Ingram’s September 2022

Greg Swetnam OFFICE BROKERAGE DIRECTOR, KESSINGER/HUNTER

Jonathan Thomas PRESIDENT/CEO, AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS The folks at American Century are keeping an eye on some $229 billion in assets these days, which comes with a responsibility Jonathan Thomas doesn’t take lightly. “Our impact on global health puts us in a category of one in the asset management in dustry,” he said. Thomas acknowledged the role of a well-treat ed work force in living up to that responsibility: “That attracts people who want to make a positive impact on the world.”

This commercial realty pro wants to help people get back to work. “We realize that some industries, or segments thereof, may never come back,” Greg Swetnam says. “However, we also are hearing and seeing companies who want their culture back.” He helps by securing space for companies: “Sharing ideas, training, and an open dialogue of communication, both verbal and non-verbal, that is so difficult to duplicate over the phone or on a video call.”

COLLEGE: B.A., Agriculture, University of Missouri COVID PERSPECTIVE: “Depending on the task, some of our positions have gone to a hybrid work week. From the sales side, it has become more of a challenge—people checking in and out trying to be safe in and around clients and colleagues.” KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “Hopefully—wishful thinking—organic growth will continue to fill in the gaps between our sub-markets and townships so that the entire city can win as a whole! With the low density in population when compared to vast amounts of area in the metro, a state line, roughly 10 different townships, and the distance from one to the other, the competition for residents, amenities, businesses, employees, stadiums, arenas, etc., it can be incredibly fierce competition with sometimes little for the entire metro to gain.”

COLLEGE: B.A., University of Massachusetts; MBA, Boston College MORE ON TALENT: “We have renovated our physical spaces to create intentional opportunities for collaboration and creativity, like a game room and golf simulator. We are also building a doggie daycare, opening in 2022 for employees at our Kansas City campus. Employees in our Emerging Pro fessionals business resource group have taken it upon themselves to sponsor a social media/career fair video inspired by why they love working at American Century. I believe we’re doing something right when our people proactively take the lead to help attract talent!” CHIEFS PREDICTION: “This season is sure to be a winning one for the Chiefs based on the competi tiveness I saw from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce at the American Century Championship charity golf tournament this past July. The team has the heart and passion to win. I predict a 14-3 record.”

Polly Thomas PRESIDENT, CBIZ EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Gregg Thompson COMMAND DEPUTY, FORT LEAVENWORTH

It’s not a big verbal leap from physical health to fiscal fitness, but Polly Thomas comfortably made the move from her physical ther apy training to the world of benefits consulting and now leads a major player in that space with CBIZ. At the Plaza-based company, where she started as a benefits consultant in 2009, she helps companies keep a healthy bottom line by managing the costs and attributes of employee benefit plans.

The gravitational pull of Fort Leavenworth on the regional economy can’t be overstated. With nearly 5,400 active-duty personnel and global visitors to the Command and Staff General College, the avi ation traffic alone has a major impact at Kansas City International Airport. Commanding officers are routinely rotated in and out, but much of the operational responsibility lies with the civilian deputy to the commander; in this case, Gregg Thompson.

COLLEGE: B.S., Physical Therapy, University of Missouri-Columbia LIFE LESSON: “I had a high school English teacher who was extremely candid. Her candor has influ enced me as a leader by viewing feedback and candor as a gift to help a person reach their full potential.” CHILDHOOD HEROES: “I really enjoyed reading about Anne Frank and Rosa Parks. They both had so much courage.” ON LIFE’S UNFAIRNESS: “I lost a good friend my freshman year of high school, and it was a perfect example of sometimes life isn’t fair.” ANOTHER TIME TO LIVE?: “Living during the time of the forming of the United States would’ve been pretty special.” HOWWOULDYOUDESCRIBEYOURSELF: “Curious.” HOWWOULDFRIENDSDESCRIBEYOU?: “Loyal.” SOURCES OF PRIDE: “My husband and kids.”

COLLEGE: B.S., Economics, University of Nebraska; M.A., National-Louis University, Chicago; M.S., Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College JOB DUTIES: Assisting the Combined Arms Center’s commanding general with the administration of programs to advance institutional leader development at all levels. He also helps manage three major subordinate organizations, five direct reporting units, and 12 supporting agencies located at Fort Leavenworth and the Presidio of Monterey in California. SERVICE RECORD: A 30-year Army veteran, he’s been posted in Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, Ko rea, Germany, and Hawaii, and his awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

David Toland KANSAS SECRETARY OF COMMERCE/LT. GOV.

Tucker Trotter CEO, DIMENSIONAL INNOVATIONS

If the role of a lieutenant governor is to make the governor look good, give David Toland high marks for a mission accomplished. He played an integral role last winter in securing legislative approval for a monster incentive package that ultimately swayed Panasonic Energy to commit to build its $4 billion battery-production plant in Kansas, allowing Kelly to claim a major win heading into a re-election cycle.

It’s been an introspective year for Tucker Trotter’s industrial design group. “We revisited Jim Collins’ famous ‘hedgehog’ concept and took a deep dive into the critical elements of knowing what you are really great at doing,” he said. That helped DI “decide what areas of the business we want to invest and grow in.” That meant introducing new safety and health measures and adding new workspace for privacy and collabora tion, to crate the best possible on-site work experience, he says.

COLLEGE: B.A., Political Science, M.A., Public Administration, University of Kansas DEEP ROOTS: They don’t come any more Kansan than Toland, whose family runs seven genera tions deep in the Sunflower State. ON FAMILY HISTORY: “I grew up three doors down from my grandparents. It has a grounding effect, knowing that people who came before you were so involved in the community and that those who come after will, we hope, contain the same values.” COMING HOME: After a career turn in the nation’s capital, Toland came back to his native Allen County to serve as director of economic development. Kelly summoned him to a state-level role as Secretary of Commerce after her 2018 election and added his duties as her executive wingman last year.

COLLEGE: B.A., Industrial Design, University of Kansas KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “Our community continues driving innovation and technology, serving as a centralized hub for design, architecture, and engineering. Based on the incredible exposure and desirable living conditions, I also think we see an influx in tourism and relocation from the coasts. We couldn’t stay a hidden gem forever!” ON RETAINING TALENT: “Our team gets to work on diverse and exciting projects. That alone is very attractive to any potential team members, regardless of their passion, profession, or location. Our focus has been on positively impacting our employees’ lives, both here and at home, through free training classes, professional coaches, added perks, reduction in medical premiums, and a revamped wellness program.”

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September 2022

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