capacities for
industry organizations including a current stint on the board of the International
Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA).
Cathy Tisdale is president/CEO of Camp Fire USA. Cathy began her career as an educator
and then spent 27 years with the American Red Cross serving in a variety of leadership
roles. In 2007, Ms. Tisdale joined Girl Scouts of the USA National Headquarters and led
the successful, groundbreaking consolidation of 312 councils to 112 completing the
effort ahead of schedule. In 2010, Cathy was appointed president and CEO of Camp Fire
USA. In 2011, she was named “Woman of the Year” by the National Assoc. of Women
Professionals. In addition, Ms. Tisdale was appointed chair, National Collaboration on
Youth. In 2012, she was elected to the National Board of Directors for the Nonprofit
Leadership Alliance as well as the Human Services Assembly.
Jay C. Tomlinson is founding principal and owner of Helix Architecture + Design. His
work with visionary clients who, like him, are committed to the continued vitality of the
urban core has contributed to the recent $6-billion revitalization of downtown Kansas
City. He has led more than 40 renovation projects, several of them combining LEEDcertification criteria with both federal and state historic tax credits. Mr. Tomlinson has
served as president and board member of the Charlotte Street Foundation and
president of the Friends of Art of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. Mr. Tomlinson’s
design work has been published nationally and recognized with local and regional design
awards.
Rick Usher is the assistant city manager for entrepreneurship & small business at the
City of Kansas City, Mo. He serves as the liaison to the City Council's Special Committee
on Small Business. In this capacity, he works with city departments and its private sector
partners to establish a business-friendly customer service culture in City Hall. An integral
part of this effort is KC BizCare, the city’s business customer service center. KC BizCare
is focused on supporting entrepreneurs and small business with easily accessible City
services, business intelligence data, reliable infrastructure and business networking
connections. He serves as the the city’s Google Fiber project manager and is engaged
with collaborative community efforts to ensure the successful deployment,
implementation, and use of the Google Fiber network.
Councilman Scott Wagner represents the 1st District, at large, on the Kansas City,
Missouri, City Council. He began his professional career as marketing director of the City
Market in 1995 and has continued his public service for agencies across the Kansas City
area. Councilman Wagner’s volunteer work includes terms as board chair for agencies
such as the Stop Violence Coalition and the Coro Kansas City Internship Program. He
completed three terms as president of the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association and
vice-president of the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Councilman Wagner
is a board member of the Greater Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association,
Neighbor To Neighbor, the Baptist-Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation, and the Cliff
Drive Corridor Management Committee. He is also a member of the Northland Regional
Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club 13.
E-mail: [email protected]; Phone: 816-513-6503, ext. 6504
Kevin Wallace is the associate vice president for the Kansas City Mo., office of HNTB,
which also serves as headquarters for the architect-engineer. Mr. Wallace is focusing on
clients in the Kansas City area as well as those in proximity to HNTB offices in St. Louis
and Omaha. Since joining HNTB in 1992, Mr. Wallace has overseen several large
interchange projects.
Carolyn Watley is president of CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of Kansas City. CBIZ
provides employee management consulting, financial management, and technology
services. The company provides its clients an entire portfolio of integrated business
services in employee management and financial management including employee
benefits consulting; retirement plan consulting; wealth management; benefits
technology; risk management; payroll; human resources consulting; tax, business
planning, succession planning, and accounting services.
E-mail: [email protected]; Phone 913-234-1715
W. Russell Welsh has been chairman and CEO of Polsinelli Shughart PC since 1998. Mr.
Welsh has guided the firm through strategic growth that has positioned Polsinelli
Shughart PC as a leading business and litigation law firm. During his leadership, the firm
increased from 90 attorneys to more than 600. Polsinelli Shughart was named one of
the fastest growing law firms in the U.S., and is among the 100 largest firms in the
nation. Under Welsh, the firm’s geographic presence has grown to include offices in
Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.
In addition to leading the firm, Mr. Welsh's civic involvement includes service on the
boards of directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the
Community Blood Center. He is chairman of the board of Starlight Theatre and chair
elect of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
At Global Prairie, Alex Wendel leads the firm’s Corporate Communications and Public
Affairs practice group. He provides strategic counsel and support to clients with a
specific focus on issues/crisis communications and reputation management. He was part
of the team that recently worked to pass Kansas City Questions 1 and 2 and has a broad
background of client service experience, particularly in the areas of energy, food,
healthcare, government, transportation and financial services. Alex currently serves on
the boards of the Charlotte Street Foundation, Greater Kansas City LISC and the
Salvation Army. He is also a 2007 graduate of The Chamber’s Centurions Program. Prior
to moving to Kansas City in 2002, he was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Russian Far
East.
J. Michael Wilkes is city manager for City of Olathe, Kansas. Since arriving in Olathe,
Michael has been involved in several community activities. Mr. Wilkes is a current
member of the Santa Fe Trail Rotary Club; a member of the executive committee of the
Olathe Chamber of Commerce Board and the Olathe Economic Development Council; a
member of the Olathe Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Council; and also serves
on the National Board for the Alliance for Innovation. Mr. Wilkes was recognized with
the 2007 Olathe Character Council, Character Award for City Government.
E-mail: [email protected]; Phone: 913-971-8940.
Calvin Williford is chief of staff for Jackson County, Missouri. Working closely with
Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders, he oversees economic development,
emergency management and homeland security, communications, public information,
special projects, and the legislative agenda for the county in both Washington, D.C., and
Jefferson City. With a strong interest in the issue of alcoholism and other addictions, Mr.
Williford served as vice president of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
information for the Kansas City, Missouri School District and special assistant to County
Executive Sanders when the executive served as Jackson County prosecutor.
Randy Wisthoff is executive director and CEO of the Kansas City Zoo. Mr. Wisthoff
worked at the highly regarded Henry Doorly Zoo for 26 years before relocating to Kansas
City. Since 2006, Mr. Wisthoff has made several improvements at the zoo totaling more
than $38 million in capital improvements, including the African sky safari and sea lion
pool renovations. He is a member of president’s council for the National World War I
Museum, the advisory council for Hartsook & Associates, and the CEO roundtable for
The Chamber. Mr. Wisthoff is also involved with The Arts Council of Metropolitan
Kansas City and Downtown Rotary Club 13.
Hannes Zacharias is county manager for the Johnson County Government. He joined the
county’s management team in 2001 as assistant county manager and was promoted to
deputy county manager in 2005. His most recent appointment became effective in
2009. Mr. Zacharias’ career in public service began in 1980 when he served as associate
director and chief grants officer for the Kansas Arts Commission before becoming
assistant to the city manager for the City of Lawrence, Kansas in 1984. He was named
the city administrator for Boonville, Missouri, in 1988, and moved to Hays, Kansas, in
1992 to serve as city manager for eight years before assuming his duties in Johnson
County Government.
Michael Zeller serves as chief development officer for Kansas City Public
Television/Channel 19. He has served as a geography instructor at the University of
Missouri-Columbia. Following this, Mr. Zeller developed and led business-negotiation
courses for management at BMW headquarters in Munich, Germany. Concurrent to
this, he developed a marketing and distribution network across Poland, Hungary, and
the Czech Republic for the western German office supply firm, Verbindungs. He serves
as vice president of the board of directors for Académie Lafayette French Immersion
Charter School.
Notes
The Chamber would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous
support of the 2012 Leadership Exchange to Austin and their commitment to
bringing regional leaders together to consider opportunities for improving the
vibrant Greater Kansas City region.

Delegate Biographies - Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

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