Ingrams September 2023

Joe Nueberger PRESIDENT/CEO, KORNITZER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT John Kornitzer founded his Mission-based wealth-management company 35 years ago and led it to regional prominence as one of the 10 largest fee-based firms of its kind here. As of this year, the firm’s $7.3 billion in assets are under new management; Kornitzer brought on a longtime executive leader, Joe Neuberger, to take the torch and run with it. Roughly a third of the AUM are held by high-net-worth investors.

Kathy Nelson PRESIDENT/CEO, KC SPORTS COMMISSION & FOUNDATION Kathy Nelson and company are still basking in the warmth of the fantastic spotlight that shone on KC this year. “Hosting the 2023 NFL Draft was a highlight and honor for both the KC Sports Commission and Visit KC,” where she is also chief executive, she said. “We are still smiling about the success of the economic and community impact, plus the hundreds of millions of viewers both through television and online engagements that watched KC shine!”

COLLEGE: Truman State University KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “Regional transportation.”

COLLEGE: B.A., Accounting, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater THE ROAD TO MISSION: Neuberger spent 28 years with U.S. Bank Global Fund Services in various leadership roles, including six years as president. In succeeding Kornitzer, who remains a portfolio manager, Neuberger has day-to-day management duties and oversees the firm’s long-term growth strategy. MORE CHANGE: At the same time, Kent Gasaway relinquished oversight of the companion Buffalo Funds division, which is now headed by Laura Symon Browne, previously a senior executive with Vanguard. CLIENT DIVERSITY: The firm says clients include foundations, pensions, trusts, family offices, endowment funds, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies.

ON THE NEW KCI: “I personally have used it multiple times; I’ve toured with potential event and convention owners and had staff, family, and friends use it. Every visit and every mention, I burst with pride. It truly showcases Kansas City’s heart.” STAFFING PLANS: “At both the Sports Commission and Visit KC, we plan to add staff to keep up with our recovery and incredible growth model.” BIG AGENDA: Both organizations she leads will play key roles in the run-up and execution of Kansas City’s host-city duties in the 2026 FIFA World Cup series. Host cities, officials project, can expect up to $620 million in incremental economic activity from playing on that stage.

Rex Newcomer PRESIDENT/CEO, DH PACE

Michael Norsworthy CEO, KELLAN RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT

With more than 55 facilities nationwide, over 3,000 employees, and plans to hire more, Rex Newcomer and team are out to improve the safety, security, and convenience of buildings in the communities they serve by installing, maintaining, and servicing all types of door, docking and security systems. Asked what impressed him over the past year, Rex said, “Serving customers at a relatively high level in spite of supply chain shortages and price inflation.”

The company is KRM, but if you’re into fast-casual dining, you prob ably know it better as 54th Street Grill. Michael Norsworthy has that enterprise back on a growth track, and while people aren’t partying like there’s no tomorrow, they’re certainly not in pandemic-panic mode. That was enough to push the company back onto the Ingram’s 100 list of the region’s biggest private companies this year.

2022 REVENUES: $940.22 million RECESSION ODDS: “Under 50% within that time frame (end of 2024).” KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “Downtown baseball stadium.” ON THE NEW KCI: “Fantastic. A game changer for the region.” MORNING LISTEN: “An episode from one of the podcasts I follow.” LEADERSHIP HIRE TRAIT: “Patient persistence.” DREAM CHARITY MISSION: “Educational scholarships for underprivileged children.”

2022 REVENUES: $185,000,000 THE CONCEPT: Norsworthy’s father, Tom, launched the company to fill a niche, appealing to both dining and bar customers—but without “bar” food. His goal was a made-from-scratch menu that trumped what national chain competitors could offer. LOCATIONS: Focusing on Kansas City, Saint Louis, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio, the company has extended is reach to 30 locations, with a recent expansion in to the Austin area and another in the works. EMPLOYEES: About 5,000. BEER TEMPERATURE: 29 Degrees.

Tyler Nottberg CHAIRMAN/CEO, U.S. ENGINEERING

Tom O’Grady PRESIDENT, HNTB

People are complimenting U.S. Engineering’s 2023 highlight throughout this issue. “I was proud to be the mechanical contractor for the new KCI terminal,” said Tyler Nottberg. “Whether it was our Field Team Mem bers who put the mechanical systems in place, our Operations Team Members managing the work and interacting with all the other teams on the project, or our Office Team Members making sure paperwork got processed; everybody felt like they were a part of building something that our community can be proud to now have!”

Tom O’Grady’s HNTB is yet another engineering gem in a city teeming with them. HNTB creates transportation infrastructure nationwide, and with an office presence in 79 towns coast-to-coast, literally millions of Americans are driving, riding, and walking with great con venience via HNTB’s expertise. O’Grady has been with the company since 1992, starting out as a civil engineer in Dallas.

COLLEGE: B.S., M.S., Civil Engineering, Vanderbilt University 2022 REVENUES: $1.56 billion

2022 REVENUES: $356.6 million COLLEGE: B.A., Middlebury College RECESSION ODDS: “I got out of the prediction business years ago because I wasn’t any good at it. However, our team will be prepared to deal with whatever comes.” KC’S NEXT THING: “As a host city for the 2026 World Cup, we have an enormous opportunity to showcase our city and region on a global stage. The teams now working on that effort are filled with exceptional leaders who are committed to making our city’s version of that experience a success well beyond the 25 days that the tournament is taking place. We will cement Kansas City’s status as one of the best destinations for events and business in the country.” MENTOR: “Early in my career, I had the chance to work for Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind). I was doing basic grunt work, but he always had time for me. He often talked about the fundamental importance of integrity. Do what you say you’re going to do, demonstrate compassion, exercise self-discipline, and be honest. All these things are easier said than done, but his actions and words set the bar for me.

COMING SOON: HNTB landed a big one this past summer by earning a share of the design duties for the University of Kansas’ Gateway District project in the heart of Lawrence. It includes a $300 million upgrades to Memorial Stadium and a remodeling of the Anderson Family Football Complex on campus. LONGEVITY: HNTB has been in business for more than a century. BREADTH OF SERVICE: HNTB helps clients address issues of financing, legislation, design, con struction, community outreach and ongoing operations. MOTIVATED OWNERS: Like many other large local companies in the design/build sphere, HNTB is an employee-owned company. HOMETOWN RECOGNITION: HNTB secured a spot in the Top 25 of this year’s Ingram’s 100, our ranking of the largest private companies in the region.

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I n g r am ’ s

September 2023

Ingrams.com