Ingrams September 2023

Kevin Sparks PRESIDENT/CEO, UNITEDHEALTHCARE COMMUNITY PLAN OF KANSAS When Congress announced a formal end to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in April, states were required to provide continuous coverage to Medicaid enrollees, and given 14 months to “redetermine” beneficiaries’ eli gibility. “We saw this as an opportunity to lean in,” said Kevin Sparks, “and as sist the state of Kansas in reaching out to and educating the nearly 100,000 Kansans accessing health care via KanCare” during the crisis. Through those efforts, he and his team help thousands of Kansans live healthier lives.

Jeff Spencer SR VP, HOLMES MURPHY & ASSOCIATES

Jeff Spencer is the go-to guy in this market for Holmes Murphy cli ents seeking employee benefits help. And he has been watching his teammates truly earn their own benefits in recent times. Consistency and determination have been the order of the day, Spencer says, and he has seen the Holmes Murphy crew “consistently executing on our vision to internally perpetuate ownership of the company to our next generation.”

COLLEGE: B.A., Political Science/History, Univ of Kansas; M.S., Defense and Strategic Studies, Missouri State Univ RECESSION “We are focused on ensuring that all Kansans have access to quality health care providers in Kansas, including the economically disadvantaged, the medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. We have to be prepared for all economic realities.” ON THE NEW KCI: “I was one that was nostalgic for the three terminal ‘roundhouse’ system. But that was BEFORE I used the new KCI!! Wow, what a huge improvement and a bright spot for the greater KC community.” NEXT THING: “Continue to invest in transportation and affordable housing. Approximately 80 percent of health outcomes can be attributed to factors that happen outside of a doctor’s office. For UnitedHealthcare, address ing these factors is critical as they play a significant impact in the health and well-being of our communities.” SALUTING A MENTOR: “Tom Bowser, former President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Tom is famous for his leadership colloquialisms and one that stuck with me, ‘No matter how far you have succeeded in your career, remember we all put our pants on one leg at a time.’

COLLEGE: University of Kansas RECESSION ODDS: “Less than 50 percent.” ON THE NEW KCI: “I think it’s a wonderful front door to our visitors and very user-friendly to us as citizens of KC.” SALUTING A MENTOR: “Steve Flood, who convinced me to come to Holmes Murphy 20 years ago. He told me to hire smart people, trust them, and get out of their way.” MORNING READ: “ The Wall Street Journal .” LEADERSHIP HIRE TRAIT: “Fearlessness.” DREAM CHARITY MISSION: “Helping veterans who have served our country.” EMPLOYEES: Currently with 90 employees in Kansas City, Spencer says, “we will add to our team next year.”

Tom Spencer SENIOR VP-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ZINNIA

Brad Sprong NATIONAL TAX LEADER, KPMG PRIVATE ENTERPRISE Brad Sprong starts his day with Tax Notes Today and The Wall Street Journal before getting to work on client needs. Having a passion for regional growth, he says, “The next big thing should be a pro-busi ness government environment across our community.” He added that he knows several businesses that have struggled trying to ex pand in the greater metro area due to non-supportive government.

The past year introduced a new brand for the former SE2, but the mis sion continues for Tom Spencer and his team, producing tech tools and third-party administration services for the insurance industry. It’s an offshoot of Security Benefit Corp., where Spencer was a longtime sales executive. He was instrumental in getting the current organi zation off the ground, taking it from a small group of employees to more than 2,000 associates.

COLLEGE: B.A., University of Missouri-Columbia BIG IMPACT: On average every 12 months, Zinnia says it helps launch 10-15 new products and thousands of apps, generating more than $15 billion in new premiums. THE ROAD TO ZINNIA: Spencer has worked with or served as consultant to some big names in the sector, including DST, GE Insurance Solutions, UnitedHealthcare and TIAA. HOBBIES: Travel, hiking, fly-fishing and golf. REGIONAL IMPACT: The company’s growth, and that of its parent, is a significant piece of the long- term strategy set by economic-development officials in Topeka and Shawnee County to boost the fintech presence there. LONG REACH: Nearly two dozen client companies of SE2 administer more than 2 million insurance policies, and have more than $100 million in assets.

COLLEGE: B.S., Accounting, William Jewell KEY ACHIEVEMENT: “Successful re-entry back to the office. It has helped our people grow, improved mental health, and improved our clients’ experience with us.” RECESSION ODDS: “Medium plus. The transportation industry is slowing and this is generally a precursor of what is to follow.” ON THE NEW KCI: “KCI is terrific, great achievement and impact to our community. We finally have an airport vs. an eyesore as the gateway in and out of our community.” KEY MENTOR ADVICE: “Dave Fowler taught me to think about the impact of my words and actions. He is still working on me! My parents taught me to understand others may be dealing with things personally that may cause them to react to things differently than I would anticipate/hope for. Thus, don’t judge peo ple so quickly, as you don’t know what they are dealing with—compassion in all situations is important.”

Anne St. Peter CO-FOUNDER, GLOBAL PRAIRIE

Robert Steer PRESIDENT/CEO, SEABOARD CORP.

Simply put, says Anne St. Peter: “I am proud of our team for embracing both change and growth.” And rightly so. “Global Prairie purchased a digital marketing firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, in January 2023,” she added. “With this deal, we deepened our digital marketing strength, added data scientists, engineers, and digital marketers, and continue to increase our global reach and impact as a firm.” And not just any firm, but as part of a small but influential segment known as Benefit Corporations.

The ranks of publicly held mega-corporations in the Kansas City re gion have been thinned by upheavals in telecom and electronic health records—remember Sprint and Cerner?—but Robert Steer can tell you: people are always going to eat. Based in Merriam, with a com parative handful of employees here, Seaboard casts a global shadow, with more than 5,400 employees in five states (12,000, including af filiates) and operations in pork and poultry processing, energy, milling,

RECESSION ODDS: “As an optimistic entrepreneur, I am going to predict that the U.S. will escape a recession.” ON THE NEW KCI: “I am so very grateful for our new airport and the wonderful first impression it gives visitors to our region.” SALUTING MENTORS: “When I first moved to KC in 1998, I was blessed to meet Henry Bloch, Bob Regnier, Adele Hall, Bob Fisher, Irv Hockaday, Beth Smith, Myra Christopher, Leo Morton, Betsy Solberg, and Tom McDonnell. These leaders taught me, by example, the importance of using our businesses as a force for good in KC and showing up as a business leader—giving both our time and our money to strengthen Kansas City.” MORNING READ: “Our son, William, is a Junior at Notre Dame, and ND distributes a gospel re flection every morning to the ND community. Great way to start my day. Close second— Ingram’s !” (Thank YOU ASP!—You’re our favorite!)

COLLEGE: Kansas State University 2022 REVENUES: $11.24 billion, a Seaboard record, up nearly 22 percent year-over-year. A FORTUNE FAVORITE: That revenue figure was good enough to earn Seaboard a No. 364 ranking on last year’s Fortune 500. GROUNDBREAKING: Steer is the first person in the history of the company, now 105 years old, who is not a member of the Bresky family, which owns the majority of the company’s shares. He’s been with the company for nearly four decades, previously serving as chief financial officer. HOT STUFF: One of the company’s seven operating divisions is Mount Dora Farms, which processes jalapeno peppers at its plant in Comayagua, Honduras. ELITE SHARES: With a 52-week high that topped $4,000, Seaboard boasts what’s easily the highest share price for a publicly traded stock from firms in the Kansas City region.

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September 2023

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