GROW KC Business

KC C H A M B E R N E W S L E T T E R

VO L U M E 1 I S S U E 3 M a y 2 0 1 3

B U S I N E S S

CENTURIONSLearn. Serve. Lead.

JOHN BLUFORDA Conversation

ENTREPRENEURSHIPExpanding Our Ecosystem

2 KC C H A M B E R . C O M M A Y 2 0 1 3

J A M E S A . H E E T E R

PRESIDENT & CEO'SPOINT 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; Dura-comm; 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 pro-gramming. 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 subcommit-tees 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. E

M A Y 2 0 1 3 KC C H A M B E R . C O M 3

CONTENTS

4 CENTURIONSLearn. Serve. Lead.

6 JOHN BLUFORDA Conversation

8 ENTREPRENEURSHIPImproving the Ecosystem

10 FACES & PLACES

12 NEW MEMBERSMilestone Anniversaries,Board of Advisors and Leadership Circle

14 GOOD NEWS

10

6

JACkSON COUNTy HEALTHy CORNER STORESBRINGING 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 Mis-souri 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 inven-tory, 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, Build-ing 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.

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.


Learn. Serve. Lead. The three pillars of the Cen-turions 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 opportuni-ties, 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 im-pressive collection of folks,” said Seft Hunter, director of sponsored programs and research compliance at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and Centu-

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 lead-ers and have a vital role in the future of Kansas City.”

Established in 1976, the mission is to prepare a rep-resentative 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 op-portunity to learn more about the complex issues facing metropolitan Kansas City, to appreciate the breadth of

CEnTuRionS: GettinG involved, and GivinG Back


Centurions Information SessionThursday, May 9, 12:00-1:00 p.m.Arrowhead Stadium Penthouse-One Arrowhead DriveKansas City, MO 64129

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 giv-ing 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, compli-ance 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 appli-cation, 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 organiza-tions,” 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 May-ors’ 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 organiza-tions,” said Jodi Robinson, director at CBIZ and Centu-rions Class of 2013. “It’s energizing for me to be around this group and inspiring for me to go back to my orga-nization 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 appli-cations are available online at www.centurions.org. E

CEnTuRionS: GettinG involved, and GivinG Back


“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 per-ception has changed as well as external. All of which points to a realization and recognition that our institu-tion 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 visi-ble, 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 ob-viously resonates with TMC’s CEO. The new 35,000

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-cen-tric. 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 environ-ment in the community.

“If you look at TMC’s patient base (which is not go-ing to be materially different by diagnosis), over 56 per-cent 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 na-tional 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 health-care 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 an-other 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.”E

A CON V E R SATION W ITH:

JOHN BLUFORDPresident and CEO, Truman Medical Centers


Small Business Celebration Platinum Sponsor:

Aspirational Entrepreneur Award Presenting Sponsor:

Awards LuncheonSilver Sponsor:

Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor: Awards Luncheon Gold Sponsor:

Top 10 CEO Panel Presenting Sponsor:

Top 10 CEO Panel Gold Sponsor:Top 10 Announcement Presenting Sponsor:

Nomination kickoff Presenting Sponsor & Candidate Showcase Gold Sponsor:

Candidates’ ShowcaseSilver Sponsors:

Print Sponsor: Legacy of kansas CityAward Sponsor:

Media Sponsors:

At your service.®

®

Meet the Top 10… and our Award Winners!Top 10 CEO Panel and Mr. k Awards LuncheonWednesday, May 15, 201311 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Grand Ballroom, Kansas City Convention Center16th and Wyandotte

Chamber members: $45Non-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

2013Small Business celebration

Small Business Celebration Presenting Sponsor:


Perhaps one of Kansas City’s most famed entrepre-neurs put it best. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing,” said cartoonist Walt

Disney. And over the past year, the KC Chamber has heeded that advice, following the strong example set by the likes of Disney, Joyce Hall, Ewing Marion Kauffman, James Stowers, and so many others who prove entrepre-neurship is home-grown in Kansas City.

In 2011, the KC Chamber launched the Big 5 goal of making Kansas City “America’s Most Entrepreneur-ial City,” and since then there’s been no looking back. This Big 5 effort is, in a sense, a startup itself. The vision: to gain global recognition for KC as a premier

location for launching and expanding innovative, high-growth companies. It means creating America’s most comprehensive and effective entrepreneurial ecosystem, and that necessitates systemic change for this community.

“This is a long-term, cultural investment that is tied to our identity as a community,” said Peter deSilva, champion of this Big 5 initiative and president and chief operating officer at UMB Bank. “It’s one thing to declare our region’s belief in this vision – but you have to back it up. We are creating a national and global identity for entrepreneurship.”

That’s being accomplished in a variety of ways. The

NURTURINg ENTREPRENEURS in Greater kanSaS city

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.

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.

Ron is a graduate of Ottawa University and earned his M.B.A. degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Mike Farmer (Co‐Founder, CEO)

Leap2, LLC is a Kansas City, KS based entrepreneurial venture comprised of a dedicated team supported by investors, advisers and partners. Leap2 delivers instant web, social, news, local and image search results. And now, with search alerts, Leap2 can monitor your query and continue to deliver relevant and timely results for as long as you want.Keeping up with news, weather, sports, events or any frequently changing information has never been easier. All you do is SEARCH IT, then LEAP IT! Mike has worked with new technology ventures at the senior management level for CAP CO2, LLC (Wichita, KS), kozoru, inc. (Kansas City, MO), Aristotle International (San Francisco, CA), Etak‐TeleAtlas (Menlo Park, CA), and Rand McNally Corporation (San Francisco, CA). Throughout his entrepreneurial career, Mike has co‐founded four new ventures, raised millions of dollars in early‐stage capital, authored or coauthored 10 patents, and strategically led the development of a 10 year $600 million dollar technology‐based economic development initiative. Mike has an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lally School of Technology and Management, achieving the W. Franklin Spafford Award of Highest Distinction for Academic Achievement. As a Robert Bozzone Fellow, Mike's graduate concentrations included: innovation strategy, new product development and technological entrepreneurship. Mike currently serves on the U.S. Senator Pat Roberts Science and Technology Advisory Board's, John O. Farmer, Inc. Board of Directors, and Leap2, LLC.

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KC Chamber served as a sounding board in the craft-ing of federal legislation, known now as the Startup Act 3.0 and has been an active advocate for its pas-sage. 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 creat-ing 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 chanc-es 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 suc-cess 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 resourc-es 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 Entrepre-neurs 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 dia-logues that have been started between entrepreneurs and innovators, the large companies and small compa-nies, and the established thought leaders and the emerg-ing 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. E

NURTURINg ENTREPRENEURS in Greater kanSaS city


FACES & PLACESHighlighting Chamber organizations and people making KC grow.

Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran joked with

kenny Wilk, University of Kansas Hospital,

and Gina Bowman, CVR Energy, after an

April 3 Federal Affairs Committee meeting

where he discussed the national debt, health-

care costs and his work to provide incentives

for entrepreneurs through the Startup Act

3.0. The KC Chamber hosted a leadership

dinner for Senator Moran the night before,

where the Senator thanked the KC Chamber

for support of the Startup Act and its work to

nurture area entrepreneurs.

Startup Act

Patrick Fucik, Sprint; Barbara Langer, KU Medical Center; Kansas Representative

Barbara Bollier; Kansas Secretary of Reve-

nue Nick Jordan; and Kansas Senator Julia Lynn lingered after the March Kansas State

Affairs meeting to talk about the House and

Senate budget bills for FY2014. The House

and Senate are having trouble agreeing on

the tax budget bills and have adjourned until

the veto session begins May 8.

kansas budget

On March 26, city department leaders discussed policy and

budget issues with the KC Chamber’s KCMO Committee.

Speakers included John Wood (assistant city manager for

neighborhoods), KCMO Committee Chair Andy McCaskill of

Burns & McDonnell, Sherri McIntyre (assistant city manager

for infrastructure and public works director), Councilman John Sharp, Oscar McGaskey Jr. (director of conventions and

entertainment facilities), and Robert Langenkamp (assistant

city manager and director of city planning and development).

kCMO Committee

The KC Chamber, City of Kansas City, MO, and Civic Council of Greater Kansas City led a delegation to Jeffer-

son City on March 4 to speak with a unified voice on local priority issues including tax credit reform, workers’

compensation, and a statewide bonding package to address capital improvement and economic development

needs. The discussions included (l to r) Chamber Chair Russ Welsh of Polsinelli Shughart, Majority Floor

Leader John Diehl, Mayor Sly James, Lt. Governor Peter kinder, Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo, Chamber

President and CEO Jim Heeter, Civic Council Executive Director Jewel Scott, and Senate President Pro

Tem Tom Dempsey.

kC to Jeff City

On March 21, the candidates for Small Business of

the Year and the KC Chamber’s three new awards

gathered for networking in Union Station’s Sprint

Festival Plaza. The Small Business Celebration

Candidates’ Showcase event connected nearly 700

business leaders with small businesses like Ad-

amsGabbert, represented by Jen Regas, Denise kruse, Stacy Rose, and Greg Holmes.

Candidates’ Showcase

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 usedThrough 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 PayrollCBIZ 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 CertificationThe 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 in-dependent 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].

SAVE 20 TO 35 PERCENT ON NATURAL GAS COSTSPro Energy Solutions is a dedicated, focused and well established natural gas supplier to commercial and industrial consumers in the Midwest and Central regions of the country. Estimated savings based on histor-ical gas rates has been approximately 20-35%. If your business is spending $1,000 per month or more on natural gas, call for more information about how ProEnergy can help you manage costs.

As a seasoned energy provider with more than 30 years of energy management experience, Pro Energy Solutions offers customers reliable gas supply, competitive rates, flexible pricing options, hedge transac-tions, accurate and timely billing and single point account management. Pro Energy can manage your natu-ral gas portfolio to meet your expectations and provides outstanding customer service to valued customers.

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kC CHAMBER COST-SAVING BENEFITSTake advantage of these special discounts and you could save enough to pay for your membership. Visit www.kcchamber.com for details.



NEW MEMBERSWelcome to these members who recently joined the KC Chamber.

AccountantsInstitute of Management Accountants - Kansas City ChamberStephen Platt (816) 769-6456www.kcima.org

Advertising19 BelowBrad Slaughter (816) 471-1019FAX (816) 471-4445www.19below.tv

AdvertisingTurnBack MarketingJonathan Jobe (913) 856-6166FAX (913) 210-0124www.turnbackmarketing.com

AttorneysDunn & DavisonRonald L. Holt (816) 292-7600FAX (816) 292-7601www.dunndavison.com

AttorneysDysart Taylor McMonigle & Montemore, P.C.Michael J. Judy (816) 931-2700FAX (816) 931-7377www.dysarttaylor.com

Automobile Dealers–New & UsedVan AutoplexDeborah Essex (816) 256-4879FAX (816) 414-2998www.vankc.com

Automotive ServicesHushMatTimothy McCarthy (913) 599-2600FAX (913) 599-2607www.hushmat.com

Automotive ServicesStanley Tire & AutomotiveCarina Hatton (913) 239-8473FAX (913) 239-8473www.stanleytire.com

Bar or Night ClubKill Devil ClubScott Tipton (816) 877-8312www.killdevil.com

Computer Software ConsultantsInterDyn BMITim Lamkin (913) 687-0620www.interdynbmi.com

Consultants–ManagementAndrew Reise ConsultingAndrew Mattox (913) 323-6899FAX (888) 503-4107www.andrewreise.com

Database SolutionsData Locker Inc.Shauna Park (913) 310-9088FAX (800) 858-4709www.datalocker.com

Digital/Interactive MarketingPurk'dSteve Gardner (913) 461-0402www.purkd.com

Energy ConsultingMC2 ConsultantsAnne McGregor(816) 308-8033FAX (816) 561-9629www.mc2consultantsllc.com

EngineersAntella Consulting Engineers, Inc.Monica Santos(816) 421-0950FAX (816) 421-0950www.antella-inc.com

EngineersGBAMichael L. Smith, P.E. (913) 492-0400FAX (913) 577-8200www.gbateam.com

EngineersTREKK Design Group, LLCKimberly Robinett(816) 874-4655FAX (816) 874-4675

Event SpaceThe Gallery Event SpaceAmber Cansler(816) 842-1045FAX (816) 842-1047

FloristsToblers FlowersBrian Auckland(816) 241-6150FAX (816) 241-4767www.toblersflorist.com

Healthcare ConsultingKansas Health Information NetworkLaura McCrary(785) 861-7490www.khinonline.com

Hearing AidsCreative Hearing SolutionsBruce Nagel(816) 326-8811

Hotels/MotelsBest Western Premier KC Speedway Inn & SuitesAnnie McGinnis(913) 334-4440FAX (913) 334-4441

Hotels/MotelsHampton Inn - Worlds of FunRobert Kreicbergs(816) 452-1010FAX (816) 453-7000

Hotels/MotelsHotel Sorella Country Club PlazaRobert Leyva(913) 980-3721www.hotelsorell-countryclubplaza.com

Janitorial Supplies & EquipmentBullseye International SDVOB, IncGary Walker(816) 554-2358FAX (816) 554-9283www.buybullseye.com

Landscape DesignersTidewater Landscape Management, Inc.Joseph Aaron(913) 290-0124www.tidewaterusa.com

Large Format PrintingPrintSurfacesKathy Hamilton-Dix(816) 213-4357www.printsurfaces.net

LoftsKC Loft Space, Fairway ManagementWanda Villines(816) 474-5638kcloftspace.com

Marketing & Brand StrategyStark CollectiveKris Flint(816) 759-2719www.starkcollective.com

Marketing ConsultantsAlight AnalyticsMichelle Jacobs(816) 359-3305FAX (816) 442-8470www.alightanalytics.com

Marketing ServicesSurmount StudiosCatalina Campos(816) 805-1890www.surmountstudios.com

Medical CentersMitchell Chiropractic & Wellness CenterSara Mitchell(913) 231-9774www.drsarachiropractic.com

Metal FabricatorsMetal Panels, Inc.Jimmy Johnsonn(913) 766-7200FAX (913) 766-7201www.metalpanelsinc.com

Non-Profits & Small BusinessesEpiscopal Community ServicesArthur Diaz(816) 561-8920 Ext:1FAX (816) 561-4939www.episcopalcommunity.org

Non-Profits & Small BusinessesInternational Association of Fire Fighters Local 42Michael Cambiano(816) 358-4222FAX (816) 358-8383www.iaff.org

Non-Profits & Small BusinessesKauffman Scholars, Inc.Halley Chapman(816) 932-1240FAX (816) 751-6752www.kauffmanscholars.org

Non-Profits & Small BusinessesMake-A-Wish Foundation of MissouriLuAnn Bott(913) 341-9474FAX (913) 341-9479www.mo.wish.org

Non-Profits & Small BusinessesPKD FoundationAngela Connelly(816) 931-2600FAX (816) 931-8655www.pkdcure.org

Non-Profits & Small BusinessesUCP of Greater Kansas CityBruce Scott(816) 531-4454FAX (816) 531-3383www.ucpkc.org

Physicians - Doctors of Medicine and Doctors of Optometry

Retina Assocates, P.A.Sean Goodale(913) 831-7400FAX (913) 831-7409www.kcretina.com


NEW MEMBERS CONTINUED

Welcome to these members who recently joined the KC Chamber.

Physicians & Surgeons– Family Practice

Clay Platte Family Medicine ClinicJamie Stevens(816) 842-4440www.clayplattefamily.com

Real Estate BrokersCBRETyler Paytas(816) 756-3535FAX (816) 968-5890www.cbre.com

Shipping ServicesNavis Pack & ShipRick Groenert(913) 541-1041FAX (913) 541-2041www.gonavis.com

TechnologyNetchemia, LLCCarlos Antequera(913) 789-0996FAX (800) 877-9526www.netchemia.com

TechnologyTechnology Group Solutions, LLCLenora Payne(913) 451-9900FAX (913) 345-9900 Ext:0www.tgs-kc.com

Telecommunications & Data Services7link Solutions, LLCAlex Drescanu(816) 304-9722www.7link7.com

BOARD OF ADVISORS AND LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

MILESTONESThe following KC Chamber members celebrated membership milestones in April and May.

The following companies joined or renewed their commitment to the KC Chamber’s Board of Advisors in February and March.

The following companies joined or renewed their commitment to the KC Chamber’s Leadership Circle in February and March.

5 yearsBill Barr and Company, Inc. CRES Management First Citizens Bank & Trust CompanyGordon Biersch Brewery & RestaurantInsperity, Inc. Nueterra Holdings, LLCOsage Marketing, Inc.Prep KCStudio Dan Meiners Swagelok Kansas City Union Pacific RailroadWestport Flea Market Catering Whatever It Takes Electrical Contractors, LLC

10 years American Diabetes AssociationBGR 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 ServicesRaytown C-2 School District Securitas Security Services USA, Inc.The Mutual Fund Store Trabon Consulting Company 15 years Builders' Insurance Consultants Kansas SpeedwayMargarita'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)

Assurant Employee BenefitsBank of Blue ValleyBlack & Veatch CorporationCommerce Bank

Ernst & Young LLPHoneywell Federal Manufacturing &

TechnologiesHusch Blackwell LLP

James B. Nutter & CompanyKCP&LNorth Kansas City HospitalShawnee Mission Medical Center

The University of KansasTranSystems CorporationUMB Financial CorporationUnion Pacific Railroad

ADT Security ServicesAvila UniversityFarmland Foods, Inc.Ford Motor Company

Grassmere Partners, LLCHunt Midwest Enterprises, Inc.Kansas City Aviation DepartmentKansas City Board of Public Utilities

Kutak Rock LLPPark UniversityShawnee Mission School DistrictSheraton Suites Country Club Plaza

Soli PrintingSureWestUnited Healthcare Heartland States


PeopleFour 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 man-ager and is now the director of Travois Asset Management. Elizabeth Bland Glynn was pre-viously 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 cli-ents on weekly floral as well as special events.

Jerry Daugherty has assumed the role of 2013 Chairman of the Board of The Build-ers’ 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 Rad-cliffe 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, mid-range, and client server platforms in addition to iOS.

BRR Architecture, Inc. has announced key promotions within the firm. Mike Gal-loway, 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

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 an-nouncements. Jen Regas has been promoted to Managing Director, Consulting. Lori Borden was named Managing Director, Staffing Re-sources. Matt Guthrie is now Director of Ac-counting. New additions to the team include: Lisa Odum, Senior Resource Manager, and Stacy Rose, Senior Support Specialist.

AnniversariesHope House is celebrating its 30th anniver-sary 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 gener-ously 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 pro-duction 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 environ-mentally 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.

AwardsMeers 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 Lexol-ogy 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 Excel-lence in Business Award from the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers and Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. They also received legis-lative 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 re-gions throughout the United States by examin-ing seven key factors: coverage and benefits; provider choice; information and communica-tion; claims processing; statements; customer service; and approval process.

Dr. Todd White, superintendent of North Kansas City School District, has been se-lected 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 NEWSHighlighting the good news in KC


MiscellaneousThe Bank of America Charitable Founda-tion has announced $119,000 in grants to nine Kansas City nonprofit organizations address-ing 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 As-sociation, Cultivate Kansas City, Guadalupe Center, Harvesters—The Community Food Network, Local Initiatives Sup-port Corporation, Mattie Rhodes Cen-ter, 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 oppor-tunity 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 profes-sional development training, as well as access to 1000’s of additional hours of audio and video training in Sander Online.

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 knowl-edge, coping techniques and support beyond traditional hospital care.

Alight Analytics, a marketing analytics solution provider specializing in multi-chan-nel 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 infrastruc-ture improvements throughout Kansas City

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 perfor-mance 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 catego-ries 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-ca-pacity 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 con-tributed $3.5 million to Science City to open additional exhibits, including Science On a Sphere and the Burns & McDonnell Enginee-rium. 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 opportuni-ty 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 partner-ship, please visit the Partnership For Youth Success website at www.armypays.com.

GOOD NEWS CONTINUED

Reach 7500 Regional business leadeRs at 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].

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.SCOB10413

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

JEFFERY

HE IS EIGHT

TH IS ISCAMPBELL.YEARS OLD.

29806_ObesityAd_OldMan_B2B_FA.indd 1 4/9/13 4:40 PM

Union Station30 W Pershing RoadSuite 301Kansas City, Missouri 64108

For membership information,call (816) 221-2424or 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.

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