Ingram’s 250: The Elite of Kansas City Business

The calendar flips, the inevitable occurs: With each passing day, month and year, the collective business leadership of the Kansas City region continues its change.

Blame some of that, but not all, on the Baby Boom generation’s unstoppable move into retirement. That will continue for slightly more than another decade, thanks to the rise in the retirement age to 67 for the youngest of them. And with 10,000 Americans crossing that threshold every day, it’s inevitable that more than a few will hail from the leadership ranks of companies in this area. 

Retirement, though, isn’t the only factor at work. Some of these dynamic leaders have departed for other, larger markets, in some cases on the order of their global or national headquarters. 

Our seventh installment of the 250 most influential executives in the market will introduce you to roughly three dozen faces you haven’t seen since we first launched this one-of-a-kind feature back in 2016.

The past couple of years have focused on how these thought leaders responded to an unprecedented global health crisis. As the pandemic ebbs—and continues to, we hope—we asked this year’s 250 to tell us about their most significant achievements as life and commerce return to something a little more normal. 

We also ask them to take the temperature of the economy: Do they anticipate a recession? If so, what are they doing to prepare their organizations for a downturn? How are they addressing supply-chain issues, the continuing labor crunch, inflation or higher interest rates?

Beyond their respective corporate interests, we asked everyone what they considered Kansas City’s Next Big Thing, now that the new KCI is almost on-line. And, just for fun, their predicted 2022 record for the Kansas City Chiefs (spoiler alert: “Super Bowl” shows up in many responses).

Some will reflect on key mentors, family, pets, hobbies and other personal details that make for great conversation-starters when you have the opportunity to meet these folks. 

Why do we do this? We’re convinced that undertaking this massive project will lead to a better-informed, better-connected community of business leaders. 

So without further fanfare, meet the 2022 Ingram’s 250. And get to know them.

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