Ingram’s September 2022

John Meara INVESTOR

Tim Petty KC MARKET PRESIDENT, US BANK

He built one of the region’s best-known boutique accounting/ consulting firms from the ground up, enjoyed a four-year run in the Ingram’s 250 based on that record, then retired and head- ed for cooler climes (summer) or the Florida shores (winter). Yet John Meara remains a man of great intellect and influence, most recently for his interest in and potential encouragement to Pana sonic Energy to build its $4 billion battery plant in DeSoto, Kan.

“Adapting to change; it is all around us,” TimPetty told us, is a constant imperative, especially in banking, so “our positioning and innovation in the payments space were a huge plus this year.” And they left no client behind. “It allowed us to help clients navigate everything that has been thrown their way and has been critical in helping companies adapt to a remote operating environment,” Petty recalls. “Those who were not ready had to pivot quickly, and our team was up for the challenge.”

COLLEGE: B.A., Accounting, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; UMKC School of Law MASTERING THE NUMBERS: He founded the accounting firm of Meara, Welch, Browne back in 1977, and led the way there for nearly 42 years before calling it a career in 2019. A PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS: A certified public accountant, he specialized in business valua tion and financial forensics, and carried fraud-examiner certification. BIG DEAL: Meara has an interest in Panasonic Energy, the organization that supplies batteries to Tesla and the trade and the firm that’s committed to build a $4 billion production plant in DeSoto, Kan. Meara may have had influence with Panasonic and a voice in structuring the biggest deal in Kansas History. BIGGER ACHIEVEMENT: “Seeing my 12 kids grow up, get married and succeed in life.” PASSION/HOBBY: “I love the water and boating with friends and family.” THE CAT CAME BACK: We thought he was a goner, but the cat came back . . . returns to the i250.

COLLEGE: B.S., Accounting/Finance, Kansas State University COVID PERSPECTIVE: “The market has changed, and we did too. People want flexibility, and we adjusted our work schedules and policies to formally support a hybrid workforce. It has been well received and helped us to retain and recruit in a very competitive industry.” KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “There has been a huge shift in people choosing where they want to work. No longer just where the job is, but now the job is mobile. That positions Kansas City very well for many years to come.” CHIEFS PREDICTION: “12-5. I think we will make the playoffs and win the division title again. From there, who knows!!!”

Jeanette Hernandez Prenger CHAIRMAN/CEO/PRESIDENT, ECCO SELECT

Mike Poore CEO, MOSAIC LIFE CARE

Jeanette Hernandez Prenger will be recognized by Hispanic Executive as a notable Hispanic professional in the tech industry for her IT services firm’s success, which starts with people. In a challenging year, she says, “we continue to improve our workplace environment and find ways to help our associates stay inspired about what we do. Our goal is to have an environment that is high energy, collaborative and fun while providing the satisfaction of being productive in meeting our mission and vision.”

Upon the departure of Mark Laney earlier this year, Mosaic Life Care turned to long-time health-care executive Mike Poore to fill the CEO’s role on a contract basis. The board needed less than 90 days to determine that Poore was more than a stopgap: He was the man for the job. Board chair Serena Naylor announced his unanimous selection in June, saying that “as interim, he quickly became an exceptional leader for our system.”

COLLEGE: B.S., Health-Services Administration, Auburn University; MBA, University of South Alabama WHY MOSAIC?: “This is a strong system with some of the best physicians, nurses, and caregivers I’ve ever witnessed offering amazing care to patients,” he said. “Mosaic’s financial stability and the partnerships between communities are unlike anything I’ve experienced. I’ve worked across the country, and this is where I want to be.” ABOUT MOSAIC: In addition to the home base in St. Joseph, the health system has care facilities in Maryville and Albany in northwest Missouri and operates clinics throughout northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. BIG DEMAND: In admitting nearly 17,000 patients a year to its acute-care settings and treating multiples of that number in its various clinics, Mosaic ranks among the 10 busiest health-care providers in the Kansas City region.

COLLEGE: B.S., Management Information Systems, Park University RECENT ACHIEVEMENT: “Diversifying our client base and offerings.” RECESSION PROJECTION/ACTION: “Likely. Reducing expenses, overhead and focusing on provid ing more value to our partners.” KC’S NEXT BIG THING? “Should be anchored around creating more experiences for our citizens and visitors. I would love to see the Missouri River become more vibrant with the right investments. Seeing the Currents’ moving to the riverfront and the restaurants and housing being built gives me hope that more people will live and work in KC.” ACCOLADES: Prenger has won numerous industry and business media awards, including her 2011 Women Executives-Kansas City recognition from Ingram’s . And she’s earned all of it; ECCO Select is on the Corporate Report 100 honor roll.

Julie Quirin COO, SAINT LUKE’S HEALTH SYSTEM

Mike Rainen PRESIDENT, RAINEN COMPANIES

Despite the current health-care challenges, Julie Quirin beams about Saint Luke’s standing in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ recent provider assessment; the main hospital topped the list with the system’s three other metro hospitals rank ing among the top six in the area, she happily reports. “This metric is particularly meaningful as it speaks to the heart of our mission, which is providing incredible patient care,” Quirin says.

For more than 20 years, Mike Rainen has developed multi-family apartments, condominium conversion, and industrial properties in the Kansas City area, but his history in real estate runs much deeper. He started with institutional interior design and office furniture wholesal ing, and in 1992, leveraged that success into the purchase of three apartment complexes. That led to the multifaceted, award-winning real estate development and management company he runs today.

HISTORIC SUCCESS: Rainen and his partners purchased the Sulgrave and Regency House apart ments in 2001, turning it into a unique luxury community. It is considered the most successful condominium conversion in Kansas City history. OTHER KEY PROJECTS: Rainen also led the development of the award-winning Cityview Apartments, a 246-unit multifamily property. Expanding from traditional multi-family, Rainen Companies moved into senior living with the development of the 318-unit Gardens at Northgate Village. That project won the Keystone Award from the Northland Clay County Economic Development Commission.

COLLEGE: B.A., Business/Corporate Communications, Buena Vista University; M.A., Organizational Com- munication, University of Kansas ON TALENT: “Pay is incredibly important, and we’ve demonstrated how much we value our work force through measures like implementing two minimum-wage pay increases within about a year. Last winter, in recognition of our employees’ hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, we provided a thank-you bonus to all eligible regular full- and part-time employees.” KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “People across the globe are recognizing the tremendous things happening in Kansas City—we need to take advantage of the momentum and evaluate opportunities that may come our way. We take pride in our partnership with the Kansas City Current—the team has taken Kansas City by storm in its first two seasons, and the rest of the country is starting to take note as well with plans for the first stadium purpose-built for a National Women’s Soccer League team.”

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September 2022

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