kc chamber newsletter business - Greater Kansas City Chamber of

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BUSINESS
KC C H A M B E R N E W S L E T T E R
CENTURIONS
Learn. Serve. Lead.
JOHN BLUFORD
A Conversation
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Expanding Our Ecosystem
PRESIDENT & CEO'S
POINT OF VIEW
If it’s May, it must be the KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration – our 27th and one of
the largest and, I think, the best in the nation.
We’re doing things a little differently this year. Mark your calendar for May 15 and join
us in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center for the Celebration’s grand
finale – the Top 10 CEO Panel and Awards Luncheon. The Top 10 Small Business CEOs will
share their stories of challenge and success, and their plans for the future in what is always
a fascinating panel discussion. One of the ten will take home the Mr. K Award as the Small
Business of the Year – joining a long list of successful small businesses that started ‘back in
the day’ with Cerner. (Yes, they were once a small business!)
Congratulations to the 2013 Top 10 Small Businesses – they’re already winners: A.L.
Huber; Arsalon Technologies; Coleman Industrial; Copaken Brooks; Data Locker; Duracomm; IDD Instore Design Display; Meers Advertising; Retina Associates; and Technology
Group Solutions.
In addition to the Mr. K Award, we’ll also announce the winners of three new awards for
Legacy Business, Diverse Business, and Aspirational Entrepreneur of the Year. We’ve added
those new categories to cast our net a little wider and include companies that fit a different
small business niche.
The three new awards also reflect overall changes in the chamber’s small business programming. We’ve revamped and greatly expanded what we used to call our Small Business
Council. Today, it’s the Small, Diverse & Emerging Small Business Council, with subcommittees focusing on traditional as well as diverse and emerging small businesses. Matt Condon,
head of ARC Physical Therapy + and a past winner of the Mr. K Award, chairs the council.
Subcommittee Chairs include Linda Hanson, Enterprise Bank & Trust, for Traditional Small
Businesses; Joab Ortiz, Burns & McDonnell, Diverse Businesses; and Jack Hayhow, Opus,
for Emerging Businesses.
At the KC Chamber, we believe small business is a BIG deal. Visit our website at
kcchamber.com and check out all the education, networking, and cost-saving benefits we
offer. And while you’re there, don’t forget to reserve your seat for the May 15 Small Business
Celebration Top 10 CEO Panel and Awards Luncheon. We’d love to have you join us.
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JAMES A. HEETER
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CO N T E N T S
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CENTURIONS
Learn. Serve. Lead.
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JOHN BLUFORD
A Conversation
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Improving the Ecosystem
10
FACES & PLACES
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12
NEW MEMBERS
Milestone Anniversaries,
Board of Advisors and Leadership Circle
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On the cover: KC Chamber Centurions participate annually in
Greater Kansas City Day, the day of the Royals' home opener, selling
newspapers to raise money for local charities benefiting kids. This
year the Centurion corners raised $6,500 in two hours. Centurions
Darren Prenger, ECCO Select Corporation; Megan Day, Children’s
Mercy Hospital and Clinics; and Frank Koranda, SNR Denton, were
photographed by Roger Ridpath.
GOOD NEWS
Jackson County Healthy Corner Stores
Bringing healthier food choices to the region
Not all residents in the Kansas City area have easy access to healthy
foods. People living in these “food deserts” — areas with limited access
to affordable and nutritious food, often in lower-income neighborhoods
— often lack food sources, financial means and sufficient information to
properly nourish themselves. Many rely on more readily available fast
food or other convenience foods for the bulk of their diet. This can lead
to poor eating habits, obesity, diabetes and other health problems.
The three local public health departments that serve Jackson
County, Mo., have partnered with the Mid-America Regional Council to
create the Jackson County Healthy Corner Store initiative to encourage
local “corner stores” to stock fresh, healthy foods. The University of Missouri Extension and MORE2 are other community partners supporting
the program. A Healthy Corner Store team will meet with area store
owners to recommend healthy foods and beverages to add to their inventory, connect them with distributors, and provide promotional materials
and support.
Participating Healthy Corner Store merchants will have fresh fruits
and vegetables available at least once a week, and to regularly stock
canned and/or frozen fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole-grain
products and healthy beverages and snacks. They will be encouraged to
accept food stamps and display promotional and nutritional information.
Participating stores will also offer cooking demonstrations using fresh
fruits and vegetables, recipe cards for healthy dishes and will survey
their customers about their food habits and preferences.
The Healthy Corner Stores project is part of a larger initiative, Building a Healthier Jackson County, in partnership with the Kansas City, Mo.,
Independence and the Jackson County health departments. The program
addresses policy and environmental changes to help prevent chronic
diseases, and is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Building a Healthier Jackson County addresses tobacco-free
living, active living and healthy eating, increased use of high-impact
quality preventive services, and a safe and supportive built environment.
Visit www.marc.org/community/healthierjacksonco/index.htm for more
information.
The KC Chamber is pleased to be a partner with 66 other regional
organizations and governments in a special grant program to prepare
for sustainable redevelopment in some of the region’s most visible and
promising corridors. The KC Chamber’s role in the $4 million Creating
Sustainable Places initiative is to engage and inform the regional
business community about sustainable redevelopment opportunities
and resources.
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Centurions:
Learn. Serve. Lead. The three pillars of the Centurions Leadership Program simply outline the purpose,
but ask the people involved in the leadership program
that’s been leaving its mark on Kansas City for more than
three decades, and they’ll tell you it’s so much more.
In the greater Kansas City community, Centurions are
recognized for leadership and expertise. The two-year
program is focused on personal and professional growth,
building community awareness through civic opportunities, and community issues that affect Greater Kansas City.
“When you look at Centurions, the adjective that
comes to mind is ‘amazing’. The group is really an impressive collection of folks,” said Seft Hunter, director of
sponsored programs and research compliance at Kansas
City University of Medicine and Biosciences and Centu-
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rions Class of 2014.
“Centurions is one of the premier programs of the KC
Chamber,” said Jim Heeter, president and chief executive
officer of the KC Chamber. “Members find themselves in
the good company of some of our community’s key leaders and have a vital role in the future of Kansas City.”
Established in 1976, the mission is to prepare a representative cross-section of the community’s emerging
leaders for their role in shaping the future of Greater
Kansas City. Task forces include topics such as politics
and elections, the history of Kansas City, tourism, sports,
and health and wellness.
“For me, Centurions was a unique, eye-opening opportunity to learn more about the complex issues facing
metropolitan Kansas City, to appreciate the breadth of
Getting Involved, and Giving Back
community service organizations that serve the metro,
and to get involved in causes and programs that matter,”
said Dan Cranshaw, partner with Lathrop & Gage, LLP,
member of the KC Chamber Board of Directors, and
Centurions Class of 2011. “More than that, Centurions
exposed me to new friends and colleagues outside of my
typical circle, creating new relationships and business
opportunities.”
Centurions recognize that leadership means giving back to others. Each class participates in a legacy
project, leaving the community better than Centurions
found it. In 2012-2013, Learn, Grow, Give resulted in the
construction of a living classroom that produced food for
donation to people in need. Other projects since 2007
include a scholarship fund at Metropolitan Community
College, “adoption” of MLK Elementary, and a Habitat for
Humanity home. Centurions alumni traditionally raise
funds for the active class’ project through the Centurions
Legacy Golf Tournament.
“It’s exceeded my expectations. It’s shown me there
are so many opportunities for service I wasn’t aware of.
I’ve learned of new organizations. It’s my favorite aspect
of Centurions. I’m unaware of a better organization to
be a part of if you want to serve KC. The opportunities
are endless, and you couldn’t do it with a greater group
of people,” said Tariq Abdullah, general counsel, compliance officer, and assistant secretary at Kansas Bioscience
Authority and Centurions Class of 2014.
Centurions is open to anyone whose employer is a
member of the KC Chamber. Applicants are selected on
the basis of proven professional success and community
engagement, as demonstrated through a written application, recommendations, and personal interviews. The
program selects a group of men and women from diverse
ethnic and professional backgrounds, each with strong
potential as a future community leader.
“This program exposes actives to leaders, both
current leaders, historic leaders, successful organizations,” said John Teasdale, benefits consultant at Haake
Companies and Centurions Class of 2013. “Without this
program, that kind of access doesn’t exist. I think the
program itself is set up in such a way that participants
are asked to step up and lead.”
“The goal is to put the best and brightest in a room,
expose them to issues, and let them be passionate and
raise their own issues and engage with speakers,” said
Nicole Howell, associate attorney with Ogletree Deakins
Nash Smoak & Stewart, P.C and Centurions Class of
2011. “That structure and flexibility lets people lead the
way.”
Alumni of the program go on to serve on nonprofit
boards, run for public office, and otherwise step into
leadership roles in the interest of making Greater Kansas
City a great place to live and work. Alumni include Mike
Burke, partner at King Hershey and co-chair of the Mayors’ Bi-State Innovations Team; Kansas City, Missouri 3rd
District Councilman Russ Johnson; Hon. Terri Harmon,
member of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School Board; Tyrone
Flowers, founder of Higher M-Pact; and Mary Heinrich,
vice president at Fleishman Hillard, Inc., recipient of
KC Chamber’s ATHENA Young Professional Leadership
Award.
Centurions alumni who now serve on KC Chamber’s
Board of Directors include Dan Cranshaw, partner at
Lathrop & Gage LLP; Rick Kahle, president at Lockton
Benefit Companies LLC; and Ora Reynolds, president
of Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development, Inc. A longer
list of alumni and a complete list of active Centurions is
available online at www.centurions.org.
“The thing that amazes me is we’ve recruited the best
in Kansas City, as far as being leaders in their organizations,” said Jodi Robinson, director at CBIZ and Centurions Class of 2013. “It’s energizing for me to be around
this group and inspiring for me to go back to my organization to talk about what I’m learning and get people
excited about leadership in KC.”
The deadline for Centurions applications is June 3,
2013. Potential applicants are invited to attend upcoming
information sessions to learn more about the program and
application process. Event registration and program applications are available online at www.centurions.org.
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Centurions Information Session
Thursday, May 9, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Arrowhead Stadium Penthouse-One Arrowhead Drive
Kansas City, MO 64129
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A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H :
John Bluford
President and CEO, Truman Medical Centers
“Everything matters.” That’s the two-word mantra
of Truman Medical Centers CEO John Bluford. It’s the
philosophy he put in place when he arrived at TMC 14
years ago - and it has paid off. To a visitor familiar with
TMC-Hospital Hill, the difference is palpable. The
grim, dingy and limited facility of 15 years ago is now
warm, welcoming, and state-of-the-art. Art itself plays
a healing role, with paintings, photography, and textile
arts lining the corridors and waiting rooms.
Ask Bluford what he’s proudest of, and he answers,
“Generically, it’s the culture change. Internal perception has changed as well as external. All of which
points to a realization and recognition that our institution is a valuable community asset and does good work.
That’s the big picture…”
He continues, “At a more micro, pragmatic level, I
look at things like our partnership with US Bank, with
Walgreens, with Cerner, and with Morrison’s Foods, as
being critically important because those elements and
products deal with people at a very basic, individual
level and it changes lives.”
There have also been the capital improvement
projects, which, Bluford says, “are important and visible, but the difference-maker is in changing lives and
that’s what I resonate to - for our patients, our staff
and our community.”
TMC’s planned grocery store at 27th & Troost obviously resonates with TMC’s CEO. The new 35,000
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square foot grocery, he says, “is another step in the
evolution from one-on-one patient encounters to
overall concern for the health of the community, from
patient-centric to neighborhood and community-centric. If the goal is about health and wellness, then
hospitals by definition must get outside the walls of
the building and create a health and wellness environment in the community.
“If you look at TMC’s patient base (which is not going to be materially different by diagnosis), over 56 percent of our patients suffer from diabetes, hypertension,
obesity, congestive heart failure, asthma, and sickle cell
anemia. If you look at that list, so much of the problem
stems from lack of good nutrition. So a natural solution
to the problem would be food-related offerings.” Hence
the grocery store.
Others are watching, Bluford says. “We’re on national notice in the industry to see how this plays out. It
makes so much sense but no one else is doing it.”
The $11.5 million project will help bring quality,
healthy choices to the urban core – located in the KC
Chamber’s Big 5 Urban Neighborhood Initiative target
area. “We hope to have a first-class grocery store
offering on Troost that will serve as a beacon of health
and wellness as well as generate a micro-economy in
that space. It’s very supportive of and aligned with the
chamber’s UNI project. I’m very excited.”
Ask him for his thoughts about the Affordable Care
Act, and Bluford says, “It’s really heightened the healthcare system literacy of the general population”, he says.
“It’s raised the consciousness of the cost of care and
issues associated with care. Would you have thought
we’d be talking about things like taking sodas out of
schools or demanding that fast food outlets produce
healthier options, wearing FitBits, challenging one another in weight loss contests? Without the conversation,
we would not make meaningful change in a complex
system. As more people understand, we have a better
chance of changing our health care status as individuals
and as a nation.”
That, Bluford says, “if we’re lucky and we do it right,
it could lead to a healthier community a generation
from now.”
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2013
Small Business
Celebration
Meet the Top 10… and our Award Winners!
Top 10 CEO Panel and Mr. K Awards Luncheon
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Grand Ballroom, Kansas City Convention Center
16th and Wyandotte
Chamber members: $45
Non-members: $55
Hear the stories of the KC Chamber’s Top 10 Small Businesses, as their CEOs discuss
how their companies got started, how they have grown, how they’ve engaged their
employees and maintained their workforce, and their commitment to community
service. One Top 10 company will take home the coveted Mr. K Award, named for
entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Kauffman – at this event, you’ll find out which
one, and why. You’ll also learn the identities of our first-ever Aspirational Entrepreneur,
Legacy of Kansas City, and Diverse Small Business of the Year award winners. Contact
Sarah Dyerson about purchasing a table, [email protected].
Register online at www.kcchamber.com;
call (816) 374-5492 for more information
Small Business Celebration
Presenting Sponsor:
Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor:
Small Business Celebration
Platinum Sponsor:
Awards Luncheon Gold Sponsor:
Awards Luncheon
Silver Sponsor:
At your service.®
Candidates’ Showcase
Silver Sponsors:
Nomination Kickoff Presenting Sponsor
& Candidate Showcase Gold Sponsor:
Top 10 Announcement Presenting Sponsor:
Print Sponsor:
Legacy of Kansas City
Award Sponsor:
Top 10 CEO Panel
Presenting Sponsor:
Aspirational Entrepreneur
Award Presenting Sponsor:
Top 10 CEO Panel Gold Sponsor:
Media Sponsors:
®
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Nurturing Entrepreneurs
Ron Green: Owner, CEO Name of Business: GovVentures Consulting
Contact name(s): Ron Green
Phone #: (816) 804‐5917
Email: [email protected]
GovVentures Consulting helps businesses to tap into a wide range of resources available from government programs. These include workforce grants, tax credits, and collaborative university research programs. Ron is also in the early stages of launching a start‐up business involving digital storytelling. 2013 Access for Entrepreneurs participants.
In addition to his for‐profit ventures, Ron is working to advance the digital storytelling industry in Kansas City and the Central Midwest. He is partnering with Hallmark, the University of Missouri, local community colleges and area development agencies to establish the Heart of America Center for Digital Storytelling. The vision for this non‐profit organization is to make our region “the Hollywood of short, digital narrative production.” Brief Bio: Ron provided years of leadership in innovation initiatives and innovation training for Hallmark Cards, Inc. before retiring in August of 2012. He founded Hallmark’s “Creative U” training program and led development initiatives to transform Hallmark’s creative workforce from conventional artists and writers to digital savvy designers and storytellers. During this process he developed expertise in partnering with universities and government development agencies to expand opportunities for a business’s internal development and innovation. Mike Farmer (Co‐Founder, CEO) Ron is a graduate of Ottawa University and earned his M.B.A. degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University.
P
Leap2, LLC is a Kansas City, KS based entrepreneurial venture comprised of a dedicated team supp
erhaps one of Kansas
City’s most famed entrepre- location for launching and expanding innovative,
investors, advisers and partners. Leap2 delivers instant web, social, news, local and image search neurs put it best. “The way to get started is to quit high-growth companies. It means creating America’s
with search alerts, Leap2 can monitor your query and continue to deliver relevant and timely resu
talking and begin doing,”
said cartoonist Walt
most comprehensive and effective entrepreneurial
you want.Keeping up with news, weather, sports, events or any frequently changing information Disney. And over the past year, the KC Chamber has
ecosystem, and that necessitates systemic change for
heeded that advice, following
the strong example set by
this community.
easier. All you do is SEARCH IT, then LEAP IT! Mike has worked with new technology ventures at t
the likes of Disney, Joyce Hall,
Ewing Marion Kauffman,
“This is a long-term, cultural investment that is tied
management level for CAP CO2, LLC (Wichita, KS), kozoru, inc. (Kansas City, MO), Aristotle Interna
James Stowers, and so many
others
who
prove
entrepreto
our
identity as a community,” said Peter deSilva,
Francisco, CA), Etak‐TeleAtlas (Menlo Park, CA), and Rand McNally Corporation (San Francisco, CA
neurship is home-grown in entrepreneurial career, Mike has co‐founded four new ventures, raised millions of dollars in early
Kansas City.
champion of this Big 5 initiative and president and
In 2011, the KC Chamber
launched
the
Big
5
goal
chief operating officer at UMB Bank. “It’s one thing to
authored or coauthored 10 patents, and strategically led the development of a 10 year $600 millio
of making Kansas City “America’s Most Entrepreneurdeclare our region’s belief in this vision – but you have
technology‐based economic development initiative. Mike has an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechn
to back it up. We are creating a national and global
ial City,” and since then there’s been no looking back.
School of Technology and Management, achieving the W. Franklin Spafford Award of Highest Dist
identity for entrepreneurship.”
This Big 5 effort is, in a sense, a startup itself. The
Academic Achievement. As a Robert Bozzone Fellow, Mike's graduate concentrations included: in
vision: to gain global recognition for KC as a premier
That’s being accomplished in a variety of ways. The
strategy, new product development and technological entrepreneurship. Mike currently serves on
Pat Roberts Science and Technology Advisory Board's, John O. Farmer, Inc. Board of Directors, and
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ntrepreneurs in Greater Kansas City
KC Chamber served as a sounding board in the crafting of federal legislation, known now as the Startup
Act 3.0 and has been an active advocate for its passage. Introduced by a bipartisan group including U.S.
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), the bill would improve
the environment for entrepreneurs by creating new
businesses, expanding existing companies, and creating jobs. Startups create an average of 3 million jobs
annually, according to the Kauffman Foundation. They
create products and services that change the way we
live and work. Laws and regulations impact the chances a startup will be successful. Startup Act 3.0 aims to
create pro-growth policies.
In January 2013, the KC Chamber launched Access
for Entrepreneurs. The year-long program connects
high potential entrepreneurs with corporate, civic, and
entrepreneurial leaders in the community. Participants
receive advice, assistance, and connections to help
build their businesses. CEOs tap into the energy and
ideas of Kansas City’s most dynamic entrepreneurs. The
idea came out of the chamber’s Small Business Council
Emerging Business Subcommittee as the group worked
to position the KC Chamber and its resources in the
most productive way to contribute to entrepreneurs and
the entire community.
“Local entrepreneurs are poised for big success and
we believe that giving startups access to top Chamber
leaders will accelerate their growth,” said Cameron
Cushman, with the Kauffman Foundation. “We want the
corporate community to be ready to celebrate that success and prove it can be done here in Kansas City.”
Serving as convener is a natural fit for the chamber.
“This is about cross-pollination,” said Jack Hayhow,
subcommittee chair and chief executive officer at Opus.
“Big companies don’t have access to startup ideas.
Entrepreneurs don’t have access to that kind of counsel.
The KC Chamber can help, and is uniquely positioned to
engage and connect senior leaders and startups.”
The 13 entrepreneurs of the inaugural class are ready
to serve as the example.
“This is a great opportunity to meet some of Kansas
City’s leading CEOs and founders and hear their stories
of success,” said Jessica Bishop, of Klink Mobile Inc.
“I hope to gain further insights and knowledge of the
Kansas City leadership community and also the resources available to entrepreneurs. Learning from others is
great and making new friends, mentors, colleagues, and
community leaders is always a plus.”
“There are some entrepreneurs who can operate in a
vacuum, but, for the most part, you need other people,”
said entrepreneur Jeremy Eccles, of Rade|Eccles . “By
doing things like this, the KC Chamber helps us connect
with the larger community. The Access for Entrepreneurs program offers relationships with business leaders,
a chance to meet other entrepreneurs, and a way to grow
my business as a result of those connections. This kind
of program shows important change and I’m excited for
what’s to come.”
While Access for Entrepreneurs targets just one
group of entrepreneurs, there are hundreds more
in the Kansas City community. Events like the iKC
Innovation Conference, in collaboration with the KC
Chamber and Think Big Partners, allow for wider
inclusion, and a means to advance the growth of the
entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Now more than ever, we have to continue the dialogues that have been started between entrepreneurs
and innovators, the large companies and small companies, and the established thought leaders and the emerging thought disruptors to build the future of Kansas City,”
said Herb Sih, managing partner at Think Big Partners.
With approximately 60 media impressions over the
past year, some of them national headlines, it’s clear this
Big 5 initiative and other supporting efforts, are taking
local entrepreneurs to the next level. Look out, Walt.
Kansas City’s illustrating success.
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FACES & PLACES
Highlighting Chamber organizations and people making KC grow.
Kansas budget
KCMO Committee
Startup Act
Patrick Fucik, Sprint; Barbara Langer,
On March 26, city department leaders discussed policy and
Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran joked with
KU Medical Center; Kansas Representative
budget issues with the KC Chamber’s KCMO Committee.
Kenny Wilk, University of Kansas Hospital,
Barbara Bollier; Kansas Secretary of Reve-
Speakers included John Wood (assistant city manager for
and Gina Bowman, CVR Energy, after an
nue Nick Jordan; and Kansas Senator Julia
neighborhoods), KCMO Committee Chair Andy McCaskill of
April 3 Federal Affairs Committee meeting
Lynn lingered after the March Kansas State
Burns & McDonnell, Sherri McIntyre (assistant city manager
where he discussed the national debt, health-
Affairs meeting to talk about the House and
for infrastructure and public works director), Councilman John
care costs and his work to provide incentives
Senate budget bills for FY2014. The House
Sharp, Oscar McGaskey Jr. (director of conventions and
for entrepreneurs through the Startup Act
and Senate are having trouble agreeing on
entertainment facilities), and Robert Langenkamp (assistant
3.0. The KC Chamber hosted a leadership
the tax budget bills and have adjourned until
city manager and director of city planning and development).
dinner for Senator Moran the night before,
the veto session begins May 8.
where the Senator thanked the KC Chamber
for support of the Startup Act and its work to
nurture area entrepreneurs.
KC to Jeff City
Candidates’ Showcase
The KC Chamber, City of Kansas City, MO, and Civic Council of Greater Kansas City led a delegation to Jeffer-
On March 21, the candidates for Small Business of
son City on March 4 to speak with a unified voice on local priority issues including tax credit reform, workers’
the Year and the KC Chamber’s three new awards
compensation, and a statewide bonding package to address capital improvement and economic development
gathered for networking in Union Station’s Sprint
needs. The discussions included (l to r) Chamber Chair Russ Welsh of Polsinelli Shughart, Majority Floor
Festival Plaza. The Small Business Celebration
Leader John Diehl, Mayor Sly James, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo, Chamber
Candidates’ Showcase event connected nearly 700
President and CEO Jim Heeter, Civic Council Executive Director Jewel Scott, and Senate President Pro
business leaders with small businesses like Ad-
Tem Tom Dempsey.
amsGabbert, represented by Jen Regas, Denise
Kruse, Stacy Rose, and Greg Holmes.
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KC Chamber Cost-Saving Benefits
Take advantage of these special discounts and you could save enough to pay for your membership.
Visit www.kcchamber.com for details.
Blue KC Exchange – Affordable Health Insurance for Small Businesses
Blue KC Exchange, created by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC), increases choice
and affordability in health plans for employers and employees and offers the ease and convenience of
an online shopping experience, with the enhanced ability to compare rates of up to 10 different health
plans available through the Exchange. Blue KC Exchange is available online now at
www.BlueKCexchange.com.
Cable Dahmer Buying Program - Up to 33% off a new vehicle and 1% over cost on used
Through this program, your business will be able to take advantage of exclusive, no-hassle fleet pricing,
currently not available to the public, including two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, and
complimentary vehicle pick-up and loaner service. The Cable-Dahmer Automotive Group has hired a
team of non-commissioned account executives to work exclusively with you, your company, and your
employees. Their team guarantees that purchasing and servicing your vehicles will be convenient, while
also saving you and your employees up to 33% off the price of a new vehicle. Exclusive to KC Chamber
members. For more info, contact Adam Tobias – 816.588.2955 or [email protected].
CBIZ Payroll
CBIZ helps businesses grow and succeed by helping them better manage their finances and their
employees. CBIZ Payroll can help make your payroll processing run more smoothly. By combining the
latest in technology with the best in customized service, CBIZ can help you free up the time you spend
on payroll so you can focus more on your core business activities. Sign up at a special discounted rate,
thanks to your membership in The Chamber. To learn more, and to receive this exclusive discount,
please contact Lisa Theiss at (913) 234-1368 and visit www.cbiz.com/payroll.
EcoBizCheck Environmental Certification
The EcoBizCheck environmental certification program delivers a practical, low cost and fast system for
organizations of all sizes to dramatically reduce environmental impact, reduce expenses and receive independent verification of a sustainability program. Save 5% on EcoBizCheck through the KC Chamber;
visit http://app.ecobizcheck.com.
ScriptSave® - Prescription Drug Savings
You and your employees can receive a ScriptSave® card at NO COST to you and receive substantial
savings on brand name and generic prescriptions at over 62,000 participating pharmacies nationwide.
Your card also offers you savings on vision care, hearing care and daily living products. Download your
prescription savings card through www.kcchamber.com.
Staples – Save Big on Office Supplies, Furniture, Promotional Products and Printing
The discounts from Staples can more than offset your annual KC Chamber membership dues and leave
more money in your pocket! We’re proud to offer the overall savings and ease of ordering from Staples
Advantage. To sign up, visit www.kcchamber.com or contact Mark Calcote at (816) 504-2186,
[email protected].
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Call (713) 739-6428 or visit www.pro-e-solutions.com for details.
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KCC H A M B E R .CO M
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NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to these members who recently joined the KC Chamber.
Accountants
Institute of Management Accountants Kansas City Chamber
Stephen Platt
(816) 769-6456
www.kcima.org
Consultants–Management
Andrew Reise Consulting
Andrew Mattox
(913) 323-6899
FAX (888) 503-4107
www.andrewreise.com
Advertising
19 Below
Brad Slaughter
(816) 471-1019
FAX (816) 471-4445
www.19below.tv
Database Solutions
Data Locker Inc.
Shauna Park
(913) 310-9088
FAX (800) 858-4709
www.datalocker.com
Advertising
TurnBack Marketing
Jonathan Jobe
(913) 856-6166
FAX (913) 210-0124
www.turnbackmarketing.com
Digital/Interactive Marketing
Purk'd
Steve Gardner
(913) 461-0402
www.purkd.com
Energy Consulting
MC2 Consultants
Anne McGregor
(816) 308-8033
FAX (816) 561-9629
www.mc2consultantsllc.com
Attorneys
Dunn & Davison
Ronald L. Holt
(816) 292-7600
FAX (816) 292-7601
www.dunndavison.com
Attorneys
Dysart Taylor McMonigle & Montemore, P.C.
Michael J. Judy
(816) 931-2700
FAX (816) 931-7377
www.dysarttaylor.com
Automobile Dealers–New & Used
Van Autoplex
Deborah Essex
(816) 256-4879
FAX (816) 414-2998
www.vankc.com
Automotive Services
HushMat
Timothy McCarthy
(913) 599-2600
FAX (913) 599-2607
www.hushmat.com
Automotive Services
Stanley Tire & Automotive
Carina Hatton
(913) 239-8473
FAX (913) 239-8473
www.stanleytire.com
Bar or Night Club
Kill Devil Club
Scott Tipton
(816) 877-8312
www.killdevil.com
Computer Software Consultants
InterDyn BMI
Tim Lamkin
(913) 687-0620
www.interdynbmi.com
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KCC H A M B E R .CO M
Engineers
Antella Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Monica Santos
(816) 421-0950
FAX (816) 421-0950
www.antella-inc.com
Engineers
GBA
Michael L. Smith, P.E.
(913) 492-0400
FAX (913) 577-8200
www.gbateam.com
Engineers
TREKK Design Group, LLC
Kimberly Robinett
(816) 874-4655
FAX (816) 874-4675
Event Space
The Gallery Event Space
Amber Cansler
(816) 842-1045
FAX (816) 842-1047
Florists
Toblers Flowers
Brian Auckland
(816) 241-6150
FAX (816) 241-4767
www.toblersflorist.com
Healthcare Consulting
Kansas Health Information Network
Laura McCrary
(785) 861-7490
www.khinonline.com
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Hearing Aids
Creative Hearing Solutions
Bruce Nagel
(816) 326-8811
Hotels/Motels
Best Western Premier KC Speedway Inn
& Suites
Annie McGinnis
(913) 334-4440
FAX (913) 334-4441
Hotels/Motels
Hampton Inn - Worlds of Fun
Robert Kreicbergs
(816) 452-1010
FAX (816) 453-7000
Hotels/Motels
Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza
Robert Leyva
(913) 980-3721
www.hotelsorell-countryclubplaza.com
Janitorial Supplies & Equipment
Bullseye International SDVOB, Inc
Gary Walker
(816) 554-2358
FAX (816) 554-9283
www.buybullseye.com
Landscape Designers
Tidewater Landscape Management, Inc.
Joseph Aaron
(913) 290-0124
www.tidewaterusa.com
Large Format Printing
PrintSurfaces
Kathy Hamilton-Dix
(816) 213-4357
www.printsurfaces.net
Lofts
KC Loft Space, Fairway Management
Wanda Villines
(816) 474-5638
kcloftspace.com
Marketing & Brand Strategy
Stark Collective
Kris Flint
(816) 759-2719
www.starkcollective.com
Marketing Consultants
Alight Analytics
Michelle Jacobs
(816) 359-3305
FAX (816) 442-8470
www.alightanalytics.com
Marketing Services
Surmount Studios
Catalina Campos
(816) 805-1890
www.surmountstudios.com
Medical Centers
Mitchell Chiropractic & Wellness Center
Sara Mitchell
(913) 231-9774
www.drsarachiropractic.com
Metal Fabricators
Metal Panels, Inc.
Jimmy Johnsonn
(913) 766-7200
FAX (913) 766-7201
www.metalpanelsinc.com
Non-Profits & Small Businesses
Episcopal Community Services
Arthur Diaz
(816) 561-8920 Ext:1
FAX (816) 561-4939
www.episcopalcommunity.org
Non-Profits & Small Businesses
International Association of Fire
Fighters Local 42
Michael Cambiano
(816) 358-4222
FAX (816) 358-8383
www.iaff.org
Non-Profits & Small Businesses
Kauffman Scholars, Inc.
Halley Chapman
(816) 932-1240
FAX (816) 751-6752
www.kauffmanscholars.org
Non-Profits & Small Businesses
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri
LuAnn Bott
(913) 341-9474
FAX (913) 341-9479
www.mo.wish.org
Non-Profits & Small Businesses
PKD Foundation
Angela Connelly
(816) 931-2600
FAX (816) 931-8655
www.pkdcure.org
Non-Profits & Small Businesses
UCP of Greater Kansas City
Bruce Scott
(816) 531-4454
FAX (816) 531-3383
www.ucpkc.org
Physicians - Doctors of Medicine and
Doctors of Optometry
Retina Assocates, P.A.
Sean Goodale
(913) 831-7400
FAX (913) 831-7409
www.kcretina.com
NEW MEMBERS
CONTINUED
Welcome to these members who recently joined the KC Chamber.
Physicians & Surgeons–
Family Practice
Clay Platte Family Medicine Clinic
Jamie Stevens
(816) 842-4440
www.clayplattefamily.com
Shipping Services
Navis Pack & Ship
Rick Groenert
(913) 541-1041
FAX (913) 541-2041
www.gonavis.com
Technology
Technology Group Solutions, LLC
Lenora Payne
(913) 451-9900
FAX (913) 345-9900 Ext:0
www.tgs-kc.com
Real Estate Brokers
CBRE
Tyler Paytas
(816) 756-3535
FAX (816) 968-5890
www.cbre.com
Technology
Netchemia, LLC
Carlos Antequera
(913) 789-0996
FAX (800) 877-9526
www.netchemia.com
Telecommunications & Data Services
7link Solutions, LLC
Alex Drescanu
(816) 304-9722
www.7link7.com
MILESTONES
The following KC Chamber members celebrated membership milestones in April and May.
5 years
Bill Barr and Company, Inc.
CRES Management
First Citizens Bank & Trust Company
Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant
Insperity, Inc.
Nueterra Holdings, LLC
Osage Marketing, Inc.
Prep KC
Studio Dan Meiners
Swagelok Kansas City
Union Pacific Railroad
Westport Flea Market Catering
Whatever It Takes Electrical Contractors, LLC
10 years
American Diabetes Association
BGR Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Blue Springs R-4
CFM Distributors
Gamble & Schlemeier, Ltd.
Independence School District
JS Logistics
Kansas City T-Bones Baseball Club
La Bodega - Leawood
La Bodega Restaurant
Lee's Summit School District R-VII
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services
Raytown C-2 School District
Securitas Security Services USA, Inc.
The Mutual Fund Store
Trabon Consulting Company
15 years
Builders' Insurance Consultants
Kansas Speedway
Margarita's
Pellow Engineering Services, Inc.
Trapp & Company
The Yarco Company, Inc.
20 years
Mazuma Credit Union
Mazuma Credit Union-12th Street
Mazuma Credit Union-Bannister
Mazuma Credit Union-Blue Parkway
Mazuma Credit Union-Douglas
Mazuma Credit Union-Englewood
Mazuma Credit Union-Foxwood
Mazuma Credit Union-Oldham
Mazuma Credit Union-Pershing
Trabon
25 years
David A. Rismiller - Burlington Capital, LLC
30 years
Cassidy Turley
Webster University
45 years
Saint Luke's Health System
50+ years
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque (50)
American Century Investments (54)
Kansas City Shippers Association, Inc. (54)
Western Fireproofing Company of Kansas (54)
EMJ (58)
Superior Bowen Asphalt Co., LLC (58)
Grant Thornton LLP (60)
Tnemec Company, Inc. (60)
Midwest Technology Connection (61)
University of Missouri-Kansas City (62)
United Way of Greater Kansas City, Inc. (65)
AAA Auto Club (73)
IBM Corporation (79)
Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP (92)
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Intermodal
Operations (96)
Lathrop & Gage LLP (97)
BNSF Railway Co. (99)
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. (99)
Ash Grove Aggregates, Inc. (99)
Ash Grove Cement Company (99)
Bank of America (99)
Faultless Starch/Bon Ami Company (99)
Highwoods Properties, Inc. (99)
KPMG LLP (99)
Kansas City Southern (99)
Kansas City Terminal Railway Company (99)
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (99)
Ozburn-Hessey Logistics (99)
Tension Corporation (99)
John Deere (124)
BOARD OF ADVISORS AND Leadership circle
The following companies joined or renewed their commitment to the KC Chamber’s Board of Advisors in February and March.
Assurant Employee Benefits
Bank of Blue Valley
Black & Veatch Corporation
Commerce Bank
Ernst & Young LLP
Honeywell Federal Manufacturing &
Technologies
Husch Blackwell LLP
James B. Nutter & Company
KCP&L
North Kansas City Hospital
Shawnee Mission Medical Center
The University of Kansas
TranSystems Corporation
UMB Financial Corporation
Union Pacific Railroad
The following companies joined or renewed their commitment to the KC Chamber’s Leadership Circle in February and March.
ADT Security Services
Avila University
Farmland Foods, Inc.
Ford Motor Company
Grassmere Partners, LLC
Hunt Midwest Enterprises, Inc.
Kansas City Aviation Department
Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
Kutak Rock LLP
Park University
Shawnee Mission School District
Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza
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Soli Printing
SureWest
United Healthcare Heartland States
KCC H A M B E R .CO M
13
GOOD NEWS
Highlighting the good news in KC
People
Four Travois team members were promoted
to new positions at the beginning of 2013.
Robin Thorne, previously director of Travois
Asset Management, is leading new initiatives
as vice president for education and regulatory
affairs for the Travois family of companies.
Lorna Fogg, president, has also taken on the
role of chief executive officer (CEO). Emily
Giakoumis was previously compliance manager and is now the director of Travois Asset
Management. Elizabeth Bland Glynn was previously vice president and has been promoted
to chief operating officer (COO).
Rory Welsh has joined Studio Dan Meiners
as Business Account Manager. Welsh will be
working with new and existing business clients on weekly floral as well as special events.
Jerry Daugherty has assumed the role of
2013 Chairman of the Board of The Builders’ Association. He has been a member
of the Association’s Executive Board since
2008. Daugherty is President and Owner of
Reinhardt Construction Company, a general
contractor serving Central Missouri from its
offices in Centralia.
Rade | Eccles announces that John Radcliffe has joined the team as an iOS Developer.
John has more than 25 years of IT experience
and has been involved in a variety of software
development projects on mainframe, midrange, and client server platforms in addition
to iOS.
BRR Architecture, Inc. has announced
key promotions within the firm. Mike Galloway, AIA, and Robert Ciston, AIA, have
recently been named Principals and Vice
Presidents with the firm. Dennis Wilson,
AIA, has been named an Associate with BRR
Architecture. Mike Swift has recently been
promoted to Director of I.T. David M. Mayer,
AIA, is a new hire at BRR and joins the firm as
an Associate.
The board of directors of Harvesters—
The Community Food Network has
14
KCC H A M B E R .CO M
M AY 2 0 1 3
announced that, following a national search,
Valerie Nicholson-Watson will join the food
bank on July 1, 2013, as its president and
CEO. Nicholson-Watson has been a member
of Harvesters’ board of directors since 2007
and previously served as Harvesters’ director
of community services.
AdamsGabbert has made several staff announcements. Jen Regas has been promoted
to Managing Director, Consulting. Lori Borden
was named Managing Director, Staffing Resources. Matt Guthrie is now Director of Accounting. New additions to the team include:
Lisa Odum, Senior Resource Manager, and
Stacy Rose, Senior Support Specialist.
Anniversaries
Hope House is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2013. Club 30 represents donors who
pledge to contribute at least $30 per month to
Hope House for a 12 month period beginning
any month during the organization’s 30th
Anniversary Year. RED Legacy has generously agreed to match Club 30 pledges up
to $10,000 so a $360 pledge means $720 in
support for survivors of domestic violence. For
more information, visit www.hopehouse.net.
Mallin Bros. Co., Inc. is celebrating 85
years in the recycling business. Throughout
the years, the company has expanded its production to include a shredding operation and
one of the largest wire processing facilities in
the country. The company processes insulated
copper and aluminum wire in a most environmentally friendly and cost efficient manner.
Utilities, wire manufacturers, electrical
contractors, and other recycling operations
make up the customer base that generates
scrap wire for Mallin’s operation. Mallin Bros.,
a third-generation family owned business, is a
member of the national trade association, the
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.
Awards
Meers Advertising was recognized at the
2013 AAF-KC ADDY® Awards with one Gold,
two Silver and ten Bronze ADDY awards.
The awards show is one of the biggest AAF
local awards competitions in the country. The
ADDY Awards program recognizes creative
excellence in all forms of advertising, from
media of all types, creative by all sizes and
entrants of all levels.
Husch Blackwell was named the winning
General Corporate Missouri firm of the Client
Choice – USA & Canada 2013 publication,
compiled using the research results of Lexology and the International Law Office (ILO).
Husch Blackwell was selected by receiving
the most nominations of its Missouri-based
corporate counsel members.
Gary and Trish Walker, owners of Magic
Touch Cleaning, Inc. and Bullseye
International, Inc., received the Excellence in Business Award from the Missouri
Small Business & Technology Development
Centers and Missouri Procurement Technical
Assistance Centers. They also received legislative resolutions at the Missouri Capitol from
Senator Will Kraus, District 8, and Rep. Gary
Cross, District 35.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
City (Blue KC) has received the “Highest
Member Satisfaction among Health Plans in
the Heartland Region” award for a second
consecutive year, according to the J.D. Power
and Associates 2013 Member Health Plan
StudySM. Now in its seventh year, the study
measures satisfaction among more than
33,000 members of 136 health plans in 17 regions throughout the United States by examining seven key factors: coverage and benefits;
provider choice; information and communication; claims processing; statements; customer
service; and approval process.
Dr. Todd White, superintendent of North
Kansas City School District, has been selected by the Missouri Association of School
Administrators as the recipient of the annual
Robert L. Pearce Award for 2013. White was
selected by a committee of his peers. Eight
MASA districts nominated a superintendent
for the award.
GOOD NEWS Continued
Miscellaneous
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has announced $119,000 in grants to nine
Kansas City nonprofit organizations addressing critical needs such as hunger and shelter,
as well as longer term solutions that promote
financial wellness through access to benefits
and resources. Together, these organizations
will serve an estimated 500,000 meals and
provide shelter, food and other basic needs
to more than 50,000 local residents. Local
organizations receiving these grants include:
Argentine Neighborhood Development Association, Cultivate Kansas City, Guadalupe
Center, Harvesters—The Community
Food Network, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Mattie Rhodes Center, reStart, The Society of Saint Andrew,
and United Way of Greater Kansas City.
Sandler Training awarded its annual
Non-Profit Scholarship Program for the entire
2013 training schedule to TNC Community,
Harry S. Truman Children’s Neurological
Center. Sandler Training awarded the opportunity for James Landrum of TNC Community
to receive a scholarship worth $20,000 of
professional development training on January
1, 2013. This is nearly 200 hours of live professional development training, as well as access
to 1000’s of additional hours of audio and
video training in Sander Online.
AT&T invested more than $875 million in
its Kansas City area wireless and wireline
networks from 2009 through 2012, with a
focus on expanding 4G LTE mobile Internet
coverage and enhancing the overall performance of its networks. The AT&T network
kept 99 percent of all Kansas City-area
wireless calls connected in the fourth quarter
of 2012 (October through December). AT&T
customers are benefitting from more than 90
wireless network upgrades in key categories in Kansas City during 2012, including
activating new cell sites, adding capacity,
upgrading cell sites to provide fast 4G LTE
mobile Internet speeds, deploying high-capacity Ethernet connections to cell sites, and
adding or upgrading Distributed Antenna
Systems, which boost wireless coverage and
capacity in buildings and at major venues like
convention halls or sports arenas.
Baker University has partnered with the
Kansas City Business Journal to look
for those businesspeople - entrepreneurs,
executives, professionals - who will lead their
companies, and their community, into the
future. The new NextGen Leaders program
is designed to recognize the budding talent
in this community, to help emerging leaders
build their knowledge and skill sets, and to
connect them with each other and the present
generation of Kansas City leaders.
Union Station and Kansas City’s
Science Center, Science City, has
introduced to the public its newest
interactive and educational exhibit
– The Science of Energy featuring Unplugged.
Students from Olathe North High School,
winners of the 2011 Battle of the Brains
educational competition, have seen their
ideas come to life with the expansive exhibit
that encourages guests to explore energy and
their relationship to it. The Science of Energy
featuring Unplugged is one result of a $1.25
million Burns & McDonnell Foundation
grant for Science City. Over the past five years
the Burns & McDonnell Foundation has contributed $3.5 million to Science City to open
additional exhibits, including Science On a
Sphere and the Burns & McDonnell Engineerium. The grant is part of the foundation’s
focus on science, technology, engineering and
math (STEM) education initiatives.
More than 350 companies have partnered
with the U.S. Army for the PaYS program,
which offers qualifying recruits the opportunity to secure an interview and receive priority
consideration with the PaYS partner of their
choice following their Army service. If your
company is interested in joining this partnership, please visit the Partnership For Youth
Success website at www.armypays.com.
Turning Point, the center for hope and
healing, has combined with The University of
Kansas Hospital. Founded in 2001, Turning
Point provides support for chronically ill
patients and their families. The organization
also works with caregivers to give them knowledge, coping techniques and support beyond
traditional hospital care.
Alight Analytics, a marketing analytics
solution provider specializing in multi-channel analytics, has announced significant
growth in 2012, resulting in doubling of the
company’s size.
The City of Kansas City, Mo., Water
Services Department issued water
revenue bonds at a low interest rate of 3.14
percent, which will enable Water Services to
perform $58.7 million in vital water infrastructure improvements throughout Kansas City
Reach 7500 regional business leaders
2500 metro area companies when you advertise in
Grow KC Business. We're now reserving space for our June,
September, and November issues. For more information,
call (816) 374-5429 or email [email protected].
at
M AY 2 0 1 3
KCC H A M B E R .CO M
15
Union Station
30 W Pershing Road
Suite 301
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
For membership information,
call (816) 221-2424
or email [email protected]
GROW KC Business is produced by the Greater Kansas
City Chamber of Commerce Marketing Department for
Chamber Management Services, LLC (a wholly owned
subsidiary of the KC Chamber). Information in this
publication is carefully compiled to ensure accuracy.
However, neither the KC Chamber nor CMS assume
responsibility for accuracy. Contents are copyrighted by
the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Design solutions for GROW KC Business provided by
KC Chamber member Ridpath Creative Partners, LLC,
www.ridpathcreative.com.
THIS IS JEFFERY
CAMPBELL.
HE IS EIGHT
YEARS OLD.
This picture might be taken on Jeffery’s 62nd birthday – the
same day he will turn his global Kansas City-based business
over to his son. Then again, it might not.
Because if Jeffery doesn’t get access to safe play areas and
nutritious food now, he will grow up obese, he will struggle
with conditions like Type 2 diabetes, asthma and depression,
and he may not make it to the glorious day you see here.
At Blue KC, we’re working hard to make sure local kids
like Jeffery don’t have to trade unlimited potential for a
lifetime of costly healthcare and immense regret. But
we can’t do it alone.
Join the conversation about childhood obesity at
www.BeWellKC.BlueKC.com
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
SCOB10413