Ingrams August 2023

Derek Coats Kehoe for Governor Jefferson City A discovery in the backseat of his parents’ Ford LTD sparked an unlikely interest for young Derek Coats, a passion that would develop into a successful career in politics. “I came across an old map of Missouri and

Vince Clark Creative Planning Kansas City

Despite a lucrative career on Wall Street, it was that Kansas City “breath of fresh air” that made all the difference for Vince Clark. “I was and still am blown away by the friendliness of the people and their willingness to be kind and

helpful. This helped me fall in love with Kansas City and make it my home.” The Charleston, S.C., native began his career in New York with JP Morgan Chase—something he calls a “dream come true”—but then ended up at HSBC Securities, where he worked with H&R Block as one of his clients. That relationship brought him to Kansas City, serving as vice president and treasurer for the tax giant for nearly four years. Then, in early 2015, a good friend introduced him to Peter Mallouk, president and CEO of Creative Planning. “Peter and I met in his office, and the rest is history,” he said. “I remain impressed by Peter’s focus, intellect, and tireless energy.” Today, Clark serves as vice president of business development for the wealth-management company, now the region’s largest, with assets of more than $225 billion. He originates new business opportunities and oversees special projects that align with the firm’s community service. One of those is Pathway Financial Education, a financial literacy academy that’s grown from 35 attendees in 2021 to an expected 1,000 or more this year. “I enjoy giving to the community and helping in any way I can to make organizations better,” he said.

saw a picture of Kit Bond,” he said. “After my parents explained who Kit was and what he did for Missouri, I started following political news, as well as a 9-year-old could. As you can imagine, I had a lot of questions for my poor parents.” After growing up in Monroe City, he ended up at Missouri Western State University and snagged an internship working for that same man from the map, who by that time was a U.S. senator. Coats worked in Bond’s mid-Missouri office after graduating, and then worked for then-Rep. Roy Blunt, both on his Senate campaign and then as an official staffer. His latest endeavor is working as the campaign manager for Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe as he seeks the governorship. “I have seen how hard Mike Kehoe has worked to achieve the American Dream and his willingness to give back through public service with that same work ethic. It was a no-brainer for me.” And while politics can leave many residents feeling jaded, Coats sees the power of change that’s possible. “That’s the great thing about our system of government,” he said. “Conversations and collaboration are necessary to achieve results.”

Mike Deering Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Columbia “I have many goals, but they all stem from my true passions: Agriculture and the American farmer,” Mike Deering declares. And there’s little question he has lived out those passions as an advocate for farmers and ranchers.

Bill Dubuque Screenwriter St. Louis

For four memorable seasons starting in 2017, actors Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and an impressive cast made the dark corners of Missouri lake life a national buzz with the Netflix series “Ozark.” The creative genius for that tale

He’s been executive vice president for the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association since 2012, a year after the centennial of the state’s first livestock commodity group. In that role, Deering advocates for agricultural interests, including efforts just last year to work with the General Assembly to protect farmers and ranchers whose land has been threatened by eminent domain in the buildout of wind farms and power transmission. That came after landowners rallied over their treatment in the creation of the Grain Belt Express, an 800-mile transmission line that cuts through four states. “These landowners are the reason farm and ranch families will have greater protections from this pervasive invasion of private property rights in the future,” he wrote of the measure that went to Gov. Mike Parson. Deering earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism from Mizzou, followed that with a master’s from Oklahoma State, and did post-graduate studies at Chiang Mai University in Thailand. Other career stops included time in Washington, serving as director of communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and leading communications efforts for the U.S. Grains Council.

of underworld finance and money laundering, and their unintended consequences, didn’t have to do much research to help create the feel of life in that part of the Show-Me State—Bill Dubuque drew on his own background, growing up in St. Louis (where he was born and still lives) and spending time on the state’s biggest aqua attraction (where he still vacations). The series went on to earn dozens of awards and Emmy, Writers Guild, and Producers Guild nominations, giving Dubuque additional feathers in a cap full of them. Among his previous works was authoring the screenplay for 2014’s “The Judge,” which starred Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall, as well as “A Family Man” and “The Accountant.” Dubuque’s inspiration for the lake backdrop in the series came first-hand: As a youth, he worked at a lake-area resort during the summer months. “Ozark,” in its own way, was both a tribute to those who have opted for a life away from the big city and a cautionary tale to the urban elites who too often look down on them. “You’ve got highly intelligent people everywhere in the country, and you’ve got remarkably stupid people everywhere in the country,” Dubuque once told The New York Times . “It’s not geographically specific.”

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