The Converters
These folks have converted a significant weight in the world of commerce into genuine power through consistently applied civic throw.
George Brett. All George has to do is show up. Had he come along in the A-Rod era he might have retired with Helzberg money, but Roderiquez will never have the clout within a community that Brett has acquired by playing his entire Hall of Fame career here in Kansas City. Nor is it every member of the Kansas City elite that has a 400-pound, bronze statue made of him nor a highway named in his honor. Brett's is the power of uncoerced constituency. He and wife Leslie use it for a variety of good causes, most notably ALS.
The Garneys. A big time Northland developer and booster and head of the Garney Co., Charles Garney, as discussed earlier, brings a good deal of weight to the table, just not enough to push OZ over the top. A past co-chair of the KCADC. Charles' wife, Patty Garney, among many other efforts, co-founded the Harvest Ball to raise money for Northland charities.
Betsey Solberg. Solberg has converted her high profile role as regional president of Fleishman-Hillard, an international public relations firm and by far Kansas City's biggest, into a score of major civic postings, including a stint as chairwoman of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the KCADC. Among the more accomplished woman in Kansas City business.
The Copakens. A formidable couple. Paul Copaken is the most visible partner of Copaken White & Blitt, a family business that predates the Country Club Plaza and which develops, owns and manages real estate with an emphasis on shopping centers and office buildings. Wife Bunni Copaken has converted that weight into civic force as she helped drive the Friends of Alvin Ailey, the Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Junior League among others.
Irvine O. Hockaday. Hockaday has used his high profile posting as the president and CEO of Hallmark Cards to rally support for a number of major causes, including statewide campaigns against billboards and concealed carry. He has been a member of the Hallmark board since 1978 and a director of Sprint, Ford Motor Company, Dow Jones Inc. and UtiliCorp United. Hockaday has formerly served as chairman of the board of the 10th District Federal Reserve Bank, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and the Midwest Research Institute.
Jeff Comment. Warren Buffet's guy at Helzberg, Comment has used this post to establish himself as a civic and community leader. To wit, he recently completed a term as Chairman of the United Way board and has involved himself deeply in diversity-related issues in the business community.
Bill Nelson. Nelson lost some of his clout as his banks kept getting sold out beneath him and more when he retired as regional president of Bank of America. Still, he was able to convert his weight into serious roles as vice chairman of the Greater Kansas City Chamber and chairman of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Now that he has gone back to work at George K. Baum Holdings Inc. in Kansas City he'll have a little more weight behind his throw. Wife Barbara Nelson remains a force in civic causes.
Robert Kipp. A former city manager of Kansas City, Kipp converted his political skills into major roles at Hallmark including the direction of the Crown Center Redevelopment Corp. and now vice president of Hallmark Cards Inc. These public positions led to stints as chairman of the board of Midwest Research Institute, chairman of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, and co-chair of the KCADC, among other conspicuous postings.
Jeannette Nichols. With husband Miller recently moved on to that great Plaza in the sky, and the J.C. Nichols company sold, Jeannette Nichols has used her considerable energy for a variety of significant causes. Among them, the Nicholses funded Kansas City's first high-definition television show, "Uniquely Kansas City," to help commemorate Kansas City's sesquicentennial celebration.
Rich Hastings. Hastings has parlayed his role as the CEO of St. Luke's-Shawnee Mission Health System, the area's second largest, into a gig as Chairman of the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce. At least one area business is hoping that he will use this position to dissuade the overly ambitious Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce from competing with its own members.
Tom Watson. Although no longer the "fourth franchise" he was in his heyday, golfer Tom Watson still exerts a considerable philanthropic presence in KC through his Children's Mercy Golf Classic. Watson has literally reshaped the landscape in Parkville with his National Golf Club. Its address on ÒTom Watson ParkwayÓ speaks volumes about Watson's weight in the area. Had the clout years back to force Kansas City Country Club's hand on Henry Bloch exclusion.
Drue Jennings. Jennings just stepped down as CEO of Kansas City Power & Light Co. Still only 54-even after a quarter century with KCP&L-Jennings fully intends to transform his high and positive profile into major civic involvement. To wit, he was recently named the Johnson County Community College Foundation's Johnson Countian of the Year. "Drue combines the rare talents of a dynamic corporate leader and a dedicated volunteer leader," said Dick Bond of the foundation board. "He's been a superstar on both sides of the state line."
Ollie Gates. Although others may have more restaurants than Gates-Lloyd Hill of Applebee's fame has about 1,200 more-Gates has leveraged the power that he does have mightily, especially through his work on the Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation which has become a virtual Gates fiefdom.
Ben Craig. Craig has exploited his involvement with Metcalf Bank, of which he is now Chairman, to become a voice for the Overland Park business community. Over the years he has helped transform Overland Park from a pit stop into a thriving mini-metropolis.
John B. Francis. Once the CEO of the Puritan-Bennett Corp., Francis now heads up the Francis Families Foundation, which was founded by his father. The most visible of several family members involved with the Foundation, Francis has put his weight behind civic projects like the Francis Child Development Institute, an entity that has enhanced the capabilities of many child-care centers, and the Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program for research in pulmonary diseases.
Clyde Wendel. For a guy who came to town just four years ago, it's amazing how he has made his presence felt. Wendel, the president of the Bank of America -Kansas City Region, sits on more boards than most people know exist. These include the Daughters of Charity, the Central City School Fund, the 18th & Vine Authority, Friends of the Zoo, Children's Mercy Hospital and the St. Joseph Health Care Foundation, not to mention the Civic Council and the Business Council of the Nelson Gallery.