At Ingram’s, we take seriously our commitment to honoring, recognizing and congratulating members of the Kansas City
business community for their successes and accomplishments, because we know that strong business leaders strengthen our community in many ways, the least of which is setting an example for others to follow.

As Ingram’s enters its 35th year as Kansas City’s premier business publication, we rekindle a once-every-five-years tradition of honoring several of Kansas City’s most successful and effective business leaders—we call them Legends —in celebration of their contribution to our community.

They’re a diverse group, hailing from many different industries, but they share a common set of beliefs and values. These outstanding business and civic and government leaders understand the value of imposing demanding goals upon themselves to enhance their knowledge and grow as people. They are guided by a constant desire for self improvement and know that the most valuable benefits are the result of stretching themselves to achieve more than is thought possible. They know there are no shortcuts on the path to success, that honesty, integrity and tenacity are critical to success.
They are ambitious, dedicated and determined. And, without exception, they know the importance of giving back to the community—whether it’s applying their business acumen and leadership to drive change or donating time, money or information. These shared beliefs are the foundation of their personal and professional success, and instrumental in their success is making the Kansas City community a stronger, healthier, and better place for everyone.

Some of these names you will recognize immediately, due to their prominence in the community, the leadership positions they have held, or perhaps for awards they have received. But others in this group may be names you’ve never heard, and whose quiet yet significant contributions have not been recognized in a public way. But in each case, we are privileged to share these profiles with you and extend our deep appreciation to these Legends for their outstanding contributions to Kansas City.

Christopher “Kit” Bond

U.S. Senator, Missouri Former Governor, Missouri

 

After more than 40 years in service to his state and country, Kit Bond announced in January that he won’t seek re-election in 2010, effectively retiring. Bond’s rise in Missouri politics began with a run for Congress in 1968, which ended with a narrow loss to Rep. Bill Hungate. In 1969, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General. He later became Missouri Auditor and in 1970 was elected Governor—the youngest in Missouri history. He’s been a member of the U.S. Senate since 1987. Throughout his political career, Bond has done an outstanding job in using his influence and political clout to better the lives of Missourians. A strong proponent of education, he lobbied successfully to take the Parents as Teachers program statewide, and has served on committees addressing global warming, small business and entrepreneurship, housing and urban development and children’s health protection. He was a major force in launching an all-out attack against deadbeat dads, and led the Senate to pass the Strengthen AmeriCorps Program act, which addresses accounting practices at the Corporation for National and Community Service. He received the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors’ (TAPS) 2008 Honor Guard Congressional Award. TAPS provides emotional support for families of American troops who died in service to their country. Bond’s ability to channel governmental dollars into the local economy have resulted in a new 6,000 employee IRS service center, the renovation of the historic Main Post office and the construction of the postal facility in Union Station.

 

Jeannette Nichols

Arts Supporter, Activist

 

Listing the philanthropic contributions of community activist Jeannette Nichols could easily fill several pages. An avid patron of the arts, recognized both nationally and locally, Nicholas has served on the President’s Advisory Committee on The Arts at the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. She is a loyal sponsor of Friends of the Carter Art Center, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and The Art Institute, serving as Chair of the Art and Design Auction 2007 fundraiser. “I consider the arts very important to our quality of life and to our children's education,” says Nichols. “I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to help initiate new arts activities that draw attention to the unique opportunities in our community.” Nichols also co-chaired UMKC’s $200 million capital campaign
and spearheaded the expansion of the Miller Nicholas library on the UMKC campus. She sits on the steering committees of both the Kansas City Public Library and the Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center. Among the numerous other organizations she supports are the Women’s Employment Network, Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, Kansas City Hospice and Kansas City Free Health Clinic. Listing the awards Nichols has received would take as much space as listing her contributions, but highlights include being named the 2006 Outstanding Kansas Citian by the Native Sons of Greater Kansas City, receiving the 2003 William F. Yates Medallion of Distinguished Service from William
Jewell College.

 

Richard “Dick” Berkley

Former Mayor of Kansas City, Treasurer, Tension Envelope

 

This enigmatic man, always with a camera, is best known for his 12 years as Kansas City mayor (serving another eight years as mayor pro tem). During his term, Kansas City experienced the horror of the skywalk collapse at the Hyatt Hotel. Berkley worked tirelessly to help heal his grieving city and demanded federal investigation into the collapse. Tremendous development happened during his time in office: More than 700 capital improvement projects occurred, including an expansion of Bartle Hall, revitalization of the Quality Hill neighborhood and development of the Linwood Shopping Center. Berkley encouraged diversity in all aspects of the city. The grandson of Tension Envelope founder William Berkowitz and a member of the philanthropic Berkley family, he served as president of the U. S. Congress of Mayors, chairman of Jackson County Sports Authority, chairman of People to People International and was a member of the President’s Task force on Food Assistance. He was appointed International Ambassador by Mayor Cleaver and received the Urban League’s “Difference Makers” award. While mayor, he created numerous commissions, including task forces tackling such issues as food and hunger, drugs, AIDS and the Jazz Commission. Recognition of his efforts and impact has been noted by the Economic Development Corporation, UNICO International, and the local jazz and Hispanic communities. He received the 1991 Kansas City Spirit Award, and was named Kansas Citian of the year in 1994. Appropriately, Kansas City’s riverfront park is named in his honor.

 

Jack Craft

Partner, Lathrop & Gage

 

Jack Craft has left an indelible imprint on Kansas City through his work as a successful and influential lawyer. His “work,” though, accounts for only a portion of the tremendous impact he has had on the city he refers to as “a very handsome, very pleasant place to live.” As a lawyer, he was in the forefront in the effort to bring the consolidated IRS Service Center to the former Main Post Office space in Kansas City, which helped save a beautiful old landmark while bringing several thousand jobs to the Union Station area. He has represented the Alexander Company in the redevelopment of numerous Kansas City urban properties in connection with a $45 million redevelopment project. As a civic leader, he was instrumental in the passage of the initial Bi-State initiative that helped saved Union Station, serving as the chairman of the Missouri Task Force for the Bi-state initiative and chairman and treasurer of the Yes On Union State campaign; was deeply involved in the Bi-State II effort; and was the chairman of the 1990 New Zoo committee. He has chaired or served on numerous boards, many focused on improving the delivery of services to underprivileged families and children’s, including the Family and Community Trust (FACT); Citizens for Missouri's Children; and Family and Children Services of Kansas City. He’s played an active role in the Local Investment Commission (LINC), which is involved in initiatives aimed at developing comprehensive neighborhood services like
welfare-to-work, training for family child care providers.

 

Michael Braude

Former President and CEO, KC Board of Trade; Banker

 

Michael Braude may be retired, but there’s certainly no grass growing under this man’s feet. A native of St. Joseph, Braude is actively involved in Kansas City’s professional community, maintaining affiliations with, among others, Midwest Grain Products, the National Futures Association, Kansas City Life and Hodgon Powder Company. He serves as public director for the board of trade and is a trustee of the LibertyMemorial. Braude has served in many previous leadership roles with the National Grain Trade Council, UMKC and Midwest Research Institute. He describes himself as an enthusiastic “cheerleader” for the Kansas City Board of Trade, now the world benchmark for hard red winter wheat prices and his employer for two decades. Through the years, Braude has shared his wisdom by authoring numerous books for both children and adults and penning thoughtful, insightful articles for regional business publications. He has generously shared his financial expertise through a talk radio show and by teaching money-management courses and seminars. But of all the contributions he makes, he says the one he most enjoys is his role as a board member of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, since his wife is a former teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District. “I just love working with KPERS,” says Braude. “I feel it’s such a wonderful opportunity to give back.” Those who know him well resoundingly describe him as warm, personable, and a born speaker—and clearly, an asset to the city he calls home.

 

Cloude “Bud” Cray

Retired, MGP Ingredients

 

Although he originally hails from Detroit, Cloud Cray has lived his life with the passion of a native northeast Kansan. His career spanned decades at Atchisonbased MGP Ingredients, founded by his father, where he eventually took the reins as company leader in 1962. The company’s steady growth over more than half a century speaks to the intelligence and business prowess of its leadership— talents that Cray has enthusiastically applied to a long list of civic and philanthropic endeavors. He was the organizational chairman of Atchison’s United Way Campaign in 1977, and worked hard to bring theater into the Atchison Community, a project near to his heart. He was also deeply involved in the restoration of Atchison’s historic Santa Fe Depot, which now houses the Atchison Society Museum, Visitors’ Center and Chamber of Commerce offices, and has played a helping role with the Atchison County Historical Society Museum and Heritage Conference Center, which he reports he’s “spending considerable time to keep open.” A strong supporter of higher education, Cray served on the scholarships committee at Benedictine College, and has supported both the Students in Free Enterprise program and a scholarship program that provides financial support to disadvantaged Benedictine students. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Atchison Hospital Association and in 1991 created the Cray medical Research Foundation at KU Med, where he served as member of the Advisory Council. Ingrams extends its deepest gratitude to this generous man for his lifetime of dedicated community service.

 

Paul Copaken

Retired, Copaken White Blitt

 

Kansas Citians need not look far to see Paul Copaken’s professional thumbprint on the city’s landscape. This family-owned commercial real estate development firm, the oldest in the city, is responsible for the development of such local landmarks as Town Pavillion, the 201 Walnut skyscraper, a good deal of the development spanning Johnson County’s College Boulevard and the original Oak Park Mall, as well as the Nordstrom’s expansion wing. Copaken has been fervently devoted to downtown redevelopment as well, all to make Kansas City a better place to live and do business. But it’s not all about development for this philanthropist; he’s also been a generous supporter of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, whose new space in the H&R Block Center now bears the family name; a founding community partner of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey; a member of the Oversight and Capital Steering Committees of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts; a member of the Steering Committee of the Mid-America Regional Council’s “Creating Quality Places: Successful Communities by Design” program; and financial supporter of Artspace and the Center for Practical Bioethics. What drives his devotion? “For 50 years,my business objective has been focused and consistent: create environments where a diverse community can interact for work, shopping and entertainment. For the same 50 years, my passion has been for the visual and performing arts, both essential ingredients in creating the fabric of downtown.” Kansas City owes a debt of gratitude to this talented developer and generous philanthropist for his part in making Kansas City a better place.

 

Len Dawson

Former Chiefs Quarterback KMBC 9 Sports Anchor

 

Fame and notoriety for this Kansas City personality come on two fronts. As the much-beloved Chiefs quarterback from 1963 to 1975, Dawson help put the Kansas City Chiefs on the national football map, leading the team to a victory in Super Bowl IV, for which he won the game’s MVP award. He was named the National Football League’s Man of the Year in 1973, was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1987 and was awarded the NFL’s Order of the Leather Helmet in 2000. Before leaving football in 1975, Dawson planted the seeds for his second successful career, taking on the role of Sports Director for KMBC 9 News in 1966, a position he holds today. He also hosts (and has for more than two decades) “Inside the NFL” on HBO. Dawson remains a powerhouse off screen as well, raising funds for many organizations— particularly those that help children. He has been the Honorary Chairman of the Variety Club Telethon
and also hosts the Len Dawson Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting Truman Medical Center. Dawson’s greatest victory, however, has been beating his 1991 diagnosis of prostate cancer. As a cancer survivor, Dawson is a passionate and prolific spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, addressing audiences frequently to raise awareness and counseling others on what it takes to beat the disease. “I was so lucky to be diagnosed and treated early in the game,” says Dawson. “I am devoted to helping raise awareness among men 40 and older about the importance of being tested.”

 

John C. “Jack” Dicus

Chairman of the Board, Former CEO Capitol Federal Financial

 

In the state of Kansas, two names are absolutely inseparable; Jack Dicus and Capitol Federal. You simply cannot hear one without thinking of the other. Dicus, whose “true blue” banking career spanned nearly 50 years, used his financial expertise and position to demonstrate his tremendous commitment to the state of Kansas. Under his leadership, the bank established a philanthropic arm—The Capitol Federal Foundation—to improve the quality of life in the communities in which the bank operates. The Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to charity, and created the Capitol Federal KU Professorship in Financial Markets. But that’s just one in a long list of support Dicus has brought to the community. Through a million-dollar gift in 2007, the Foundation created the Capital Federal Masonic Distinguished Professorship in Cancer at the University of Kansas—a gift that helps the university create and coordinate a statewide network of cancer care providers. “I think that’s been one of our most important efforts,” says Dicus. “It’s something that brings a lot of good to the whole state.” Dicus has served as trustee of the KU Endowment Association and was Chairman of the United Way of Topeka, an organization in which the Capitol Federal Foundation and Cap Fed employees remain heavily involved. In 1990 he won the prestigious Fred Ellsworth Medallion. In 2003, the Boy Scouts of America, Jayhawk Council, honored Dicus as a “Distinguished Citizen,” and in 2006 he became a member of the Topeka Business Hall of Fame.

 

Ed Eilert

Former Mayor, Overland Park

 

Mayor of Overland Park from 1981 through 2005, Ed Eilert has a long history of using his political clout to the betterment of his community. He was named by the Johnson County Community College Foundation as the Johnson Countian of the year in 2005 for his lasting and positive imprint on the county. As mayor, he was instrumental in bringing Sprint’s corporate headquarters to Overland Park and he also was behind the construction of the Fire Training Center, which is used by many other city and county fire departments in the metropolitan area. Eilert also helped bring the KU Edwards Campus to Overland Park and worked with JCCC to create a training program for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway employees on the college campus. Eilert’s other civil affiliation include his service to the Kansas and Missouri Metropolitan Cultural District [Bi-State Commission], board membership with Services for Seniors and Advocates for Citizens with Retardation, his efforts as a member of the council of advisors for the Emporia State University school of business, and membership on the advisory council for United Community Services and Temporary Lodging for Children. Eilert is also a charter member of the South Overland Park Rotary Club [of which he is a Paul Harris fellow], the Overland Park Historical Society, the Overland Park Arboretum and Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports. His reason for working so hard for the betterment of his community? He puts it simply. “When you live here and raise your family here, you just naturally want to try to make it the best that you can.”

 

Jim Ferrell

Chairman and CEO, Ferrellgas

 

Sometimes those who do the most for those around them somehow miss the spotlight. Such is the case with Jim Ferrell, the force behind the family-owned and successful Ferrellgas propane retailer that ranks among the most successful in the world. Since 1965, Ferrellgas has grown from a single location in Atchison, Kan., into the nation’s largest propane retailer, with well more than 1 million customers in 45 states and one of the first companies in its industry to be traded publicly. Ferrell, an energetic and passionate champion of higher education, has contributed generously to area colleges through the years; Baker University’s gorgeous landscaping was made possible by Ferrell, and Benedictine College is indebted to him for underwriting the renovation of Freshman Hall into the now impressive Ferrell Hall. In 2003, Ferrell received the Yates Medallion from William Jewell College, the Roundtable Award for Business Achievement from Baker University and the Medal of St. Benedict from Benedictine College. 2005 named Regional Entrepreneur of the Year by the UMKC Bloch School’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. At the same time, friends and business associates established the Jim Ferrell Scholarship Fund at the Bloch school to honor his business acumen and contributions to higher education. Ferrell is modest when it comes to addressing his contributions. “Each year our local colleges and universities prepare young people to positively impact the world in which they will live,” he says. “I am privileged to be able to play a small part in helping them to shape our common future.”

 

Irvine O. “Irv” Hockaday

Former President and CEO Hallmark Cards

 

An energetic and active volunteer in the Kansas City community, this former Hallmark executive is involved in so many philanthropic endeavors it’s a wonder how he finds time for the many corporate boards that seek his advice and counsel— among them, Crown Media Holdings, Estee Lauder, and Sprint Nextel. He also is a member of the Civic Council of Kansas City, served as a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Group, is trustee of the Hall Family Foundation and an advisory board member of the University of Missouri’s City Block Endowment. But look closely and see that Hockaday’s philanthropic interests go right to the heart of human health and wellness. As chairman of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, member of the Mayo Clinic Advisory Group and life trustee of the Midwest Research Institute, he lobbies tirelessly to support Kansas City’s quest to be a national life-sciences hub. He also long challenged civic and business leaders to establish a new statefinanced biosciences corridor stretching from Manhattan to Columbia. In 2007, he led a fundraising campaign to support research programs at KU Med Center and a consortium of area hospitals. “When people in a community can arrive at a shared vision, what can be accomplished expands dramatically,” says Hockaday. “We have come a long way in a relatively short time; but we have the chance to go much further in terms of better health care and economic opportunity for our residents. It is this vision that makes the life sciences project rewarding.”

 

Lowell Kruse

CEO, Heartland Health

 

With a record of service to the community that’s hard to match, Lowell Kruse, CEO of Heartland Health, describes the mission of the organization he successfully led for more than two decades as “committed to improving the health of our communities and providing the right care, at the right place and time, with outcomes second to none.” Kruse came to St. Joseph in 1994 to a two-hospital system consisting ofMethodist Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital. The two facilities competed for patents and community support and offered duplicate services to the community. In 1984, Kruse took over, creating the partnership that became Heartland Health and grew it into not just the largest employer in the region, but also one of the top healthcare organizations in the United States, with a string of awards too long to include here. Kruse has been a driving force in the growth of Buchanan County in other ways, as well. He serves as Vice Chairman for the Missouri Department of Higher Education and is Co-Chair of the Family and Community Trust Board, whose mission is to promote public and private partnerships and community involvement to develop solutions that improve the lives of children and families. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Heartland Foundation, which is all about empowering children and adults in the communities it serves, and to building healthier, more livable communities. After 23 years managing the largest employer in St. Joseph,. Kruse recently announced he will step down in two years as chief executive officer of Heartland Health.

 

Mamie Hughes

Retired School Teacher Community Activist

 

Known far and wide for her optimistic spirit and gracious manner, Mamie Hughes has served on too many boards, committees and organizations to list here. A former school teacher, Hughes is committed to “seeing life as it should be” and understands the promise of good results when she can organize and draw together like-minded persons to work toward a common goal. She was a founding member of the Central Exchange, the Kansas City’s organization that provides leadership development opportunities for women. Her work ranges from communitywide initiatives to individual mentoring, and is based on her belief that communities should be a better place for everyone, regardless of age, race or gender. She’s devoted countless hours to projects that range from supporting the 18th and Vine Jazz District and the longsimmering development of Bruce R. Watkins Drive, to serving on the Charter Jackson County Legislature. In 2007, Governor Matt Blunt appointed her to serve on the Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission and Center for Holocaust Education. She is secretary of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a member of the inaugural class of City Union Mission’s Women Who’ve Changed the Heart of the City, winner of the Edward A. Smith Award for Excellence in volunteer leadership, and has been recognized as one of the 50+1 Influential Women in Kansas City for 2007. When asked what drives her to give of herself so generously, she says “I have gotten help all my life and been taught to give it back. I see myself as an advocate, and where there is need, I must respond.”

 

Senator Pat Roberts

U.S. Senator, Kansas

 

This fourth-generation Kansan has spent a lifetime of public service devoted to his home state, and has a long track record of supporting farmers and agriculture. More recently, his efforts have been instrumental in attracting life science initiatives to Kansas, which has helped lead to the development of the Kansas City Life Sciences Corridor through transportation
projects and research opportunities. He saw the biosciences industry developing in Kansas starting back in 1996 and has looked for ways to enhance its development to promote an industry that has tremendous growth potential. Roberts has been recognized as a regional and national leader in food and bio security. He held the first hearings on the issue in Congress, passed major biosecurity legislation, helped Kansas State Univ, and other Kansas schools gain research in the arena, leading to the Biosecurity Research Institute at Kansas State and helped Kansas land the new National Bio and Agro Defense Facility at K-State. Widely respected throughout the state, he’s also forged a power base in Washington, serving as a former Chair of the Emerging Threats Subcommittee on the Senate Armed Services Committee, a former Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a senior member of the Senate Ag. Committee, Roberts’ leadership on Homeland Security has been with regard to Intelligence Reform and Oversight and on Agroterrorism. As a new member of the Senate Finance Committee, Roberts will provide Kansans increased leadership on legislation ranging from taxes to trade, health care,Medicare and Social Security.

 

Fred Pryor

Founder, Fred Pryor Seminars

 

When it comes to generating organizational results, Fred Pryor quite literally wrote the book. Happily for Kansas City, he took the same skills and talents that enabled him to build one of the most successful professional development organizations in the nation and apply them to improving life for Kansas Citians. At the age of 74 he remains extremely active, serving on the board of William Jewell College, where he created and funds the school’s Pryor Leadership Studies Program. He serves as Director of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, is an officer on the United Way of Greater Kansas City board and a trustee of Cardinal Community, William Jewell’s online Alumni Network. An avid runner and vegetarian, Pryor believes that health of the mind and body are gifts that should be protected and preserved, which inspired him to help fund the creation of the Complementary and Integrative Health Initiative at UMKC School of Medicine. Pryor also supports the University Academy, where the Shirley and Fred Pryor Gymnasium enables the school’s 1,100 students to come together in the name of better health. When asked why he cares so much, he humbly responds, “I love Kansas City and all the positive things it stands for. I became an Eagle Scout when H. Roe Bartle was The Chief. He set such a stimulating example of the joy of giving for me.” Like so many of his fellow philanthropists, Pryor’s long list of awards rival his acts of philanthropy —but surely fall short of appropriately acknowledging this man’s selfless giving of himself and his resources to Kansas City.

 

Sister Joan Sue Miller, SCL

Community Director, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth

 

Sister Joan Sue Miller and the religious community she leads are legendary for their good works throughout the Leavenworth area. She is community director of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL), an order of religious women founded in 1858. Sister Sue now leads 300 sisters who devote themselves to a variety of ministries, ranging from education and health care to parish ministry, social work and even missionary work. She staunchly deflects the spotlight from herself and insists on shining it instead upon her fellow sisters and their special commitment to people who are poor, vulnerable or underserved. A native of Kansas City, Sister Sue attended the former St. Therese Little Flower School and Bishop Hogan High. When asked what drew her to a religious life, she responded, “It’s a call. It came to me both internally and through rubbing shoulders with the people in my life. I knew the Sisters during my time at
Hogan High and I admired them so much. I wanted to be like them and live my life among people I admire.” Sister Sue acknowledges that there have been plenty of challenges along the way and recognizes the escalating need in the community and around the world as the nation’s economic outlook continues to grow every gloomier. “Sometimes it is overwhelming to see the amount of human suffering around us. But I’ve found the best thing that any of us can do is get involved, even in a small way, to do whatever we can to help those in need. In doing so, we find hope and courage and meaning.”

 

Landon Rowland

Retired, Kansas City Southern Chairman, Janus Capital Group

 

During this 13-year tenure as CEO of Kansas City Southern, the 120-year-old company grew to be a dominant northsouth railroad. Two subsidiaries created during Rowland’s leadership have become one of the nation’s largest mutual fund complexes, Janus Capital Group, Inc., and the largest provider of third-party shareholder recordkeeping, DST Systems. By the mid-1990s, the two subsidiaries were so successful that they were spun off, and have gone on to even greater success. Rowland, a titan of business and law, may have retired as head of Kansas City Southern, but he’s not exactly faded into the woodwork. In fact, he is so involved in so many things, it’s a wonder he finds time to stay on top of it all. He is Director and Chairman Emeritus of Janus Capital Group, Chairman of Garden City Bank in Garden City, Missouri and Everglades Financial in Kansas City. He also chairs the Local Investment Commission (LINC), Swope Ridge Geriatric Center, and is a member and Vice Chairman of the Kansas City Health Commission. He is also Chairman of the Metropolitan Arts Fund and serves on the Boards of Directors of numerous organizations, among them Lyric Opera of Kansas City, The American Royal Association, the National Catholic Reporter, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, where he serves as Secretary and Treasurer. He is trustee of the Linda Hall Library, the Midwest Research Institute, the Liberty Memorial Association and the Committee for Economic Development.

 

Louis W. “Lou” Smith

Past Pres., CEO, Kauffman Foundation Past President, Allied Signal

 

For this Legend, taking action to improve and strengthen Kansas City was all in a day’s work: it was actually his job for a portion of his career. Smith joined the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in July 1995 as president and chief operating officer after a stallar 29-year career with Allied Signal [now known as Honeywell International]. In his role at the Foundation, that role, he pursued the organization’s vision to develop selfsufficient people in healthy communities through a variety of initiatives and programs focused primarily on youth development and entrepreneurial success. His impact on the greater Kansas City community during his time with the Foundation was tremendous and the organization grew significantly in total assets, programs and grants during his tenure. He retired in 2002, but remains extremely active in numerous community causes, serving on the boards of directors of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Midwest Research Institute, Union Station Kansas City, H&R Block, Inc., the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art and Sprint. He also chairs a committee of the American Institute of Architects. His accolades include winner of the Heart of America Council’s Distinguished Citizen Award in 2002, the Bridge Builder Award, Kansas City Globe, Human Relations Award, American Jewish Committee, and has received Honorary Doctoral degrees from Lincoln University and the University of Missouri-Rolla.

 

David Ruf

Retired CEO, Burns & McDonnell

 

A gifted and creative business leader, David Ruf will be forever credited with growing Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company into the highly successful and diverse global engineering firm it is today. He, along with nine other officers, added their own personal funds to loan dollars provided by R. Crosby Kemper, Jr. in 1984, enabling the company to buy itself from previous owner Ohio-based Armco. Employee ownership returned Burns & Mac, as the company is affectionately known, to its hometown Kansas City roots. Today, the company is recognized globally as a leader in engineering, architecture, construction and environmental services. “I am humbled to have been part of the team that made Burns & Mac an employee owned firm—one that’s been a great place to work for so many people,” says Ruf. “It was a great ride.” Now 110 years old, the company employs more than 2,800 people and has a well deserved reputation for its community involvement. Ruf was a 1996 winner of the University of Kansas School of Engineering’s Distinguished Engineering Service Award honoring alumni who have maintained a close association with the university for outstanding contributions to the engineering profession and society. He retired at the end of 2003, but is active in the community, serving on, among others, the Board of Trustees of Midwest Research Institute and the Board of Directors of United Missouri Bank and Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company, and supporting the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater KC.

 

U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton

U.S. Congressman, Missouri

 

Congressman Ike Skelton was born in Lexington, Mo., where he still lives today. Because he suffered polio as a child, Skelton was unable to join the armed forces but nonethelss became a student of the military, devouring books. During his impressionable childhood, Skelton met Harry Truman, who inspired him to a life in political service. And no one could argue that Skelton has been and continues to be one tireless public servant. Rep. Skelton has represented Missouri’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1977. A leader in the House on defense issues, Skelton is Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Before his appointment to Congress, Skelton served as Lafayette County Prosecuting Attorney and a Missouri State Senator. He sees his priority as chairman of the Armed Services Committee as “oversight, oversight, oversight.” In his role, he is working on plans to revive the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, which was discontinued when the Republicans gained House control in 1994. Skelton, a widower and father of three, is an Eagle Scout, a member of the Lions Club and vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. “Representing Missourians in Washington has truly been a labor of love for me. As the 11th Congress begins in January, I look forward to working with my colleagues and with a new Administration so that we may produce bold, common-sense solutions to meet the economic and national security challenges we face as a nation.”