Ingrams September 2023

Ingram’s editors are pleased to present the 2023 Class of the Ingram’s 250: The most influential and powerful business executives and leaders throughout the Greater Kansas City Region. Congratulations! Did we miss anyone? Let us know at Editorial @ Ingrams.com

Dan Abitz PRESIDENT/CHAIR, GBA

Rob Adams PARTNER, SHOOK, HARDY & BACON

Dan Abitz’s GBA provides architecture, engineering and construction for even the most complex building projects. “In 2022, we established a holding company,” he says. “Since then, we have been navigating through the details of what that means for our eight affiliated companies.” With all that conversation, it’s no wonder he prioritizes communication skills for leadership hires. “This proficiency,” he said, “requires excellent listen ing skills and the ability to clearly articulate thoughts and ideas.”

Like the legal version of a lockdown cornerback, Rob Adams specializes in defense, and last year produced another All-Pro level outcome: While other cases nationally were producing bil lions in judgments against Monsanto over its Roundup herbicide, Adams led a Jackson County court trial that ended with jurors absolving Bayer for liability in the case of a man who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

2022 REVENUES: $195.41 million COLLEGE: B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Kansas State University; MBA, Rockhurst University RECESSION ODDS?: “By all appearances, the feds are effectively creating a soft landing. While it is important to acknowledge variations across different markets, we do anticipate a slowdown.” ON THE NEW KCI: “We have successfully transformed our airport into a first-class facility in which we can take immense pride! There is no comparison between what we have today vs. what we had before.” MOST-ADMIRED CEO: “Warren Buffet … He possesses a remarkable talent for not only attracting but also retaining exceptional leaders. His leadership style is characterized by an absence of micro management and a steadfast long-term view of his investment strategy.” BEST BUSINESS BOOK: “One of my favorite business books is The Advantage, by Patrick Lencioni. As leaders, we can do everything right, but to be truly successful, we must create a healthy organization.”

COLLEGE: B.A., University of Kansas; J.D., University of Missouri School of Law FIRM LEADERSHIP: In addition to his role on Shook’s executive committee, serves as co-chair of its practice group for general-liability litigation. PRACTICE SPECIALTIES: His clients largely hail from the worlds of automotive, insurance and reinsurance, pharmaceutical, medical devices, and design and construction, and he provides litigation services in cases of product liability, mass tort, appellate and international matters, intellectual property, and automotive actions, among others. OFF THE CLOCK: Among the organizations that have benefited from Adams’ charitable or civic commitments are the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City, the President’s Council, and the Greenway Fields Homes Association. TROPHY CASE: Adams’ work has produced 30 state, national, media, and legal assn awards for excellence.

Raghu Adiga PRESIDENT/CEO, LIBERTY HOSPITAL

Mauli Agrawal CHANCELLOR, UMKC

A year into his current role, Raghu Adiga has become quite the cham pion for the community his 1,947-member staff serves. Confident that Kansas City’s Northland growth rivals that of Johnson County in Kan sas, he says, “We need to focus on bringing more businesses, enter tainment options, and public transportation in a coordinated manner. With our sport teams, new airport, desirable culture, and workforce, we could be the Midwest destination for travel and residence.”

The trustees of UMKC knew what they were getting when they tabbed Mauli Agrawal as chancellor in 2018: A highly re spected academician and proven researcher of orthopedic and cardiovascular biomaterials and implants. More than that, his bioengineering research group in Texas led to three startups—a dynamic seen as vital to strengthening the university’s mission and bolstering the regional economy here.

COLLEGE: Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka State, India 2022 REVENUES: $984.33 million

COLLEGE: B.A., Technology, Indian Institute of Technology; M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University; Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Duke University CAREER TURN: Before setting his sights on higher-education administration, Agrawal was an engi neer for an automotive company in his native India. HIGH ACHIEVER: Reflecting his commitment to discoveries that can be commercialized, Agrawal has authored 29 patents, and he has been published more than 300 times in scientific journals. IN GOOD COMPANY: Agrawal is a Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering, the National Academy of Inventors, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. PRIORITIES: Immediately upon assuming office, Agrawal announced that UMKC needed to dramati cally increase enrollment in engineering courses. He has also unveiled new scholarships, launched a pair of institutes focused on data science and health equity, and most recently, set out the vision for a $100 million expansion of the health sciences district on Hospital Hill.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT: “Keeping the focus on continuous improvement as demonstrated in patient experience, employee retention and recruitment in the middle of significant headwinds in healthcare.” RECESSION ODDS: “I am an optimist. I think the odds are fairly low.” ON THE NEW KCI: “Very proud to call it ‘our hometown airport.’ Looking forward to more Airlines and more destinations for direct flights.” MORNING READ: “ New York Times digital edition.” IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP SKILL: “Ability to communicate effectively, with conviction and empathy.” DREAM CHARITY MISSION: “Assist everyone to recognize the brevity of human life and redirect the focus to what’s important for each person!” HIRING PLANS: “Hold for the time being, but expect to add more towards the end of our fiscal year as I anticipate expanding our services with a business partnership we are working towards.”

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I n g r am ’ s

September 2023

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