Ingram’s September 2022

Bill Miller CHAIRMAN/CEO, WELLSKY

Bruce Miller MANAGING PRINCIPAL, POPULOUS

With a tech-heavy resume that included stretches at Unit ed Healthcare and Cerner, Bill Miller was well-qualified to take on the leadership duties when Mediware Information Systems was courting a new CEO in 2017. One year and a rebrand later, he was heading up WellSky, an Overland Park health-tech company serving 10,000 client sites in the pro vider community.

Populous has a global reputation for design excellence in the sports world of arenas and stadiums, with high-profile projects— London Stadium, Kyle Field at Texas A&M, and even Children’s Mer cy Park right here in KC. And it got that reputation, in part, through the work of Bruce Miller, whose own portfolio includes Target Field (baseball’s Minnesota Twins), Allianz Field (soccer’s Minnesota United), and Exploria Stadium (Orlando City Soccer Club).

COLLEGE: B.A., Economics, M.A., Urban Planning-Public Policy, University of Kansas BEFORE WELLSKY: Miller was previously CEO of OptumInsight, an operating unit for United Health, where his team produced record revenue growth and expanded margins while transforming the health services market. At Cerner Corp., he became vice president of technologies, with global responsibility for the company’s managed services, outsourcing, and technology services business units. THE WELLSKY MISSION: The company provides technology solutions—software and other ser vices—for a highly diverse field of health-care disciplines—including blood banks, home health agencies, hospices, rehab facilities, and aging-related public-sector entities. EVER UPWARD: The company has leveraged provider needs during the global pandemic to cross the $500 million revenue threshold and cement its place on the Ingram’s 100, our list of the region’s Top Private Companies.

COLLEGE: B.A., Architecture, University of Cincinnati TAKING THE REINS: Miller was named managing principal for Populous Americas in 2019. ACCOLADES: National media, including Sports Business Journal , Urban Land Magazine , National Public Radio , Design Intelligence , The Business of Sports , and Athletic Business , have all sought Miller’s thought leadership in their sports-design reporting. He’s also served as a guest lecturer at New York University and was a Sports Business Journal 40 Under 40 winner in 2003. ON THE BIG SCREEN: Populous was the creative force behind Major League Baseball’s “Field of Dreams” stadium, built next to the cornfield where they filmed the 1989 Kevin Costner hit. GLOBAL REACH: Founded in 1983, Populous has designed 1,325 stadiums in 34 countries around the world. Combined construction value: $23 billion. Among those facilities are college and pro football stadiums, rugby and cricket fields, track and field venues, and even Australian-rules football sites.

Jonathan Mize PRESIDENT/CEO, BLISH-MIZE CO.

Dayton Moore PRESIDENT, KANSAS CITY ROYALS

His company distributes more than 50,000 items, so it’s no won der Jonathan Mize shared this particular past-year memory: “We removed our old, outdated, loud conveyor system, and replaced it with a modern, efficient whole new system,” he says. “We now have a spiral conveyor system,” with across-the-board efficiency improvement. “It boils down to efficiency,” he says. “Especially when it gets harder to keep and find good, dedicated employees.”

This season marked Dayton Moore’s 16th year with the Royals, and for those keeping score, that’s nearly three times the average tenure of a Major League Baseball executive at that level. In a small-market construct, he helped lead the Royals from the early 21st-century doldrums to back-to-back World Series appearances, winning it all in 2015. As the 2021 season was winding down—his 15th as general manager—he was named president of the club.

COLLEGE: University of Kansas ABOUT BLISH-MIZE: The company, now more than 150 years old, is a supplier to hardware retailers across the central United States. RETENTION INCENTIVES: “Special employee incentives. Not always monetary. Food, prizes, and continued appreciation.” COVID CHANGES: “Changed somewhat; focus more on safety. Stronger group coming out of the pandemic.” KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “Continued expansion of light rail. Needs to service more North and South KC Metro areas. CHIEFS PREDICTION: “16-1. Sixteen wins in honor of Lenny ‘The Cool’ Dawson.”

PERSONAL: Moore is a native of Wichita, Kan., who grew up a Royals fan. FOR THE KIDS: Moore started the “C” You In the Major Leagues Foundation in 2013 to support youth baseball, education, families in crisis, and faith-based programs and organizations. He followed that up in 2018 with the creation of the C-10 Mentoring & Leadership program. RECOGNITION: Kansan of the Year (Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas), Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame, Executive of the Year (Kansas City Sports Commission). PREVIOUSLY: Before coming to the Royals, Moore served as assistant general manager for the Atlanta Braves.

Todd Muenstermann PRESIDENT, DURVET

Allison Murdock MANAGING PARTNER, STINSON LLP

Kansas City’s claim to be in the center of a life-sciences cor ridor is owed in large part to animal-health interests—a lot of cattle and pigs are raised in these parts, after all—and among the biggest players in that space are Todd Muenstermann and his relatively compact team at Durvet. Less than 60 strong in number, they pack a nearly $300 million punch with annual revenues.

The past year witnessed a new, more flexible law firm at Stinson, Alli son Murdock says, by “successfully implementing a permanent hybrid remote work policy that offers our lawyers and operational personnel a valuable opportunity to connect and collaborate in person a few days a week while still enjoying the flexibility of remote work the remainder of the week.” Now, it’s back to the task of client service for one of the reg- ion’s biggest law firms, a specialist in business transactions and litigation.

COLLEGE: B.S.B.A., Marketing & Management, University of Central Missouri UP THE RANKS: Muenstermann has been with Durvet for nearly 26 years. He started in 1996 as a marketing manager, spent three years overseeing sales, and became president in 2015. SALES SURGE: On his watch, top-line revenues have gone from $171 million the year he as sumed leadership to $298.8 million last year. ABOUT DURVET: The company manufactures products, many at its Blue Springs plant, to serve both the production-animal world and companion pet space. PIONEERING: Durvet proudly declares that when it opened in 1970, it was the first entity in the over-the-counter animal-health market to operate within both the manufacturing and distribution spheres. It would become a model for the animal supply chain business.

COLLEGE: B.A., UMKC; J.D., UMKC School of Law RECESSION OUTLOOK: “Somewhat likely, but I’m confident KC and Stinson will successfully weath er any economic downturn. We will continue to grow where our clients need us—whether it’s a geo graphic location or practice area. We hope to substantially deepen our bench in key practice areas while expanding our geographic footprint.” CHALLENGES AHEAD: “Talent acquisition. Engaging in conversation with and recognizing that the next generation of lawyers’ expectations is different from my generation..” KC’S NEXT BIG THING?: “Exciting upgrades to our transportation system and infrastructure such as the KC Streetcar expansion and the deck over I-670 to better connect the south loop of Downtown, and the possibility of a downtown ballpark. KCI’s makeover and the success of the NFL draft and the World Cup in KC may help us land an NBA or NHL team and possibly host a Super Bowl.”

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September 2022

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