Business Perspective - Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

Business
Perspective
Our Mission:
July 2016
To enhance the business environment
and quality of life in our community.
Johnson County chambers and school districts
unite for school funding solution
®
Connect with us at opchamber:
Last month, Johnson County chambers
of commerce and public school districts
came together to address the critical
issue of state funding for public schools
in advance of a Special Session of the
Kansas Legislature. At a press conference attended by all local television
affiliates and reporters from numerous
print and electronic media, they released
the following joint statement:
“Johnson County Chambers of Commerce and Johnson County Superintendents from Blue Valley, De Soto, Gardner-Edgerton, Olathe and Shawnee
Mission strongly recommend the Kansas
Legislature fund the school finance
formula Local Option Budget equalization at 81.2 percent for purposes of
equalization and hold all districts harmless. We believe that this is the best
solution for a short-term fix to address
the current situation as a new school
finance formula is developed.”
During the Special Session, that initial
plan evolved into one more acceptable
across the state and seen as the best
option for a short-term fix to keep
schools open and move on to the next,
and much bigger, task of addressing the
adequacy question and developing a new
K-12 funding formula. Tom Robinett,
Overland Park Chamber’s Vice President
of Public Policy and Advocacy, urged
legislators to support their school
districts by voting for Substitute for HB
2001. Our thanks to Johnson County
school districts for a lot of hard work
and a “we rather than me” attitude in
getting the new plan passed.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Thursday, September 8, 2016 – 12:30 shotgun start
Deer Creek Golf Club
Early bird rate: $200 per player
when registering by August 5 - click here.
Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, July 7, 2016 - 5:00 p.m.
Kansas Dental Center, 8625 College Boulevard
Wednesday Wake-up
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 - 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Sprint Winter Garden, 6220 Sprint Parkway
Free for members; $10 for guests
OP After Hours
Business After Hours networking
Tuesday, July 19, 2016 - 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Allegro Ballroom, 7105 West 105th Street
Free for Chamber members; $15 for significant others
of Chamber members; $20 for non-members
Working Lunch
Networking for members only
Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Hereford House, 5001 Town Center Drive
$20 for Chamber members only
Young Professionals at the Royals
Sponsorships & Teams Available!
For sponsorships: Celia at (913) 766-7603
or click here.
Chamber Calendar
Sponsored by
Networking event with tailgating & game
Monday, July 25, 2016 - 5:30-10:00 p.m.
Kauffman Stadium, 1 Royal Way
$18 for members; $23 for non-members
Executive Leadership Series
Featuring Chuck Green, U.S. Secret Service
Thursday, August 4, 2016 - 7:30-9:00 a.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton, 10100 College Boulevard
Per person: $25 for members, $35 for non-members
Table for 10: $280 for members; $385 for non-members
To make reservations, click here or call
(913) 491-3600.
FROM THE CHAMBER PRESIDENT
Chamber Board and Staff
Reflecting on a great leader
BOARD OFFICERS:
I am often asked what I love best about my job. Like you, I have many reasons why
I am passionate about what I do. But at the top of the list of what makes the
chamber profession so special is working with diverse groups of business and civic
leaders who join together to make a difference in our community. On July 1, I
celebrate 29 years in this unique industry that has blessed me with the opportunity
to learn from leaders from across the U.S. and a number of countries from Canada
to China. Today I focus on one leader, not because he is the only person who has
impacted my life, but because he exemplifies the qualities I have seen throughout
my career in so many leaders, all rolled into one.
Like many of you reading this, I met Ben Craig shortly after
moving to town. He called me immediately and invited me to
breakfast, providing me a warm welcome and gifting me with
knowledge that can only come from one of the founders of
the Overland Park Chamber. With that knowledge came
something even more valuable: his support, which has never
wavered in the ensuing years, whether I needed a sounding
board for an idea, an encouraging word or assistance with a
project.
As Ben recently received his diagnosis of terminal liver
cancer, his outlook on life has not changed. In each conversa- Tracey Osborne, CCE
tion I’ve had with him, his focus has been on others and the Chamber President
@ traceylosborne
community issues we both care about. He has praised
leaders for actions taken and for integrity demonstrated.
We’ve talked about a number of things, including the challenges of the school
finance formula and the Special Session, and the importance of voting in the upcoming primary election.
Ben told me he has been given the gift of time: time to
make plans, and time to talk to those who are important to him. But I think we have been given a gift as
well. We have time to reflect upon how much the “Ben
Craigs” we have in our lives mean to us – and to tell
them.
Of course Ben deflects praise and reminds me that
“this” was a team effort. Of course “this” could mean
so many things in reference to Ben’s leadership in our
county these past fifty years. Some of “this” includes
the founding of our Chamber, the development and
expansion of Johnson County Community College,
the creation of the JCCC Foundation and the millions
of scholarship dollars that have changed student lives.
Ben Craig
A few more: Overland Park Rotary Club’s numerous
projects where he has 52 years of perfect attendance, Deanna Rose Children’s
Farmstead where my nieces and nephews love to visit Ben’s Bank and where my
Rotary club built a new playground under Ben’s leadership and countless political
campaigns and dollars raised for numerous charitable causes.
Some don’t know that Ben and I share the chamber bloodline as he was a chamber
executive early in his career. He has been nurturing communities and their development ever since. He was an entrepreneur at the tender age of 17, opening a bicycle
shop. Is it any wonder he would support business and free enterprise as a life-long
banker?
Brad Stratton, Chairman
Overland Park Wealth Management
Michael Tracy, Chair-Elect
OMNI Employment Management Services, LLC
Mike Hess, 1st Vice Chairman
HNTB Corporation
Brett Bogan, 2nd Vice Chairman
Lathrop & Gage LLP
Chris Wally, Secretary
CBRE Kansas City
Tom Fitzsimmons, Treasurer
Central Bank of the Midwest
Marga Spangler, Past Chairman
First National Bank
BOARD MEMBERS:
Marshaun Butler, Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas
Lance Collins, YRC Freight
Greg Crowley, Crowley Furniture
Jarad Falk, Time Warner Cable Business Class
Laird Goldsborough, Valbridge Property Advisors |
Shaner Appraisals, Inc.
Stacie Gram, Swiss Re America Holding Company
Russ Johnson, Hy-Vee Food & Drug Store
Tim Kelley, Valley View Bank
Charles Laird, Menorah Medical Center
Doug Lynn, Sprint
Don Pearce, Pearce Construction Company
Karen Prange, Empower Retirement
Ryan Reeves, UnitedLex Corporation
Bob Regnier, Bank of Blue Valley
Clint Robinson, Black & Veatch
Stephen Rhorer, SPX Cooling Technologies
Dr. Joe Sopcich, Johnson County Community College
Mark Thomas, Copaken Brooks
Lori Wright, Kansas City Power & Light
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS:
Joe Andrick, True North Hotel Group [Convention &
Visitors Bureau board representative]
Bill Ebel, City of Overland Park
Andrew Fogt, Commerce Bank [2016 Chair of Overland
Park Chamber Economic Development Council]
Mayor Carl Gerlach, City of Overland Park
Dana Markel, Overland Park Convention & Visitors
Bureau
Tracey Osborne, CCE, Overland Park Chamber
Dr. Todd White, Blue Valley School District
Greg Wolf, Dentons
CHAMBER STAFF:
Tracey Osborne, CCE, President
Stacey Cowan, Membership Director
Frank Ebling, Controller
Celia Fritz-Watson, Director of Events & Member Services
Julie Hakan, Assistant to the President
Tim Holverson, IOM, Recruitment & Retention Director,
Economic Development
Beth Johnson, CEcD, Senior Vice President of Economic
Development
Stan Lawson, Communications Director
Tom Robinett, Vice President of Government Affairs
Connor Stangler, EDC Policy & Communications Coordinator
Amy Stock, Member Services Coordinator
2
Business Perspective
(continued on the next page)
Business Perspective is published monthly by the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce.
9001 West 110th Street, Suite 150, Overland Park, KS 66210
Phone: (913) 491-3600 • Fax: (913) 491-0393 • opcc@opchamber.org • www.opchamber.org
CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
President’s message continued . . .
Recently we talked a little
politics as we visited at his
home. He is saddened by the
lack of cooperation in all
spheres. He hopes for the
election of leaders who will
return to collaboration and
consensus building, where we
all know that we can’t get
what we want all the time,
but if everyone listens to each
other and gives a little, we
can find solutions. Ben calls it
the “Art of the Possible.” Can
there be a better legacy than
to look for leadership qualities in our candidates this
election season that will guide
us to solutions and the Art of
the Possible?
Ben has taught us well. He
led with integrity, vision and
by his personal example. My
life is enriched by having
known him, and our region is
prosperous from his decades
of commitment. I know the
day will come when I will not
have his smiling face and his
cheery voice on the other
end of my phone line available. But I will cherish these
memories, as I recall his many
lessons of leadership.
Thanks, Ben. You have shown
me the art of so many things
possible.
2016 Leadership class wraps up
with final two sessions
The 2016 Leadership Overland Park (LOP) class held its
final two sessions last month.
During its quality of life
session, the class learned
about arts programming, park
systems and recreational
amenities that keep Overland
Park ranked among the top
cities in the nation for its
quality of life. Chamber
President Tracey Osborne
shared results of a community scan that measured the
pulse of the community on
public policy priorities.
The class’s closing session
featured LOP trivia and
visioning exercises on class
members’ visions for Overland Park and the State of
Kansas. As a wrap-up of their
LOP experience, class members worked on a personal
mission and vision and
established short-term goals
for their future, facilitated by
Suze Parker, Parker Communications Group.
Lynn joins Chamber board
Doug Lynn, Sprint, has
joined the Overland Park
Chamber board of directors.
Lynn joined Sprint in 1994
and has been the company’s
vice president of corporate
development since August
2005. He has primary responsibility for driving and
executing Sprint’s overall
business strategy through
merger and acquisition efforts
and/or creation of strategic
alliances and partnerships.
Lynn began his career in
public accounting and worked
in the savings and loan
Completed applications will
be due to the Chamber office
by October 14, 2016.
Class members participate in
all-day sessions held from
industry from 1988 to 1994.
He received his Bachelor of
Science degree in accounting
from Missouri State University in 1985.
January through June.
The nomination form is
available at www.opchamber.
org or click here.
Click the advertisement below for details.
Nominations for
2017 Class
Nominations for the 2017
Leadership Overland Park
program, which will begin in
January 2017, are due by
noon on September 9, 2016.
July 2016
3
RECENT EVENTS
hosted on June 8 by
Matt Maciel, Principal Financial Group; Elizabeth
Rhodus, Boy Scouts of America; Ashley Martin,
Crowne Plaza Kansas City-Overland Park.
TJ Roberts, Farm Bureau Financial Services; John Frownfelter,
Johnson County Funeral Chapel; Johnnie Lamonte, Overland Park
Funeral Chapel; Paul Schultz, Google Fiber.
Scavenger Hunt in Downtown Overland Park
Participants competed to see who
could produce the longest apple peel
at The Culinary
Center of Kansas
City.
Scavenger hunt clues
were found throughout
Downtown Overland
Park.
The winning team:
Marcela Aguirre,
Crowne Plaza Kansas
City-Overland Park;
Andrea Tadlock, Rock
& Brews; Jessica
Nollett, emfluence
Digital Marketing.
Team member Amy
Haller, California
Closets; is not pictured.
4
Business Perspective
Last month, Overland Park Young Professionals participated in a YP Cares
volunteer event in which they helped with preparations for Stems, the
annual fundraiser for the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland
Park held at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Network Over Lunch!
Hosted by
Wednesday, July 13 - 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Hosted by
5001 Town Center Drive
Wednesday, July 20
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Maximize your busy schedule by networking
during lunch to cultivate new business relationships.
Join us at Hereford House where we’ll have our own private
room to enjoy great food and great conversations.
Winter Garden
6220 Sprint Parkway
Sprint has a way better way
to mobilize your business
(for way less)! Come find out
how and enjoy networking,
coffee and breakfast foods in
the Winter Garden on the
Sprint campus.
Series Sponsor:
$20 per person; Chamber members only (includes lunch)
Space is limited. To register, click here.
Free for members; $10 for non-members
To register, click here
or call (913) 491-3600
OP
Hosted by
Allegro Ballroom
7105 West 105th Street
Tuesday, July 19
Executive
Leadership
Series
Join us for this program
featuring executive insight
on business leadership.
Proudly sponsored by:
INSIGHTS FROM THE TOP
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, August 4
7:30-9:00 a.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton Kansas City-Overland Park
10100 College Boulevard
featuring
Charles Green
United States Secret Service
Charles “Chuck” Green started his law
enforcement career in 1984 as a police officer in Overland Park and
soon became a special agent of the United States Secret Service.
He has been the Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City Field
Office District since October 2002. He is responsible for U.S. Secret
Service protective and investigative operations locally including the KC
Financial Crimes Task Force, and the establishment and operation of
the Kansas City Electronic Crimes Task Force.
Members: $25 per person or $280 for a reserved table of 10
Non-members: $35 per person or $385 for a reserved table of 10
To register, click here or call (913) 491-3600
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun evening of
networking, delicious food
and fun drinks at the beautiful
and lavish Allegro Ballroom.
Free for Chamber members;
$20 for non-members.
To register, click here
or call (913) 491-3600.
Young Professionals
Tailgate Party & Royals Game!
Monday,
July 25
Tailgating at 5:30 p.m.
Game at 7:10 p.m.
$18 for Chamber members;
$23 for non-members.
Join the Overland Park Young Professionals for a night at the K.
Our group will enjoy a tailgate with KC Tailgaters then cheer
on the Kansas City Royals versus the Los Angeles Angels.
Space is limited. To register, click here.
July 2016
5
NEW MEMBERS / REINVESTED MEMBERS
Welcome new members!
We are pleased to introduce these new Chamber members:
FedEx Office Print and
Ship Center
Jami Clark, Senior Center
Manager
11026 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 661-0192
Fax: (913) 661-1520
usa0456@fedex.com
www.local.fedex.com/ks/
overland-park/office-0456
Copying & Duplicating Service,
Shipping Service
FedEx Office Print and
Ship Center
Brian Parnacott, Business
Center Manager
8829 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212
(913) 383-2178
Fax: (913) 649-8795
usa1924@fedex.com
www.local.fedex.com/ks/
overland-park/office-1924
Copying & Duplicating Service,
Shipping Service
FedEx Office Print and
Ship Center
Erica Tuttle, Business Center
Manager
7340 West 135th Street
Overland Park, KS 66223
(913) 239-9399
Fax: (913) 239-9494
usa1847@fedex.com
www.local.fedex.com/ks/
overland-park/office-1847
Copying & Duplicating Service
Shipping Service
FedEx Office Ship Center
Jason Davis, Business Center
Manager
6600 College Boulevard, Suite 135
Overland Park, KS 66211
(913) 491-3407
Fax: (913) 317-8459
usa4547@fedex.com
www.local.fedex.com/ks/
overland-park/office-4547
Shipping Service, Copying &
Duplicating Service
Foodsby
Rob Hess, Partnership
Executive/Market Lead
9393 West 110th Street, 5th
Floor
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 905-3882
rob.hess@foodsby.com
www.foodsby.com
Food Service, Computer Software &
Services
Fry’s Car Care
Donika Fry Kaplan, Owner
3639 West 95th Street
Overland Park, KS 66206
(913) 649-1646
fryscarcare@gmail.com
www.fryscarcare.com
Auto Repair & Service, Tire Dealers
New
Fry’s Tire & Service
Donika Fry Kaplan, Owner
9535 Nall Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66207
(913) 385-3600
fryscarcare@gmail.com
www.fryscarcare.com
Auto Repair & Service, Tire Dealers
New
Earn credits for your referrals
Do you know business
professionals who, like
you, are leaders in their
industry and committed to
supporting the economic
well-being of Overland
Park? Please pass along my
name or I will be happy
to reach out to them.
6
Business Perspective
Each referral that activates
a new membership
with the Overland Park
Chamber will earn you $25
in credit to use for event
registrations or advertising.
– Stacey Cowan,
Membership Director
scowan@opchamber.org
or (913) 766-7604
KC Tailgaters
Meagan Campbell, Owner
7709 Lowell Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66204
(913) 972-3030
melynn2@gmail.com
www.kctailgaters.com
Event Services, Entertainment
Light Years Ahead
Megan Brown Bennett,
Executive Vice President
8812 Hollywood Hills Road
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(310) 505-4224
Fax: (323) 650-2728
megan@lightyearsahead.com
www.lightyearsahead.com
Public Relations Counselors, Social
Media
Maurices
Kristen Lawrence, Store
Manager
6501 West 135th Street
Corbin Park
Overland Park, KS 66223
(913) 851-5854
k10mlaw@gmail.com
www.maurices.com
Retail
Orrick & Erskine, L.L.P.
Timothy Orrick, Attorney
10975 Grandview, Suite 175
Corporate Woods, Building 27
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 888-1777
Fax: (913) 888-1794
www.orricklawgroup.com
Attorneys
These businesses have invested in our community
to keep it vibrant. We encourage you to use them
first when purchasing goods and services.
Member Renewals
We thank these companies for their membership
reinvestments in May 2016:
20+ Years
APAC-Kansas, Inc.-Kansas City
Division
ASE Group, Inc.
BNSF Railway Company
Drs. Hawks, Besler & Rogers
New York Life Insurance
Company
Olathe Public School District #233
Santee Floral Designs, Inc.
Paul Henson Family YMCA
10-19 Years
Capital City Bank
Community Blood Center of
Greater Kansas City
Craig Sole, designs.
The Mutual Fund Store
NBKC
Overland Park Convention
Center/Global Spectrum
Sherwin Williams Company
Stoltz Management Company
Terracon
5-9 Years
Andre’s Confiserie SuisseAndre’s Rivaz
BHC RHODES
Black Feather Farm LLC
Kansas State University Olathe
Kevin Blayney Photography
Mathis Photography
QC Holdings, Inc.
1-4 Years
68’s Inside Sports
American Family Insurance
Benchmark Construction, LLC
Blue Valley Goodyear
Coldwell Banker Goodlife Real
Estate Group
Fortune Financial Advisors, LLC
Greater Kansas City Realty, LLC
The Hayhow Group
Mazuma Credit Union
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Rehabilitation Hospital of
Overland Park
Sunny Day Pediatric Dentistry PA
TelCon Associates
Webster University - Kansas City
RECENT EVENTS
City Councilmember Fred Spears, Chamber President Tracey Osborne and
Chamber Diplomats helped Lexie Pappas and her team celebrate the
opening of Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, 6830 West 119th Street.
For more information: (913) 481-4330 or www.whichwich.com.
City Council President Rick Collins and Chamber representatives helped
Kristen Lawrence, store manager, and her team celebrate a ribbon cutting
for Maurices, 6501 West 135th Street in Corbin Park Shopping Center.
With styles that match your budget and the occasion, Maurices allows you to
express your individuality and feel good about yourself. For more
information: www.maurices.com or (913) 851-5854.
City Councilmember Paul Lyons and Chamber representatives helped Joe
Andrick, True North Hotel Group, and his team celebrate a ribbon cutting
for the newly renovated Residence Inn Kansas City Overland Park,
12010 Blue Valley Parkway. For more information: (913) 491-4444 or
www.marriott.com/kckrp.
City Councilmember Terry Goodman and Chamber representatives helped
owners Roger & Robin Wagy and their team celebrate a ribbon cutting for
Tick Tock Escape Games, 6398 College Boulevard. Tick Tock offers the
chance to solve puzzles in real-time and real life with your friends or
co-workers. But watch the clock – you’ve only got one hour to solve the
puzzle and escape the room. For more information:
www.ticktockescapegames.com or (913) 396-9144.
City Council President Rick Collins and Chamber representatives helped Dr.
Bradley Woodle and his team celebrate a ribbon cutting for the new offices
of Advanced Sports & Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture, 6701 West
121st Street, #200. For more information: www.chiropractorinoverland.
com or (913) 643-1771.
City Councilmember John Thompson and Chamber representatives helped
Amanda Hodges and her team celebrate a ribbon cutting for NOAH’S
Event Venue, 7341 West 133rd Street. Noah’s offers a beautiful,
contemporary setting for business events, weddings and special occasions.
For more information: (913) 634-1743 or www.noahseventvenue.com.
July 2016
7
LEADERSHIP OVERLAND PARK
2016 Leadership Class completes class project
of building playground canopy for KidsTLC
by Jason Wright
JE Dunn Construction
Company
The Leadership Overland
Park Class of 2016 was
introduced to many
charitable organizations in the
community early in our
program. They all were very
deserving of our class project,
but KidsTLC really captured
our hearts. KidsTLC is an
organization in Johnson
County with the mission of
“Transforming lives of
children and families in our
community.”
Once our class decided to
dedicate our efforts towards
helping KidsTLC, we worked
with them to find a need they
had that we felt comfortable
committing to accomplish
within a timeframe of just a
few months. A canopy
structure over their existing
playground made its way to
the top of our list and we set
out to figure out a way to
fund, supply and install it.
We met the canopy provider
on-site and measured the
exact size needed for the
Leadership Overland Park class members hosted a pizza party for
clients at KidsTLC to celebrate the completion of a new playground
canopy.
material. It ended up being
27-foot-wide by 50-footdeep and 13-foot-tall. We had
the company, ABCreative,
quote the project two
different ways; one to only
supply the material, and one
to both supply and install the
material. The quote to only
supply the material was
almost half the cost to both
supply and erect, but due to
safety issues, heavy
equipment, skilled trades and
other issues, our class opted
to raise the additional funds
to purchase both the supply
and installation from
ABCreative. The goal was to
raise $19,000, which would
pay for the project plus
provide a little contingency
money.
Our class decided to sell
raffle tickets for three very
good prizes donated by
classmate’s employers. The
prizes consisted of Kansas
City Royals tickets,
Sporting Kansas City
tickets, and a weekend stay
on the Country Club Plaza.
Raffle tickets were $20 each
so we needed to sell 950
tickets, which worked out to
about 30 tickets per each of
our 33 classmates. After a
shaky first few weeks of
ticket sales and with the
deadline fast approaching,
our class kicked the sales
effort into high gear and
raised $19,790, surpassing
our goal and breaking the
previous Leadership
Overland Park record for
money raised.
Despite considerable rainfall
in May, the canopy was
delivered and installed by
early June. Our class
celebrated with the children
at KidsTLC by hosting a pizza
party. In the following two
weeks, Kansas City
experienced record heat, but
not to worry, the children at
Kids TLC had a nice canopy
to give them shade as the
played.
Thanks to the 2016
Leadership Overland
Park class, LOP alumni,
individuals and
businesses who helped
make this fundraising
effort a success.
Raffle prize donors:
•HDR - Kansas City
Royals tickets
•McCownGordon Sporting KC tickets
•Downtown Overland
Park Partnership Sporting KC tickets
•True North Hotel
Group - Country Club
Plaza staycation
8
Leadership Overland Park class members pose with their class project – a new playground canopy at KidsTLC.
Business Perspective
LEADERSHIP OVERLAND PARK 2016 CLASS MEMBERS
Wade Carr
Keith Carter
Dentons
CommunityAmerica
Credit Union
Joe Drimmel
Kelly Eddy
HDR Engineering
Kansas City Crusaders/
Digital Ally Open
Mary Gerdes
Kate Gunja
INTRUST Bank
City of
Overland Park
Ronnie Chanvitayapongs
Stephanie Cocherl
Ryan Elam
Josh Erhart
Shawnee Mission Health
BHC RHODES
Matt Hartman
RubinBrown LLP
Rachel Mayfield
Charles McAllister
Dusty Sease
Sam Shelhorn
KidsTLC, Inc.
WaterOne
Nichole Waring
McCownGordon
Construction
Johnson County
Wastewater
Harmon
Construction, Inc.
Tanya Wilson
Johnson County
Community College
First National Bank
DLR Group
Darin Heyen
Blue Valley
School District
Robby Steffens
Olsson Associates
Trevor Winchell
Swiss Re America
Holding Corporation
Ralph DeGruttola
Mike Fischer
Allegra Gassman
Payne & Jones,
Chartered
Pearce Construction
Company
Tonya Merrigan
Andrea Cook
Ottawa University
Kansas City Campus
Karen Hogan
Midwest Trust
Company
Turner Construction
Fletcher Mulvihill
Black & Veatch
Dana Markel
Overland Park Convention & Visitors Bureau
Lisa Pfeiff
Empower
Retirement
Humana, Inc.
Kate Sweeten
Kristen VanFosson
Downtown Overland
Park Partnership
Neal Woodworth
Douthit Frets Rouse
Gentile & Rhodes
True North
Hotel Group
Jason Wright
JE Dunn Construction
Company
June 2016
9
RECENT EVENTS
Member News & Events
Olathe Public Schools
patrons approved a $156
million mail-in bond election
by 72.3% of the vote. The
bond proposal will touch
every school in the district.
Olsson Associates has
acquired Lutjen, Inc., a
52-person engineering firm in
North Kansas City.
Noah’s Event Venue is
open at 7341 West 133rd
Street, hosting all of life’s
events including weddings,
corporate events and special
occasions.
Which Wich? Superior
Sandwiches has opened its
first Overland Park location
at 6830 West 119th Street.
True North Hotel Group
recently completed major
renovations to the Residence Inn by Marriott,
12010 Blue Valley Parkway.
Corbin Crossing Luxury
Apartments, 6801 West
138th Terrace, has completed
a $1.6 million renovation.
More than 130 employees at
MarksNelson helped eight
nonprofit organizations
during Volunteer Day last
month. The firm received the
2015 IMPACT Award from
the Kansas City Business
Journal for the initiative.
The Shawnee Mission
School District has been
awarded 11 Green Schools
grants totaling $43,462 by the
Kansas Department of Health
and Environment.
Sponsor Spotlight:
Today’s workforce faces a business
environment where the need for rapidly
changing job skills often means
searching for professional education that
develops along with industry demands.
In this competitive climate, the
University of Kansas Edwards
Campus stands as a leading provider of
evolving educational resources for
working professionals in Kansas City and
beyond.
The KU Edwards Campus offers more
than 30 undergraduate and graduate
degree programs while also contributing
to the research and public service
missions of KU. Evening classes and
on-site services help students balance
the responsibilities of work and family.
In addition, the KU Edwards Campus
offers many benefits to the Kansas City
10
Business Perspective
This fall, the KU Edwards
Campus will offer a new
master’s degree in civil
engineering, which has been
ranked by Forbes.com among
the top ten master’s degrees
for job placement.
Grantham University and
YRC Worldwide have
entered into an agreement
that will help YRCW employees gain the advanced education they need to achieve
their career goals.
The KU Edwards Campus
is partnering with the Greater
Kansas City Federal Executive Board to make scholarships and discounts available
to the more than 27,000
federal employees working in
the metro area.
Shawnee Mission Health
(SMH) is partnering with
Metro United Soccer Club to
provide an injury and health
awareness program that
includes use of SMH’s comprehensive sports medicine
program, SportsCare.
Black & Veatch’s 20th
annual Charity Golf Tournament raised $350,000 for
Children’s Mercy as part of
a five-year pledge of $2.1
million to help expand
services at the Center for
Pediatric Genomic Medicine.
Tickets For Less is now an
official sponsor of Arrowhead
Events, the special events
arm of the Kansas City
Chiefs. The agreement
encompasses all ticketed
(continued on next page)
community beyond its academic
programming, including:
• Certificate options in growing areas,
including accounting, business,
communication, engineering,
environmental assessment, global and
international studies, public
administration and science
management, which allow working
professionals to bolster résumés and
explore specializations.
• Skills-building professional
development training through KU
Professional & Continuing Education.
• Degree in 3, a partnership between
KU Edwards Campus, Johnson
County Community College and the
Blue Valley and Olathe school
districts, enables students to earn a
bachelor’s degree in only three years.
• Centers and institutes at the Edwards
Campus partner with the community
to develop innovative research and
address pressing societal needs.
These include the Center for STEM
Learning, Confucius Institute, Hartley
Audiology Clinic, Kansas Center for
Autism Research and Training and the
KU Public Management Center.
Since opening in 1993, the campus has
contributed more than $400 million to
the Johnson County economy through
education, research and service
initiatives. The campus receives annual
funding from the Johnson County
Education Research Triangle (JCERT)
initiative, which has allowed
construction of the Business,
Engineering, Science and Technology
(BEST) Building and the addition of
more than 10 new degree programs
focusing on these key disciplines.
For more information, visit
www.EdwardsCampus.KU.edu.
MEMBER NEWS / ECOMOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Sponsor
Spotlight:
Saint Luke’s South Hospital is a state-of-the-art,
comprehensive health care facility serving Johnson
County, Kansas, and the surrounding communities.
Saint Luke’s South Hospital ranks No. 1 in Johnson
County for heart attack survival, according to Hospital
Compare data tracked by the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services. In 2014, the Cardiac Catheterization
Lab (cath lab) was replaced with the latest technology,
ensuring patients have 24/7 local access to advanced
lifesaving cardiovascular procedures. The Emergency
Department is certified for acute myocardial infarction
(AMI) care for heart attack patients and is also certified
as a Primary Stroke Center.
Saint Luke’s South Hospital is known for its Hip & Knee
Center, a unique environment for patients considering
total joint replacement. The closed unit is dedicated to
orthopedic patients and staffed with specially trained
nurses and therapists. The result is a center with superior
patient outcomes: incredibly low infection rates, short
length of stay, and high patient satisfaction.
From natural births to traditional and high-risk deliveries,
the Birth & Women’s Center offers the advantages of
one-on-one attention and access to the most advanced
medical technology, including a Level IIIa NICU. Spacious
maternity suites allow moms to labor, deliver, and remain
in the same room their entire stay.
The Goppert Breast Center added 3-D mammography in
2013. This advanced technology gives radiologists
exceptionally sharp images and a new view of the
breast’s complex structures, meaning more accurate
readings and a better chance of detecting cancer in its
earliest stages.
For more information: www.saintlukeskc.org/South
or call Saint Luke’s Concierge at (816) 932-5100.
RideKC transit service
expands in Johnson County
Beginning this month, RideKC
transit service expands in
Johnson County so residents
can better reach jobs, higher
education and many stores
and restaurants. The new
route locations were determined after the Overland
Park Chamber facilitated
community forums with
major employers.
A new east-west route on
95th Street, more frequent
service on 75th Street and a
longer route on Metcalf
Avenue will give residents
better access to some of the
county’s major destinations.
For just $1.50 a ride, residents can more easily reach
Oak Park Mall, Johnson
County Community College,
Prairiefire, Corbin Park and
the University of KansasEdwards campus. Regional
connections to the Country
Club Plaza and the new
downtown Kansas City
streetcar also are available.
New and expanded routes
serving Johnson County
include:
Member News continued . . .
providing summer internship
opportunities for college
students according to a study
by CollegeGrad.com. Approximately 150 interns are
working this year in locations
across Black & Veatch’s U.S.
operations.
St. Joseph Medical Center
has earned the American
Heart Association/American
Stroke Association’s Get With
The Guidelines-Stroke Gold
Plus Quality Achievement
Award with Target: Stroke
Honor Roll.
Chamber members recently
receiving AGC Building Excellence Awards included
McCarthy Building Companies, Turner Construction Company, JE Dunn
Construction Company,
McCownGordon Construction, Pearce Construction
events that utilize the stadium
seating bowl including
concerts, college football
games and other major
events.
AT&T announced investments in 2013-2015 of more
than $675 million in its Kansas
City-area networks to
enhance reliability, coverage,
speed and overall performance for residents and
businesses and to enhance
services that support public
safety and first responders.
Chamber members DEG and
Netsmart Technologies
were recognized by the
Kansas Department of
Commerce with Merit
Awards as part of 2016
Business Appreciation Month.
Black & Veatch is one of the
top-ranked U.S. companies in
Route 75 - between Rosanna
Square and 75th & Troost
Route 495 (New!) - between
Oak Park Mall and Waldo
Route 556 - between Johnson
County Community College/
Prairiefire and UMKC
Route 575 - between KU
Edwards and 75th & Troost
You can sign up for a free
roundtrip pass redeemable
by July 19 at www.ridekc.org.
(continued on page 12)
July 2016
11
Thank you 2016
Corporate Partners
and Sponsors
for your continued support!
Corporate Partners
Kansas House District 21
July 11 – 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Dororthy Hughes (R), Neil Patrick
Melton (R)
Kansas Senate District 11
July 12 – 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Sen. Jeff Melcher (R), John Skubal (R)
Kansas Senate District 21
July 12 – 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
(invited): Sen. Greg Smith (R), Dinah
Sykes (R), Michael Czerniewski (D),
Logan Heley (D)
Kansas House District 28
July 13 – 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Rep. Jerry Lunn (R), Joy Koesten (R)
These forums are free, but reservations are encouraged.
To register, click here or call (913) 491-3600.
These events are subject to change without notice. Please confirm before attending.
Candidate events for other races will be announced as they become available.
Member News continued . . .
Corporate Sponsors
Affinis Corp
First National Bank
JE Dunn Construction Company
Kansas City Power & Light
Kansas Gas Service
Saint Luke’s South Hospital
Stoltz Management
The University of Kansas
Edwards Campus
To become a Corporate Sponsor,
contact us at (913) 491-3600 or
tosborne@opchamber.org.
Company, Straub Construction
Company, Rau Construction Company and A.L. Huber General Contractor.
The Special Services Department of the
Olathe School District was selected
as the recipient of the 2016 Whelan
Kansas Leadership for Learning Award.
The University of Kansas Edwards
Campus, recognized as the #8 “Best
for Vets” public university in the nation
in a 2015-16 Military Times survey, is
making its programming more accessible
for current and transitioning military
with courses to be offered in Leavenworth and an online certificate for
military transitioning into the civilian
workforce.
Hank Herrmann will retire as CEO at
Waddell & Reed on August 1. He will
be succeeded by Philip Sanders.
The Olathe Board of Education named
Dr. Patricia All as interim superintendent
of Olathe Public Schools.
MarksNelson LLC has hired five new
team members: Brianna Akers as staff
accountant, Brandon Bowman as staff
accountant, Jon Roberts as market
research analyst, Bethany Zimbelman,
CPA, as staff accountant, and Elsa Zhu
as staff accountant.
Larry Blankenship,PE, has joined Olsson
Associates’ Transportation team as a
senior engineer.
Harmon Construction, Inc., has hired
Sam McCord as Project Manager/Lead
Estimator.
Jody Hanson is now the Community
Relations Manager for Johnson County
Developmental Supports. She formerly was Senior Public Information
Officer for Johnson County Government.
Samantha J. Horner has joined the
Kansas City office of national labor and
employment law firm Fisher & Phillips
as an associate.
Andrew Fogt has been promoted to
Vice President, Healthcare Banking
Division, at Commerce Bank.
Submit company news to Stan Lawson
at slawson@opchamber.org.