A tribute to Kansans and our great state

Last year on Friday, March 13 Ingram’s team sat down to what clearly was one of the oddest meetings of my career. I felt at that time like a military leader addressing troops going into battle and sensing the probability some would not return. Fast forward a year later and thank God nearly all from of our team and Americans have survived this terrible pandemic.

The only other similar experience I’ve had was that terrible morning of September 11 as we watched terrorists attack our nation and fly jets into the twin towers and Pentagon. Naturally we sent our team home that day and I started packing my truck with emergency and medical supplies, a generator, tools and a variety of equipment. After discussing logistics, I realized it may be impossible to access Manhattan to help. I drove instead to Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. where our daughter attended school and I spent the day with her and her friends. That was one of those rare occasions they really appreciated a parent being there. Upon my return I passed KCI with hundreds of grounded jets and not a contrail in the sky. This was the day our nation stood still.

In times like these we reach within for character and the inspiration to do the right thing. All at a time of the unknown. September 11, 2001 and again March 13, 2021 are two dates I’ll always remember. Last year on March 13 we designed the graphic below, which simply states “We’re in it Together”.  For us, this was our brand and beacon to unify our community of friends, family and valued broad readership. We’ve now published more than a million of these impressions.

Over the last year Michelle and I must have driven 70,000 miles of more. We never boarded a plane in this time but made an endless number of trips to the Lake of the Ozarks where we have business interests and took short drives around the region, including to the Flint Hills. In mid-April of last year the fog began lifting concurrent with increasing civil unrest in the cities and guests came to the lake and our bi-state region in droves. And they haven’t stopped coming.

All roads lead to civility found throughout Kansas

Many of our lodging guests come from St. Louis, KC, Des Moines and surrounding states. Others came from New York, LA, Minneapolis, Dallas, Miami and beyond. They, too, were in search for peace and civility and to leave cities of insanity with civil unrest and heightened concerns of the pandemic.

What is considered a fly-over zone is now a desirable destination. And for good reasons that run from the first through the last page of this Kansas Edition. Perhaps publishing a business magazine in our region is the reason of our obsession with history and our deep appreciation for those who preserve it.

The Virtues of Kansas

I grew up in south KC and as a young kid we would spend time with cousins in what once was Gum Springs, Kan. “Shawnee” at that time felt much more removed from KC and genuinely had the feel of the country. My memories include playing in the creek and trying to catch tadpoles, mesmerizing fireworks on July 4 and running free without a remote care in the world. I may have just described nearly every community in Kansas.

Exploring our region and meeting the stewards of communities throughout the state is among our favorite things to do and the 50 Kansans You Should Know tradition is a result of this passion. I believe our communities and states are made up of a remarkable integrated network of great wholesome citizens and stewards of the land. You’ll see what I mean as you navigate the pages of this 2021 issue of The Kansas Edition.

I never had the pleasure of hearing John Denver perform but he remains my favorite musician and likely always will. After enjoying this edition I’d encourage you to play his song called “Matthew” and harmonize on the lyrics: “Yes and joy was just the thing that he was raised on; Love is just the way to live and die; Gold is just a windy Kansas wheatfield; And blue is just a Kansas summer sky.”  

We dedicate this edition to Kansans and the citizens of this great state.