Ingram's March 2023

Geofrey Kigenyi Mercy & Truth Medical Missions, Kansas City

Ben Hutton Hutton, Wichita

Ben Hutton loves to give tours of Wichita. As CEO of the 300-employee architecture and construction firm that bears his name, he loves showing visitors the vibrant food and arts scenes and the growing urban core—and he especially appreciates the skilled workforce he finds in his hometown. Those local

“I have always had a heart of service to others in the communities wherever I have lived,” says Geofrey Kigenyi, so it should be no surprise that his call to serve, and his schooling in behavioral sciences, social entrepreneurship and organizational development would lead him to the non

profit sector. He’s chief operating officer for Mercy and Truth Medical Missions, which thinks globally and acts … well, locally and globally. It operates two clinics in the KC area (in KCK and Shawnee), and has also sent at 75 medical mission teams to more than 50 different countries, not just in Mexico, but in destinations like Colombia, and Uganda. The international program at Sterling College was his first U.S. stop, and his graduate degree came from Avila, “and that gave me the depth needed to do more for under-served communities in KC,” Kigenyi says. His career has moved through Habitat for Humanity for five years, an Overland Park church for three, then for 10 with Mercy and Truth. “As a person of faith, it has been an added privilege to intersect my faith and career combined to do good particularly through the organization I now lead.” That work is made possible, he says, “by the generosity of countless Kansans that give of their time and treasure to serve. … It is our donors, volunteers and staff that make all this work possible.” He’s a board member for the Community Care Network of Kansas, which represents safety net clinics statewide that ensure accessible health care to all.

competitive advantages have allowed Hutton to grow to four locations throughout Kansas—Wichita, Garden City, McPherson, and Salina—and serve the entire state while expanding its capabilities and tripling its employee count. Growing up in the industry, Hutton started working job sites at age 12 and studied construction management at Kansas State, followed by his first stint at the family business as a project manager. By 2010, he had become president, then CEO by 2016. “The construction landscape is competitive, but we’ve found our niche in serving clients that see their facilities as long-term tools and assets,” he says. “Whether it be strategic planning to help focus their efforts, thinking through real estate decisions, designing a new facility, building new or remodeling what they’ve got (and even taking care of it for decades after), we have experts that are ready to offer help.” And the company’s recent success? That’s truly because of Hutton’s people, he said. “One of the legacies my father created was an organization of amazing team members,” he said. “My primary job is to continue that legacy and try my best not to mess it up!”

Chet Kuplen Sports in Kansas, Wichita In 2012, Chet Kuplen had no job and just $200 in the bank. What he did have was experience and a passion for local high school sports. “When I saw how powerful social media was and the limited amount of high school sports on it … I thought we may really have something here—to promote high

Zalman Kohen Summit Homes KC, Overland Park Talk about (literally) building the

American dream. Zalman Kohen first came to the United States in 1995 with his family as refugees from Uzbekistan. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, he found a job with a local land development and home-building

school student-athletes across the state through the power of social media.” Today, Sports in Kansas is becoming the go-to online destination for local sports coverage across the state—especially as smaller media outlets begin to disappear. Kuplen wants to ensure all students, teams, and communities get the recognition and attention they deserve, not just those in the large schools. “We promote sports at all schools in Kansas—schools that have 14 students in their high school in the Mountain time zone and schools that have 2,400 high school students in a metro area of Wichita and KC. With one view or click of a button, it can really change your life.” With a website, five radio shows, and hundreds of thousands of online followers, Kuplen is also using his platform to teach young people the immense power of social media. His “Think Before You Post” speaking tour has already made more than 500 presentations. “What we do now, good or bad, follows us for the rest of our lives,” he says. “If we can help at least one person at every single event, then we’ve done our job.”

organization in 2002. He joined Summit Homes in 2009 as its general manager, then became COO, and just recently ascended to the CEO role this year. As part of Kansas City’s unique market with a diversified builder presence, he said, Summit Homes is proud to both develop and build residential communities, and the company recently welcomed select builders to join its approved builder group to offer consumers variety and choices. “I enjoy seeing how our team transforms raw land into beautiful communities where people get to come home, build memories, and enjoy being part of something special,” he said. “It is truly rewarding to see communities come to life, as ultimately life happens in the homes and communities we build.” Now surpassing more than 3,000 homes built since the company’s founding, Kohen has helped Summit expand into the Des Moines, Iowa, and Boise, Idaho, markets. The company’s success, Kohen said, is truly a reflection of its people. “We have an amazing, talented, and engaged team … and I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead our team in building the next chapter of our journey and continue the legacy of what has made us successful.”

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