The Best of KCK and Wyandotte County
Showcasing Our Diverse and Collaborative Business Community
Nov. 02, 2016
Children’s Mercy Park
4:30-7:30
SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®
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The Best of KCK and Wyandotte County
The Best of KCK and Wyandotte County SHOWCASING OUR DIVERSE AND COLLABORATIVE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
T
he KCK Chamber is having a great year thanks to the leadership of the Board of Directors, the hard work, dedication and passion of our staff, and most importantly, support from our partners and members. It is amazing to work alongside so many talented individuals striving to positively impact Kansas City, Kan.; Wyandotte County; and the Kansas City metropolitan region. Together, we are working towards a bustling, more inclusive, healthier, better-educated, workforce-ready community. When businesses thrive, neighborhoods flourish, and when A2 2016 KCK CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO
people are gainfully employed, progress can be seen and felt. VITAL RELATIONSHIPS
A thriving community doesn’t materialize overnight. It takes thoughtful leadership, inclusive planning, access, awareness and, most importantly, a belief that the best is yet to come! We are excited to be at the forefront of building a vibrant and prosperous community with an outstanding quality of life.
People and relationships drive progress. This is why establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships is integral to the work that the KCK Chamber takes on every day as an advocate, a convener and a resource for business owners and community stakeholders. The KCK Chamber encourages businesses from across the metropolitan area to engage with us, and support the exciting developments occurring throughout the community. We continue to develop, nurture and sustain relationships with employers large and small, local business owners, corporations, elected
Showcasing Our Diverse and Collaborative Business Community
officials, educational institutions, healthcare providers and community stakeholders. CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Sustaining relationships and driving economic progress is not a new concept for the KCK Chamber. Since its inception in 1898, the organization has set about to grow the community and has been an integral voice on behalf of local business. The KCK Chamber has been involved in projects such as the Lewis & Clark viaduct and the former private Victory Hills Golf Course (now known as Painted Hills). The KCK Chamber has also assisted with selling
membership, we encourage businesses of all sizes to become active in the Legislative Committee and play a vital role in assisting with local, state and federal government affairs that directly affect the community.
THANK YOU TO OUR BEST OF KCK AND WYANDOTTE COUNTY SPONSORS! PRESENTING SPONSORS
BEST OF KCK AND WYANDOTTE COUNTY BUSINESS EXPO
We are excited to welcome you to the 2016 Best of KCK and Wyandotte County Business Expo taking place on Wednesday, November 2, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the beautiful, newly renamed, Children’s Mercy Park (Boulevard Members Club). Come and learn more about and meet our amazing
WHEN BUSINESSES THRIVE, NEIGHBORHOODS FLOURISH, AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, PROGRESS CAN BE SEEN.
Security Bank Great Wolf Lodge Design Mechanical Inc. Healthcare Resort of Kansas City Kansas City Aviation Department Mark One Electric Company Inc.
the needed subscriptions to start the Kansas City Kansan newspaper in the 1920s. In more recent years, the KCK Chamber has been heavily involved in changes to the local government, including the change in city government from a three-person commission to a mayor/city council form of government. The Chamber also advocated for the 1997 consolidation of city/county government, which started with a grassroots effort and was carried through to fruition with a fundraising campaign championed by the Chamber. In 2007, the Kansas City Kansas Chamber Foundation was established to assist in funding community and economic development activities in Wyandotte County. The KCK Chamber continues to be an advocate for business and community issues, and leads these efforts through the organization’s Legislative Committee. The Chamber supports a transparent legislative process that follows the traditional committee format to ensure a fair hearing of all legislative issues facing the State of Kansas for the benefit of its citizens. With Chamber
KCK Chamber leadership and members, network with colleagues and friends, and join us in celebrating all the great businesses impacting KCK and Wyandotte County. Guests will enjoy networking with local businesses of all sizes and categories that represent the diverse and collaborative community of Kansas City, Kan. and Wyandotte County. This is a great opportunity to sample the unique “flavor” of our business community and get to know the places and people that make “Here” a good place to be. The KCK Chamber would like to extend a very special thank you to the Best of KCK and Wyandotte County Business Expo sponsors. Their generous support allows us to provide a platform for our members to showcase their services, products and talents.
Nebraska Furniture Mart University of Kansas Hospital Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council McAnany Van Cleave & Phillips Candlewood Suites Kansas Speedway NECA/IBEW Power Partners AT&T Cintas Country Club Bank JR & Co. Roofing Contractors KU Medical Center Main Street Credit Union Neff Packaging NPB
Daniel Silva, president and CEO, Kansas City, Kansas Chamber of Commerce
For more information: www.kckchamber.com
Pipefitters Local 533 KCK Women’s Chamber of Commerce Kansas City Kansas Community College
2016 KCK CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO
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KANSAS CITY KANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
A WORKFORCE DEVELOPER Kansas City Kansas Community College is a public, urban, open-door and comprehensive community college committed to excellence in education. Recently, the college opened the Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center (TEC) at 65th and State Avenue that offers more than 20 high-demand career programs in a state-of-the-art, 130,000-square foot facility. The Center offers hands-on technical skills training programs that lead to certificates and employment in various high-demand fields, including computer technology, service and health occupations, and trade and industrial fields.
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DESIGN MECHANICAL INC.
AN EMERGING ENTERPRISE
Design Mechanical Inc. started with two entrepreneurs who had a dream and came together
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, IS KNOWN FOR ITS DIVERSITY.
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offering services out of their car. In one year, the company generated $9 million in revenue and in five years grew to earn an astounding $20 million. Since its inception in 2003, the company has grown substantially, employing more than 100 service
Not only is Kansas City, Kan., a melting pot
technicians, 150 employees and services more
of cultures, languages and traditions, but
metropolitan area. Design Mechanical Inc. is a
geographically and economically, the community is uniquely versatile. The Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce is proud to serve this diverse, yet collaborative business community, and work as the convener for business owners, investors and community stakeholders. This map helps to demonstrate that diversity (geographically and by business role and impact) of our members and our community.
than 2,000 customers throughout the Kansas City mechanical construction/service company, providing HVAC solutions to the commercial and industrial market. Its headquarters is located in Kansas City, Kan., at I-35 and Cambridge Circle.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HOSPITAL
AN ECONOMIC ENGINE The University of Kansas Hospital accounts for more than 10,000 jobs throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, employing more than 5,000 people from Kansas alone. In 2015, $274 million in wages were paid to Kansas employees and $317.6 million went to services obtained from Kansas suppliers and entities. Not only is KU Med recognized for its impressive economic impact, but the hospital is consistently ranked for its quality and safety of care.
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KANSAS CITY KANSAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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A CONVENER The Kansas City, Kan., community has experienced exponential economic growth during the last five years, and the KCK Chamber is at the forefront of that success by enhancing and leveraging the talents and resources of its diverse members to sustain and catapult development opportunities throughout the metropolitan area. The Chamber is excited to serve as the convener and connector for local and regional businesses to collaborate on efforts that improve the
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economic vitality and quality of life for our diverse region. This in turn creates opportunities in KCK/ Wyandotte County, which build a quality community in which to live, work and conduct business.
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THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF KCK/WYANDOTTE COUNTY
A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ADMINISTRATOR The Unified Government of KCK and Wyandotte County has been recognized as one of the most business-friendly local governments in the region. The UG is home to numerous production facilities, warehouses and distribution centers that make it easier and more profitable to ship raw materials and finished goods. General Motors, Cerner Corp., and most recently, the Amazon Fulfillment Center are just a few of the companies that have chosen KCK and Wyandotte County as their home. Whether by highway, rail or air, KCK offers excellent transportation and marketing advantages for businesses of all sizes.
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EL CENTRO
A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
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El Centro is celebrating its 40th year strengthening communities and improving the lives of Kansans through educational, social and economic opportunities. Established in 1976, the organization has grown from a single location to three, serving more than 12,000 individuals and families per year. Programming for the organization has evolved to include The Academy for Children, workshops on money management and home ownership, health education and healthy living outreach. SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGERÂŽ
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Q & A With 2016 Chair of KCK Chamber of Commerce
Why is KCK/WyCo “A Good Place to Be”? A Q&A WITH VALERIE MUSSETT, GENERAL MANAGER OF DESIGN MECHANICAL INC. AND 2016 CHAIR OF KCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. KCK CHAMBER
Tell us a little bit about
yourself, including your professional history and experience in Kansas City, Kan. VALERIE MUSSETT I’ve been in the HVAC business for almost 30 years. I’ve worked with Bill Iler, president of Design Mechanical, this entire time. We both worked for a previous HVAC contractor. In 2003, Bill Iler started DMI in 45 days! I began working with him Day 1, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m blessed to have him as my mentor and to be able to work with him almost my entire adult career. We considered many areas of the city for our headquarters. KCK kept coming to front of mind due to its location within the metropolitan area and ease in working with local government, the Wyandotte EDC, etc.
KCK has experienced tremendous economic growth and expansion over the past two
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016 | 2017 Rev. C.L. Bachus, Mount Zion Baptist Church
Dr. Doris Givens, KCK Community College
Melissa Clark, CE Distribution Inc.
Don Gray, KC Board of Public Utilities
Alan Deitrich, Sporting Kansas City
Earl Harrison Jr., HG Consult Inc. Engineers & Planners
Ryan Denk, McAnany Van Cleave & Phillips
Mayor Mark Holland, Unified Government of WyCo/KCK
Sarah Frost, TranSystems Corporation
Kevin Jones, ATMOS Energy
Craig Gaffney (Treasurer), Country Club Bank
John J. Jurcyk Jr., McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips
Phil Gibbs Jr. Continental Consulting Engineers Inc.
Sidney King, Liberty Bank & Trust
Dr. Doug Girod, University of Kansas Medical Center
Dr. Cynthia Lane, KCK Public Schools
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Showcasing Our Diverse and Collaborative Business Community
decades. Can you give us some professional insight into why the area has been so successful?
I would attribute the tremendous economic growth of any company, business or community to leadership. Without great leadership, there would be no growth or prosperity. So kudos to the KCK/Wyandotte County leaders who began this tremendous economic growth and to those who continue to strive to keep it going. What makes Kansas City, Kan., an ideal place to own a business?
The ease of working with a local government and their ability to “think outside the box” when it comes to building a strong community and their forward thinking to maintain the growth. It’s refreshing to work with those who have the ability to make decisions that are fair and reasonable, that benefit the community. In your professional opinion, what are some of the challenges that KCK faces over the next two decades in terms of economic development and business retention?
Many challenges come into play when you consider the explosive growth of any
WE CONSIDERED MANY AREAS OF THE CITY FOR OUR HEADQUARTERS. KCK KEPT COMING TO FRONT OF MIND DUE TO ITS LOCATION WITHIN THE METROPOLITAN AREA AND EASE IN WORKING WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
community. And with the amazing advances in technology year after year, who knows what becomes of us in, say, five years? Many challenges are within your control, and many are not. My advice would be, that whatever challenges KCK faces, to consider those in our community as a whole, and don’t become those that divide. Our world revolves around what you believe in, and if you believe in success, then successful you will be.
than ever, helping all businesses in our community (both large and small) with being a voice of reason when it comes to local, state and federal legislative business agendas. The Chamber also uses their vast membership to help small businesses start, grow and succeed. The Chamber helps those larger businesses achieve their community support goals and efforts to help make a stronger community.
What role does the Kansas City Kansas
As a native and longtime business leader
Chamber of Commerce play in sustaining
of the community, can you tell us overall
and expanding the economic landscape of
why KCK/Wyandotte County is “a good place
the community?
to be”?
The KCK Chamber of Commerce plays a significant role in our community through many avenues and facets. The Chamber’s Legislative Committee is bigger and better
KCK is a GREAT place to be! I see the people of KCK/Wyandotte County who want to do business with like-minded people. That’s what makes it “a good place to be!”
Todd LaSala, Stinson Leonard Street LLP
Tony Privitera, Mark One Electric Company Inc.
Linda Lewis, Office Products Alliance
Kirk Sherman, Newmark Grubb Zimmer
Alise Martiny, Greater KC Building & Construction Trade Council
Daniel Silva (President & CEO), KCK Chamber
Valerie Mussett (Chair), Design Mechanical Inc.
Mike Smallwood, Smallwood Lock Supply
Barbara Newby, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of KCK
Norm Smith, NPB Companies Inc.
Randy Nyp (Chair-Elect), Providence Medical Center
Msgr. Stuart Swetland, Donnelly College
Joab Ortiz, Burns & McDonnell
Pat Warren, Kansas Speedway Corporation
Dan Peters, The University of Kansas Hospital
Kate Webb, Coreslab Structures Inc. 2016 KCK CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO
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KCK Chamber Calendar of Events
NOVEMBER | 2016
Events, times and dates subject to change. Please visit KCKChamber.com for more info.
Wednesday 11.2
The Best of KCK & Wyandotte County
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Children’s Mercy Park
Friday 11.4
First Friday Focus
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Great Wolf Lodge
Tuesday 11.8
Resource Business Breakfast
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
KCK Chamber
Thursday 11.10
Business After Hours
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
BHC RHODES
Monday 11.14
Global Entrepreneurship Week Coffee Kickoff
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
KC Cupcake Co. and A Cup on the Hill
Friday 11.18
Congressional Forum
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Reardon Center
DECEMBER | 2016
Events, times and dates subject to change. Please visit KCKChamber.com for more info.
Thursday 12.1
First Thursday Luncheon
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
Tuesday 12.6
KCSourceLink Traveling Office Hours
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
KCK Chamber
Thursday 12.8
Board Chair Reception
4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
KCK Chamber
Tuesday 12.13
Resource Business Breakfast
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Granite City-Village West
Friday 12.16
Congressional Forum
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Reardon Center
Daniel Silva, President & CEO, daniel@kckchamber.com
Kate Kershaw, Director of Partnerships & Membership, kate@kckchamber.com
Nolan Dees, Director of Finance, nolan@kckchamber.com
Katelyn McInerney, Marketing & Events Manager, katelyn@kckchamber.com
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Ga’Brielle Sauls, First Impressions Coordinator, gabrielle@kckchamber.com