Ingram’s September 2022

Jeff Jones PRESIDENT/CEO, H&R BLOCK

Richard Jones FOUNDER, FIDELITY SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE

Change-maker. That’s what the chairman of the board for H&R Block called Jeff Jones when a new five-year contract as CEO was announced last fall. Level I of that change: Introducing the company to a new generation of individual filers and small busi nesses; Level II was leading the world’s largest tax-preparation firm to its best tax season performance in a decade—revenues surged a remarkable 29.33 percent, topping $3.4 billion.

Dick Jones signed the original papers to incorporate Fidelity Se curity Life Insurance back in 1968, but it would be two more years before he could start punching a clock there—he was in the Army at the time, and Uncle Sam was in charge of his schedule until 1970. That’s when he came on board to expand the enterprise that his parents, Forrest and Dorothy, started in 1953, then branched off with Fidelity Security, where he’s chairman today.

FAMILY AFFAIR: The Jones family roots in insurance now run three generations deep, with Dick’s sons in leadership roles at the two organizations. One son, Bryson is the president at Fidelity Security; the other, Rick Jr., holds the same title at Forrest T. Jones & Co. ON THE INGRAM’S 100: With $182 million in 2021 revenue, Fidelity Security made its way to Ingram’s ranking of the Top 100 Private Companies in the Kansas City area this year. ABOUT FIDELITY: The company offers risk-management tools in supplemental health, life and dis ability, annuity, and stop-loss contracts that protect against catastrophic or unpredictable losses for small to mid-sized organizations with self-funded employee benefit plans. PHILANTHROPIC PILLAR: The company provides support in various ways for nearly a score of non-profit organizations and causes in the area, including the Kansas City Symphony, Boy Scouts, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the American Royal, and Starlight Theatre.

COLLEGE: B.A., Communication, University of Dayton TRANSPARENCY WORKS: Jones led the rollout of Upfront Transparent Pricing, by which Block set itself apart in a highly competitive market, giving customers pricing and fee information before the tax preparation process begins. OTHER INITIATIVES: Also on his watch, the company’s Block Advisors expanded services for small business owners, acquired Wave Financial in 2019, and set a long-term growth strategy. TO DO: “Over the last four years, our team has worked tirelessly to dramatically improve how we innovate, serve clients and live our Purpose,” Jones said when the new contract was unveiled. “While our work is not complete, we’ve made great progress, and I’m thrilled to have the support of our Board as we accelerate Block’s transformation and continue to create value for our stakeholders.”

Mark Jorgenson BOARD MEMBER, RETIRED BANKING EXECUTIVE

Gov. Laura Kelly GOVERNOR, KANSAS

Inoneof the region’smost respected financialminds,MarkJorgenson’s gears are turning on the nation’s economic outlook, and supply-chain issues in particular. “I am on the board of a private equity firm,” Jor genson said, “and our executive team reports that our 34 portfolio com panies are experiencing supply-chain disruptions. The need for talent and talent retention is probably the single most concerning item for these companies. Interestingly, most of these companies have been able to pass along price increases with little or no pushback.”

Anyone challenging Gov. Laura Kelly’s re-election bid this fall might have a tough time arguing against her economic-devel opment record: In July, Kansas won the incentives war to secure Panasonic’s construction of a $4 billion battery-production facility in Johnson County. For a sitting Democratic governor in a deep red state, that’s a powerful argument for a second term.

COLLEGE: B.S., Psychology, Bradley University; M.S., Therapeutic Recreation, Indiana University ALF OF IT: Panasonic was a big get, but Kelly boasts of twice that sum—$8.6 billion—in new business investment during her term, yielding 41,000 jobs created or retained. Within that sum, more than 425 new infrastructure projects in development, including fixing roads, rebuilding bridges, and expanding efficient and reliable internet to rural communities. Site Selection Magazine awarded her its Governor’s Cup for record economic growth in 2021, ranking Kansas No. 1 nationally for per-capita ED investment. A BATTLE AHEAD: One major issue that would confront her in a second term would be Medicaid expansion, where Kelly has worked to get close to legislative approval, only to see bills fall short each year. If she wins in November, expect it to be high on her priority list. POLITICAL START: Kelly was executive director of the Kansas Recreation and Park Association before she decided to run for the Kansas Senate in 2004, representing a district out of Wichita.

COLLEGE: B.A., Economics/Business Administration, Coe College; MBA, Washington University NEXT BIG THING FOR KC?: “We shouldn’t sleep on the NFL draft. That will be a BIG deal for Kan sas City. Our community has already demonstrated that we show up big for such national events. Witness how well the MLB All Star Game and festivities were supported by KC. Our community will show very well on the big stage of the NFL—the biggest sports organization in the country.” CHIEFS 2022 PREDICTION: “Unlike many national pundits, I expect the Chiefs will once again go deep into the playoffs, if not make and/or win the Super Bowl. The Chiefs have a great offensive line and most position groups have improved in terms of depth or talent level. The team is very athletic, in part owing to its relative youth. Mistakes will be made because of that, so the regular season record will probably come in at 11-6. Good enough for a decent seed in the playoffs. GO CHIEFS!”

Jonathan Kemper CHAIRMAN EMERITUS, COMMERCE BANK

Mariner Kemper CHAIRMAN/CEO, UMB FINANCIAL CORP.

Mariner Kemper’s organization has $3 7 .5 billion in assets and shows no signs of slowing down. Asked about the past year, Kemper said, “Our business practices remain consistent and un changed, and it’s paying off. We’re not just surviving; we’re thriving. Knowing we continue to successfully anticipate, plan, and execute so our associates, customers, and communities can count on us will always be one of our most significant achievements.”

He left behind the day-to-day executive duties at Commerce Bank in 2018, but Jonathan Kemper, like so many executives at that level, remains engaged, currently in the oversight role for Com merce Bank’s Trusts and Foundations Office, guiding the bank’s philanthropy with multiple non-profit structures and millions in assets. The bank itself, a public company, has had a Kemper at the helm since its founding six generations ago.

COLLEGE: B.A., MBA, Harvard University BRANCHING OUT: After completing his education at Harvard, Kemper immediately went to work for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a bank examiner, then to the private sector with companies in New York and Chicago. TAKING THE REINS: Two years after returning to Kansas City, Kemper was named president of the Kansas City operations and became CEO in 1988. BOARD DUTIES: In addition to Commerce, Kemper has been on the board for commercial-realty subsidiary Tower Properties, as well as past leadership positions with the boards of the Civic Council and the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. His service history also included time on behalf of the Kansas City Public Library, the Truman Library, and Pembroke Hill School, among others.

COLLEGE: B.S., Political Science, University of Puget Sound ON TALENT RETENTION: “We continue to expand our flexibility and make sure we remain focused on career development, growth, and support. We tell our associates we want them to have seven careers with UMB, and we mean it. We want ambitious people working for us, and we work hard to establish an environment to support that.” ON TALENT ACQUISITION: “The best attraction tool we have is the raving fans within our walls. What our associates say is our most important testament, and we know fulfilled associates will not only deliver great results, but they’ll recruit other high performers, too.” NEXT BIG THING FOR KC: “A Downtown Royals stadium and a new home for the American Royal

are certainly two extremely exciting opportunities for Kansas City. KC CHIEFS PREDICTION: “12-5 … and then Super Bowl-bound!”

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September 2022

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