Jim Stowers, Jr. and wife Virginia Stowers have made a permanent name for themselves in Kansas City with the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Kansas City is using this institute as the touchstone around which to create a life sciences movement. Much depends on its success. With the senior Stowers concentrating on the institute that bears his name, William Lyons has taken over as President and CEO of American Century in an industry that is only as strong as the economy. Worth watching here, too, is Jim Stowers, III, who serves as Chief Investment Officer, U.S. Growth Equities.

Julia Irene Kauffman heads up the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, named in honor of her mother. A driving force behind the new performing arts center downtown, Kauffman is about to leave her own distinctive imprint on the legacy of Kansas City.

The Commerce Kempers share their power between Kansas City and St. Louis, but there is ample power and a great heritage on this side of the state. Here, the retired chairman of Commerce Bancshares, James Kemper, keeps a keen eye on the William T. Kemper Foundation and is a major benefactor to William Woods University. Here too, son Jonathan Kemper serves as chairman and CEO of Commerce Bank's Kansas City region and vice chairman of Commerce Bancshares. He has also played the key role in the restoration of the downtown library and co-chairs the Missouri Lewis and Clark Bi-Centennial Commission. David W. Kemper serves as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the $11 billion bank holding company, Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

In 1939, A.C. Ferrell Butane Gas Company opened its doors in Atchison as a family-owned gas business. Current Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Jim Ferrell has remained at the helm of the business his father founded since he took over in 1965. More than six decades, two moves, and one name change later after its founding, Liberty-based Ferrellgas has become the leading propane company in America serving more than 1 million customers in 45 states.

A generation ago the blue chip list would have been primarily Protestant. But by dint of the natural evolution of American society, several on the current list are Jewish, and the Dunns are the highest profile Catholic family in town. Founded in 1924 by John Ernest Dunn Sr. and still family owned, J.E. Dunn Construction is by far the largest and most influential commercial contractor in Kansas City and among the top ten in the nation in construction management.

Although patriarch Bill Dunn has moved to an emeritus status, he continues to wield significant influence in the philanthropic community. CEO Terry Dunn now manages the family business and has served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the United Way board. Wife Peggy Dunn holds forth as Mayor of Leawood. Brother Steve Dunn serves as Chairman of J.E. Dunn Construction and is a major player in Downtown restoration. Brother Bob Dunn manages the Dunn Family Foundation and helps shape the destiny of local Catholic philanthropy, and Bill Dunn, Jr. is heavily involved with the operations of the organization.

Chiefs' owner Lamar Hunt envisions a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium before the start of the 2007 NFL season and is willing to put his considerable clout to work to make it happen. Arrowhead means more to Hunt than one might think since his only Kansas City address is his apartment at the stadium. Still, absentee or not, this scion of the Texan Hunts continues to mean more to Kansas City than any block-load of folks in Hallbrook.

Howard Fricke, long time Chairman of the Board at Security Benefit Group of Companies in Topeka has been named the most powerful person in Topeka in a survey conducted by The Topeka Capital-Journal. His star was enhanced when he chose to keep the 110 year-old SBG in Topeka and build a complex south of the Menninger campus. SBG is an asset accumulation, money management and insurance concern that, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, has over $10 billion in assets under management.

John B. Dicus has recently been elected by the board of directors to succeed his father, Jack Dicus, as CEO of the holding company and the banking arm of Capitol Federal Financial in Topeka. Capitol Federal Savings Bank has $8.7 billion in assets and 34 branch locations in the region, employing the equivalent of 705 full-time people. Jack Dicus steps aside after 43 years of holding various leadership positions and remains chairman of the company. John Dicus has been president of the company since 1996 and also serves as chairman of the United Way of Greater Topeka.