It's often said this region has been blessed with great leaders. From new stadiums to major business development, the area's success has consistently involved many of the same hard working and charis-matic people from politics, business and philanthropy.
This is true even when taking a long view. In the 30 years of Ingram's Magazine and its predecessors, one of the most striking aspects is the record of those who have helped build this region. Repeatedly, the key developments that have moved us forward have involved many of the same personalities. Through their vision, leadership and organization, they have helped build the businesses and improve the community.
Some of these people and their works have been obvious. Their contributions and gifts involve public issues that make headlines. Their accomplishments can be seen daily. Others are best appreciated behind the scenes, their work known primarily to only a few. In every instance, however, these people are often "guilty of doing great deeds, well," and of inspiring others to follow their example.
There are some traits that appear in many of these legends. Modesty is one. These are not insincere attempts to appear humble or to minimize accomplishments. Rather, these legends truly recognize that their achievements are the result not only of their own efforts, but also of the efforts of others around them. As one of these leaders noted, "I've been lucky to have been surrounded by good people."
Obviously, association with other people of excellence involves more than good luck. One of the most obvious shared traits from these Living Legends is their recognition of excellence in associates and the organizations with which they work.
Faith and family are other common threads. Although few of these honorees go to the same church or synagogue or even read from the same book, they recognize that their efforts, even the most significant, are only scenes on a very large stage. They maintain a perspective--and often a contagious good humor--about what they do. And because they so obviously enjoy their work, they are still committed to making this a better world.
As Ingram's celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is a good time to salute these Legends and to honor their accomplishments. We are privileged to bring these brief profiles to life and to extend our sincere appreciation to these Legends for what they have done to make our communities better than they found them. We owe them a great debt!
Attorney, Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Celebrated for decades of legal accomplishment, including a re-nowned First Amendment case, Gene Balloun and his wife Sheila Wombles have also been foster parents to 29 children. He has donated hundreds of hours of pro bono legal service while leading the Foster Children of John-son County Inc. Scholarship Fund.
In 1995, Gene represented Olathe students in a successful fight to return a banned book to their school library. When he won the case and $200,000 in legal fees, he and his partner urged the firm to establish a fund to support and promote better understanding of First Amendment rights in public schools.
Yet it’s clear his biggest passion involves foster children. With their first foster child, the couple became active in Foster Children of Johnson County Inc. Gene began providing pro bono adoptions for other foster children. When someone insisted that he take the state allotment of $500 per adoption, he and his wife decided to create the Foster Children of Johnson County Inc. Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Johnson County. The fund provides assistance to foster or former foster children for any type of post-secondary education.
Balloun is sincere when he credits others for these successes. “I work with people who do a lot more than I do,” he insists. “But it is very satisfying. You can see your successes growing up in front of you.”
Chairman, George K. Baum & Co.
Ken Baum has kept a schedule that might make some shudder. He has learned more about more businesses and entire industries than some specialists. Yet the word he uses the most is "fun." And he means it.
Baum entered the business started by his father when he graduated from college in 1952. He still says that graduating was his first great achievement. The second came soon after in the family business.
"My father was ill and no longer here, so I had to jump in," he recalls with a laugh. "I didn't drown, which was a great achievement."
Actually, the post-World War boom was an exciting time to enter financial services. Companies and municipalities throughout the Midwest needed Baum's expertise to grow and prosper. Along the way, Baum learned about everything from small companies that grew to become corporations such as H&R Block, or city finances in Junction City, Ks. "The excitement of listening to people explain what they want to do and helping them was so great," he said. "We had a lot of fun and it was fascinating. We became the top experts in several areas."
Today, Baum watches as his son Jonathan upholds the tradition, and he remains active on several corporate and organization boards. These include efforts for the Nelson-Atkins Museum and several conservation groups, including work with the Nature Conservancy to preserve Kansas prairies.
Chairman of the Board, Block & Company, Inc., Realtors
A driving force who entered Kansas City commercial real estate in 1936, Allen Block attributes his success to consistency.
"The success that we enjoy has been over a long period of years," Block noted. "We've built a number of wonderful relationships with people who have been our partners, our customers and clients for long periods of time. That's the real secret."
Block acquired The Werby Realty and Investment Company in 1940. After serving in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946, he reestablished his real estate business and was joined by his brother and partner, James H. Block. The business operated as a partnership until 1967, when it was incorporated as Block & Company, Inc., Realtors.
Block pushed for opening the admission of women to the Board of Realtors and finally saw the motion through. "That was in the late ‘40s. Don't think I didn't get a lot of static. They had the responsibility and deserved the reward. I was absolutely right."
Block remained active in local, state and national Realtor organizations, and even served as Director of the National Association of Realtors in 1968, 1969 and 1970. He also has been active throughout the community as well. In 1963, he served as Vice President and Director of the National Foundation, Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and the Director of Rosedale State Bank and Trust Company.
Chairman of the Board and CEO,Faultless Starch/Bon Ami Company
Describing Gordon Beaham, III as a true Renaissance man might be redundant. Trained as an underwater demolition and salvage expert with the U.S. Navy, Beaham earned an MBA from Harvard then success- fully operated the family business.
Beaham's grandfather founded Faultless Starch-Bon Ami nearly 100 years ago. Taking over in 1960 as the family's fourth generation company manager, Gordon achieved dramatic market growth by reasserting his product's environmentally-friendly qualities in an increasingly environmentally-sensitive market.
Beaham gives most of the credit to simply being in the right place at the right time. "What you have to do is lean forward and count on serendipity," he observes. "You have to make as many mistakes as you can because that's what you learn from."
A trustee of Midwest Research Institute, Beaham is a director of Students in Free Enterprise, Business Executives for National Security and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. He is a member of the Dean's Committee for International Develop-ment and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard.
His professional and organizational memberships range from chairman of the National Parks Conservation Association to Director for the Grocery Manufacturers of America. A trustee of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., he is active in several organizations related to Princeton University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in engineering.