Ingrams September 2023

Polly Thomas PRESIDENT, CBIZ EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Gregg Thompson COMMAND DEPUTY, FORT LEAVENWORTH

Recession? What recession? Polly Thomas is looking ahead and an ticipating growth for her staff of more than 600 in Kansas City, and north of 6,000 across the organization. “Increase staff,” she succinct ly says, assessing the hiring posture there. And for anyone signing on in a leadership capacity, she’ll be looking for to key qualities: “Creativity and problem-solving ability,” are at the top of her list for traits in new hires.

Commanding officers routinely rotate through Fort Leavenworth every year or two, but the region’s biggest military base—with a powerful influence not just on Leavenworth County, but the metro area—has a steadying influence in Gregg Thompson. As the right-hand man for the top leadership, he brings a veteran’s perspective to those duties as a 30-year Army veteran with postings in Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, Korea, Germany, and Hawaii.

COLLEGE: B.S., Physical Therapy, University of Missouri-Columbia KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “What should pursue in the Kansas City region? Further expansion of public transport and Downtown baseball!” ON THE NEW KCI: “It turned out better than expected and is a great first impression for our City. Love the local imprint of vendors and restaurants throughout.” KEY MENTOR: “I have been fortunate to have many mentors during my career. Picking just one is a challenge, but Julie Wilson had an enormous impact on me personally and professionally.” MOST-ADMIRED CEO: “Anne St. Peter locally. Her leadership style and vision is unparalleled.

COLLEGE: B.S., Economics, University of Nebraska; M.A., National-Louis University, Chicago; M.S., Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College ECONOMIC IMPACT: With nearly 5,400 active-duty personnel and global visitors to the Command and Staff General College, the fort accounts for a huge portion of passengers coming through Kansas City International Airport. JOB DUTIES: Assisting the Combined Arms Center’s commanding general with the administration of programs to advance institutional leader development at all levels. He also helps manage three major subordinate organizations, five direct reporting units, and 12 supporting agencies located at Fort Leavenworth and the Presidio of Monterey in California. TRIBUTES: Thompson has some impressive medals of his own, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Her leadership and example of achieving BCorp status is truly extraordinary.” BEST BUSINESS BOOK YOU EVER READ: “ Radical Candor , by Kim Scott.” A CHARITY YOU’D START: “Eliminate disparities in food security and health care.”

David Toland LT. GOV./KANSAS SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

Tucker Trotter CEO, DIMENSIONAL INNOVATIONS

Politician or executive? We’re going with the latter, where David Toland is concerned. After all, how many business figures do you know who knocked out $4 billion in deals last year? Toland has helped push the Sunflower State into the discussion for other pre cision-manufacturing firms and suppliers pondering expansion or re location by playing a lead role in the public-sector team that landed Kansas the Panasonic Energy EV battery plant.

Dimensional Innovations creates experiences and atmospheres you pretty much have to see to believe in an incredible variety of venues— including a certain new airport you’ve probably heard about. Tucker Trot ter is ready to go even further. “We’ve set up a holding company model that offers shared services for all of our companies to utilize, making each company more lean and efficient,” he says. “This has allowed us to make acquisitions and drive growth this year and in the future.”

COLLEGE: B.A., Political Science, M.A., Public Administration, the University of Kansas CALL OF DUTY: Gov. Laura Kelly wasted no time in summoning Toland to Topeka after her election in 2018. Three days before her 2019 inauguration, she announced Toland was her pick to run point guard for the state’s economic development efforts. THERE AND BACK AGAIN: Toland left his native Allen County, where he was a seventh-generation resident, to refine his administrative skills in Washington. He came back home to lead Thrive Allen County, the local economic development entity. GETTING IT DONE: Toland has overseen a wholesale reconstruction of in-state, domestic, and inter national business recruitment teams. He also launched the state’s Office of Broadband Development, re-established a Community Development division and the Kansas Main Street Program, and began the state’s first new economic-development strategic planning process since 1986.

COLLEGE: B.A., Industrial Design, University of Kansas KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “Watch for Atlas 9 coming to the Homefield development; this will be one of the hottest attractions to open in KC ever, coming mid-year 2025. We also need to settle the Royals stadium site debate and get it underway; that will be huge for our city and region.” THE NEW KCI: “DI played a role in the history exhibits, flight simulator, and digital signage. We couldn’t be more proud that we helped play a role in creating such an amazing first impression of our city.” SALUTING MENTORS: “It is really a group of business leaders I meet with for a half day once a month. The amount I have learned from all of them has fundamentally changed me as a husband, father, and CEO.”

MOST-ADMIRED CEO: “Doug Girod, chancellor of the University of Kansas.” BEST BUSINESS BOOK: “ Go Big or Go Home , by Tucker Trotter and Diana Kander.”

Kristin Tyson MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRIVATE AND RELATIONSHIP BANKING, CROSSFIRST BANK One thing Kristin Tyson never forgets is that banking is, at heart, a service industry. “I consider our most significant achievement over the past year to be the care, education, and support that our bankers delivered to our clients during these challenging economic times,” she said. “Our team has shown unwavering dedication in supporting our clients and adapting to their changing needs.”

Richard Wetzel CO-FOUNDER, CENTRIC

Talk about finding a niche: Since he partnered to launch Centric in 2010, Richard Wetzel has helped create a nine-figure power player in multi-family and hospitality projects. Key to that? “Utilizing a pre-fabricated cold-formed steel system that is more versatile than wood framing and cheaper than conventional steel or concrete,” he says. Other factors included development of a strong leadership team and articulating a vision for the future.

2022 REVENUES: $210.8 million COLLEGE: B.B.A., MBA, Finance, Washburn University

RECESSION ODDS: “Probably 30-40 percent. The Fed’s monetary policy is forcing a slowdown to keep inflation and employment in check, and it’s starting to work. Hopefully it will be a soft landing, and they can gradually start easing up on interest rates in the third and fourth quarter of 2024.” KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “BASEBALL! I don’t think one single project could have more impact on the economy of our region than a baseball stadium surrounded by active and vibrant development.” ON THE NEW KCI: “I’m very pleased with its functionality. I’m also excited that we were progressive in hiring a private developer to deliver what the market said we needed … a small-ish modern termi nal with easy access and amenities. I’m a big fan.” ADMIRED CEO: “Nationally, Jamie Dimon with JP Morgan Chase. He was the tip of the spear in the bub ble burst of 2007-2009 and has continued to show energy and leadership through the pandemic (with its resultant inflation and rising interest rates) as well. Locally, I admire several CEO’s, but Lisa Ginter of Com munityAmerica, Tucker Trotter of Dimensional Innovations, and Gayle Packer of Terracon are standouts to me.”

RECESSION ODDS: “The experts are predicting a real chance of a recession by the end of 2024. Higher borrowing costs cause businesses to delay investments and individuals to delay big-ticket purchases. We are working closely with our clients to help them prepare and manage their cash flow through a recession, should it occur.” KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “The KC Current stadium and what it means to women in soccer and women in general! Before we tackle another big project, we need to focus on infrastructure. Our community’s and our new visitors’ safety and security are paramount. There is also a growing need to focus on housing and other resources for low-to-moderate income individuals.” THE NEW KCI: “The new airport is exceptional, and it is already helping as we strive to attract visitors and big-ticket events to the city. It is an outstanding representation of our region, with local products and restaurants.”

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I n g r am ’ s

September 2023

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