Ingram's April 2024

CLASS of 2024

MARCO ASSIS Almost from its inception in 1998, Propio Language Services found solid footing in translation/transcription

munity, he says. And from a certain perspective, you can catch a glimpse of all three in a glass of the fine wines he produces. Bergman, 37, is the owner of Bourgmont Winery and Les Bourgeois Vineyards, where he says “my focus is creating a community cornerstone where people can come to commemorate any type of occasion and experience the history of Midwestern winemaking. We strive to show that Kansas and Missouri wine can be as good as the well-known wine growing regions in America.” And indeed, the wines he’s produced have already won national and international awards. “Each year, we work hard to create new varietals and increase production while including the community, such services within an increasingly global economy. But if the company was a powder keg of potential, Marco Assis was the match. This Brazilian native, 39, came on as CFO in 2017, became CEO and owner just two years later, and took a small enterprise of 10 employees and $10 million in revenue on a ride toward $200 million annu ally and a staff of nearly 2000. And he did it during the global pandemic. “This was a difficult time for all, but I found the pandemic illuminated the crucial need to connect people to qualified interpreters quickly, eas ily, and affordably,” Assis says. “So, I worked with my team to improve the process while building a world class business—often helping clients

as during harvest,” Bergman says. “We are currently expanding into Oregon and Washington, using the same practices of community engagement, land conservation, and leveraging local resources.” On a personal level, ser vice to the Kansas City community has focused on preserving history for future generations. “As a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a degree in history, historical preservation has played a pivotal role in my life,” he says. You can often find him leading tours at the National WWI Museum, where he’s part of the curatorial staff and helped bring about the Bergman Family Gallery exhibit. He's also been a volunteer and member of Church of the Resurrection since its inception. achieve 30 percent cost savings—and ultimately make a positive impact on our clients.” Propio, he beams, “will soon be the second-largest remote interpretation provider in the world and has been lauded both from within the industry and business worlds as one of the fastest-growing compa nies.” He and Dana recently wel comed their second child to the fam ily, which he says “is central to my identity.” Before Propio, he spent 11 years at Shell Oil Co. and Puma Energy in varies roles in finance and M&A. “I left Brazil in 2014 to pursue bigger dreams and met my wife along the way, which brought me perma nently to Kansas City in December 2016,” he says.

ALEX BERGMAN The three pillars of Alex Bergman’s life—professional and personal—are hospitality, history, and a sense of com-

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A LEADER?

Ingram’s editors have studied what it takes to be a great leader for many decades, under many extraordinary instructors. We can think of no more important initiative than to serve as stewards of the 40 Under Forty program, and to dedicate efforts each year to research hundreds of the region’s most accomplished young leaders and to introduce several of the best to our readers.

We hope you’ll agree that this year’s 40 Under Forty class meets the same pinnacle standards as the 25 classes that preceded them.

Congratulations to the 2024 Members of Ingram's 40 Under Forty.

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April 2024

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