Ingram's April 2024

CLASS of 2024

MICHAEL RAUPP To translate the practice of law into, say, football, trial lawyers would be the linemen who do the blocking and

call: Since he signed on, the private equity firm has executed roughly 40 transactions across 15 platforms, nearly tripled its staff, and soared to $450 million in assets under management. Investing in growth companies requires diligence on the research side and time commitments post-investment— the firm’s interests have Robinson en- gaged at the board level for a wide range of diverse companies, including Roofed Right America (commercial roofing), Salon Service Group (beauty products distribution), GP Industries (gutter guard manufacturer), FairWave Coffee Collective (specialty coffee provi- der), Realm Companies (pallet manuf acturer), Fairbank Equipment (ag parts distribution), and HeartLand (commercial tackling that produces a courtroom ver dict or judgment. On a more strategic level, you’ll find the appellate litigator pressing higher courts to make sure the outcome of earlier—the final score if you will—litigation was correctly decid ed. That’s where Michael Raupp comes in as a partner with Husch Blackwell, briefing and arguing cases in federal and state appellate courts throughout the country. “My practice has an emphasis on higher-education litigation, and I have had the pleasure of working with colleges and universities to achieve suc cessful outcomes in a variety of liti gation matters,” the 38-year-old says. Raupp’s degree from KU in finance—he was the top student in his class—was supplemented two years as an analyst

landscape and lawn). In recognition of his contributions, the owners elevated Robinson to partner status last fall, and he works with them on facets of the business, driving key operational and strategic efforts, along with investments and oversight throughout the portfolio. A Kansas City native, he earned his finance degree at KU, then worked in Minneapolis and Chicago before GRC came calling. It was the right fit, he says, because his high school sweetheart—Katherine— provided the impetus to come home, and they’re raising four children now. Active at Village Presbyterian Church, he's also been a supporter of Children’s Mercy’s Hearts & Hands auxiliary in a board role, Top Gun Kansas City, for young executives, and the O.E. Ellis business/civic group. with an investment management firm before he headed to the University of Texas for law school. Following a clerk ship with Judge Duane Benton on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit for one term, he signed on with Husch Blackwell, where he says, “I feel very fortunate to be part of such a dynamic and innovative firm.” At home, he and Courtney have three children and his service commitment includes the foundation board for Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care and Operation Breakthrough’s leadership council. “We feel it is important for our children to see us actively contributing to our chari table, civic, and faith communities,” Raupp says, “and we hope they will do the same in the future.”

MARK ROBINSON Not long after Great Range Capital was launched in 2010, its founders brought Mark Robinson on board. Good

RAINMAKERS

Rainmakers: Coming in June In the June issue of Ingram's, we will showcase several Kansas City area sales professionals who possess the vision and business acumen to seize the opportunities and drive top-line results for their organizations. Nominations of Sales Superstars are Welcome at Editorial@Ingrams.com or access a nomination form at Ingrams.com Claim Your Ad Position MSweeney@Ingrams.com n 816.842.9994

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Kansas City's Business Media

April 2024