You are here
Mentors and Counselors

Dan Axtell
Lexington Plumbing and Heating Co.

Dan Axtell // Mentor
Lexington Plumbing and Heating Co.
Year joined HEMP: 2020
Commercial and industrail plumbing and piping contractor. We have a service division, construction division and emergency utility division. The company was stared in 1945 and we are in our third generation of family ownership.

David Bartel
GrowthPoint Midwest LLC

David Bartel // Mentor
GrowthPoint Midwest LLC, Owner
Year joined HEMP: 2019
I left Vistage in April and announced my retirement. That has opened a floodgate of opportunities to explore options and work with some potentially great individuals! My decision or plan was to sit back and figure out what I want to do..... one thing I felt I needed to do was give back. A mentor at HEMP suggested I learn about what they do. I started looking into it and couldn't be happier! I have been excepted to be a HEMP mentor. At Vistage Worldwide I managed over 140 Chairs (facilitators or coaches) and around 3,300 members. In certain ways similar to HEMP. My current company, GrowthPoint Midwest LLC came about because of requests from others to do consulting and other work for them.

Patrick Jones // Mentee
Patrick's Heating & Cooling Supply
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
As a small, family business, Patrick's Heating & Cooling Supply has provided stellar customer service as Kansas City's wholesale distributor of commercial and residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) supplies and equipment since 2005. Not only do we offer quality in-store services, we also provide online orders to customers across the United States. Our experienced team is committed to delivering our services and products to customers accurately, on time, and at the best value.

Keith Bennett
Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc.

Keith Bennett // Mentor
Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc.
Year joined HEMP: 2017
Emery Sapp and Sons, Inc. (ESS) offers a comprehensive list of services, including excavation, grading, concrete paving, underground utilities, structures and more. ESS is also proud to serve both the private and public sectors of our community for a wide range of project types, including federal, county, municipal, military, aviation, Department of Transportation, residential, multi-family, commercial and substations.

Mitch Rice // Fellow
Commercial Capital Company, L.L.C.
Mentee Class Year: 2017
Matched 2017 - 2020
Commercial Capital is dedicated to providing the best capital equipment financing experience to individual businesses and equipment vendors. We are a family-owned lease financing company that understands that each business has individual capital-financing needs. Our team works one-on-one with business owners and equipment vendors to find the right lease-financing option to suit each capital-equipment purchase. Based in the Kansas City area, Commercial Capital provides equipment leasing nationwide but our main focus is in the Kansas city market.

Allison Berey
M:CALIBRATE

Allison Berey // Mentor
M:CALIBRATE, CEO
M:CALIBRATE provides Growth and Strategic Marketing consulting services to mid-market and fast growing small businesses, as well as working with the private equity and entrepreneurial community. I serve as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer to these businesses between $5MM-$200MM who should not hire a full-time CMO, but which would benefit from seasoned marketing leadership experience on a part-time basis. I also work with a range of expert partners in specialty areas like market research, creative, and PR to ensure that a client's tactical marketing execution is aligned to their strategic objectives.

Richard Brooks
Sandler Training

Richard Brooks // Mentor
Sandler Training
Year joined HEMP: 2007
Gradual, incremental and continuous improvement through transformational training and coaching.
-
Scott King // Mentor
Kendal King Group, co-CEO/CFOMentee Class Year: 2007Matched 2007 - 2010Kendal King Group is all about creating world class, in-store experiences that lift sales. We work with elite retailers and brands to create incremental sales opportunity in-store. Our passion is providing retail marketing solutions that keep customers spending and retail buyers happy. Our newest division is Soapbox Influencer Marketing where we build brands through authentic social conversations. -
Jeff Cates // Fellow
Cates Auction & Realty Co., Inc., President & BrokerMentee Class Year: 2010Matched 2011 - 2013Cates Auction & Realty, Co., Inc. is a third-generation auction marketing firm founded in 1942. We specialize in accelerating the real estate sales process for sellers of residential, land and commercial properties throughout Missouri and Kansas. Our professional staff includes licensed auctioneers, realtors and a marketing department that garner state and national awards. We compress the selling cycle to 30 days by creating buyer urgency and competition through hard-hitting auction marketing customized for each client's property. The end result is a 90% success rate of delivering a scheduled sale at true market value. -
L. Eric Burtin // Fellow
Burtin & Associates, Inc., PresidentMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019Burtin & Associates, Inc. is a facility management company for janitorial, lawn care, snow removal, supply management and light repairs.

Bob Brush
Hallmark Cards--Retired

Bob Brush // Mentor
Hallmark Cards--Retired
Year joined HEMP: 2010
-
Sam Meers // Fellow
Meers Advertising, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2010Matched 2010 - 2013 -
Ron Helmer // Mentor
Synetic Technologies, Inc. , PresidentMentee Class Year: 2011Matched 2013 - 2014Synetic Technologies, Inc. provides IT Asset Dispositions/Management (ITAD/M) services in technology data destruction, reuse, remarking, asset repurposing and reallocation and electronic recycling. -
Austin Bickford // Fellow
BicMedia, Creative DirectorMentee Class Year: 2011Matched 2011 - 2014BicMedia has been producing highly effective and creative marketing tools for clients since 2002. We produce corporate videos, television commercials, jingles, custom music and more! Whether it's "Corporate Hip-Hop" or sales training tools, we work with you to deliver your message and build your brand. See samples of our work at www.bicmedia.com or just give us a call at 816-221-7021 to find out how we can help you grow your business! -
Kenneth Weiner // Fellow
Cohen-Esrey , DirectorMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017 -
Dominique Davison // Fellow
DRAW Architecture + Urban Design, Founding PrincipalMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017DRAW Architecture + Urban Design is an interdisciplinary architecture firm integrating design, research and new technologies in ways that are changing the way people live. -
Lori Ross // Fellow
FosterAdopt Connect, President/CEOMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019FosterAdopt Connect is a non profit social service agency providing innovative solutions to child welfare problems. Our goal is help abused and neglected children to heal. We do that by providing foster and adoptive children a stable, loving and nurturing family environment through support and advocacy for abused and neglected children and the families caring for them.

J. Grant Burcham
Treeline Ventures

J. Grant Burcham // Mentor
Treeline Ventures
Year joined HEMP: 1999

Susan Ahn // Fellow
Great Plains Supply, Inc., President
Mentee Class Year: 2017
Matched 2017 - 2020
Great Plains Supply, Inc. is a wholesale distribution supply house that exclusively fulfills for the swimming pool and spa trade of the Midwest pool market.

Thomas Cameron
Project Group 2000

Thomas Cameron // Mentor
Project Group 2000, CEO
Mentee Class Year: 1999
Project Group 2000 is a comprehensive cell tower service company for Wireless Carriers of all sizes and technologies. The company provides on-call emergency repair and maintenance services, as well as fully documented site audits and inspections. Its field crews are designed for travel while delivering large-scale projects.
The company currently operates in the Nashville, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri markets and have a proven track record of successful build outs.
-
Ed Van Buskirk // Fellow
IfULoveMe.org, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2013Matched 2013 - 2016The Mission of IfULoveMe.org is to help individuals, families, communities, cities, nations and the world experience genuine freedom and joy by knowing, understanding, loving and living the Ten Commandments. -
Vladislav Kaufman // Fellow
Managed Energy SystemsMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020Managed Energy Systems reduces electric, gas, and water costs for commercial and industrial businesses. The business is focused in Utility Bill Audits, Energy Incentives, and Efficient Equipment.

Harry Campbell

Harry Campbell // Mentor
Year joined HEMP: 2018

Daniel Holmgren // Mentee
Imagemakers Inc., President & Creative Director
Mentee Class Year: 2018
Matched 2018 - Present
Imagemakers is a custom web development and marketing agency. We specialize in challenging, custom, online software and website development, user experience work and marketing strategy. Founded in 2001.

Bobby Combs
Truck Accessory Group, LLC

Bobby Combs // Mentor
Truck Accessory Group, LLC, CEO
Year joined HEMP: 2016

Andy O'Hanlon // Fellow
Equip-Bid Auctions, President/CEO
Mentee Class Year: 2016
Matched 2016 - 2019
Equip-Bid.com, Inc is an online only auction company based out of Kansas City. Auctions are conducted daily with thousands of items up for bid online at any given time. Auctions are based at our warehouse, onsite, or through our network of other affiliates that utilize the Equip-Bid platform.

Rita Cortés
Menorah Heritage Foundation

Rita Cortés // Mentor
Menorah Heritage Foundation, Executive Director
Mentee Class Year: 2002
The Menorah Heritage Foundation provides grant opportunities to promote health and well-being in the Greater Kansas City area, with a priority to serve the Jewish community.
-
Michael Crist // Fellow
Stonebridge Outdoor, LLC , General ManagerMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017Stonebridge Outdoor is a landscaping company that specializes in outdoor living spaces. It is our goal to provide our clients with unmatched project experience that provides them with an enhanced lifestyle to enjoy with their family and friends. -
Michelle Macrorie // Mentee
Autism From The Start, Founder, CEOMentee Class Year: 2018Matched 2018 - Present

Essie Davis
E2DPerformance

Essie Davis // Mentor
E2DPerformance, Owner
Year joined HEMP: 2019
Education/Coaching/Consulting - Leadership Health/Wellbeing to improve personal and professional performance.

Pat Strand // Mentee
Total Home of KS, CEO
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
We realize dreams and change lives for the better by creating areas that bring families together, by taking outdated and dis-functional spaces and redesigning them with inspiration, purpose, and functionality that is the setting for the gathering of life.

Ted Davis
Grace Strategic Services, Inc.

Ted Davis // Mentor
Grace Strategic Services, Inc., Owner, President
Year joined HEMP: 2019
Our Mission: Information, Intervention, Improvement. At GSSI we help strategic leaders as they improve personal, team, and organizational performance by delivering actionable information and customizing interventions. Excellent performance drives results.
Our vision is to be a value-added partner who gets results, inspires growth, and fosters excellence. We have two measures of success: the success of our clients and associates and living our core guiding principles daily. We are successful when our clients and associates recognize us as a “partner-of-choice.” We will model a servant’s heart, a scholar’s intellect, a leader’s discipline, a mentor’s encouragement, and a winner’s focus. Our clients grow professionally and personally because we provide a competitive advantage in planning, training, coaching, and management support. We strive for realistic growth of our company and share our success with customers and associates.
Our four service areas are clarifying strategies, aligning systems, growing leaders, and engaging employees.

Keith Murphy // Mentee
RisingSun Solar, President
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
RisingSun Solar is an experienced team of solar professionals who hold solar to a very high standard. Our consultative sales process means we respect the intentions of ever homeowner and custom tailor every solar proposal to fit the unique needs of every home. We’re passionate about helping people save money, save the planet, and get the best technology for their home.

Matthew Denney
StarRecruit LLC

Matthew Denney // Mentor
StarRecruit LLC, Owner
Year joined HEMP: 2019
StarRecruit LLC is a premier IT recruiting firm, with over a decade of experience finding and recruiting the top 5-10% of talent in IT and software markets.
We use proprietary databases, advanced Boolean searches, experience and skill to uncover “hidden”, passive candidates that aren’t looking for work. These high performers don’t show up on job board databases (Dice, Monster, Career Builder, etc). Our candidates are top performing, "free-agents" that are looking to upgrade their careers and lives. To borrow a sports analogy, we use our experience and skill to find the best players on the opposition team and work as their agent to help them upgrade to a team that is a better fit for their career objectives.
Many recruiters are “smile and dial” telemarketers that make 100 calls a day hoping to wear down client companies into “giving them a shot”. This is generally proceeded by the telemarketer sending unemployed, unhappy, unqualified candidates to a client hoping that they are desperate enough to hire the candidate. StarRecruit LLC is quite the opposite.

John Kollhoff // Mentee
Kollhoff Pharmacy
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present

Bill Eddy
Retired - UMKC faculty member and dean

Bill Eddy // Mentor
Retired - UMKC faculty member and dean
Year joined HEMP: 1995
Bloch School of Management

Kay Julian // Mentor
Kay Julian Executive Coaching, President
Mentee Class Year: 2004
Matched 2004 - 2007
By helping clients explore possibilities, gain clarity and align their values, they are able to make changes that untether them from their current state and get them to the future state they desire. As a natural coach invested in their personal growth and development, I’ve been a trusted advisor and go-to resource for many. I’ve formalized this approach by becoming certified as an Executive Coach by UC Berkeley’s Executive Coaching Institute and credentialed by the International Coach Federation. In this process, I’ve coached non-profit leaders, for profit executives, entrepreneurs, those just starting out and those in transition and helped them to make the changes necessary to achieve their goals.

Glenn Fisher
NavMD

Glenn Fisher // Mentor
NavMD
Year joined HEMP: 2019
Purpose Driven Health Intelligence -- Empowering self-funded businesses with insights to make smarter, more informed decisions.

Stephen Haith // Mentee
DSG Equipment and Supplies, Inc.
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
DSG is a full-line wholesale distributor of cleaning equipment and supplies. Our company is one of the oldest Hotsy pressure washer distributors in the country. We also represent Cuda parts washers, Jenfab Cleaning Solutions, Steamericas and Karcher Floor Care. We provide sales, service, parts, accessories, detergents, rentals and financing.

Trevor Flannigan
Flint Group

Trevor Flannigan // Mentor
Flint Group
Year joined HEMP: 2019
Flint Group is a collection of the best residential home service businesses in the country. Our focus is on plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and related home service segments.

David Case // Mentee
Advastar Recruiting & Staffing, President
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
Advastar is a Kansas City based nationwide recruiting and staffing company. We specialize in supporting clients in the Energy, Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing, and Professional Service industries.

David Fowler
KPMG LLP

David Fowler // Mentor
KPMG LLP
Year joined HEMP: 2018
Global Big Four Accounting Firm

Craig Armstrong // Mentee
Loquient Inc, Owner
Mentee Class Year: 2018
Matched 2018 - Present
Loquient provides all-inclusive business technology service and support across the Greater Kansas City area and nationwide. We build long-term relationships based on strategic growth and efficient management of our clients’ information technology infrastructure, software, and assets.

Gary Gilson
Husch Blackwell LLP

Gary Gilson // Mentor
Husch Blackwell LLP
Year joined HEMP: 2018

Tom Wilkins // Mentee
Evolytics, CEO
Mentee Class Year: 2018
Matched 2018 - Present
Evolytics is evolving analytics by inspiring people to use data in ways that make a difference in the world. With a focus on optimizing brand experiences and strengthening business profitability, Evolytics engineers best-in-class digital measurement programs for some of the most respected and recognized brands in the world including Intuit, Kroger and Vail Resorts. Evolytics capabilities span the data lifecycle and include:
• Analytics Strategy
• Digital Measurement Framework and Process Development
• Data Audits
• Analytics Implementation and Tag Management Deployment
• Data Engineering
• Data Visualization
• Reporting and Analysis
• Predictive Analytics
• A/B and Multivariate Testing
• Customized Training
Evolytics was named 2018 Top Analytics Agency by the Digital Analytics Association.

Gregg Givens
Fountain Point Advisory, LLC

Gregg Givens // Mentor
Fountain Point Advisory, LLC
Year joined HEMP: 2020
Business advisory services.

Lawrence Goldstein
Retired

Lawrence Goldstein // Mentor
Retired
Year joined HEMP: 2014
Operating Multiple Locations
Franchising
Business Consulting
-
Shelby Herrick // Fellow
Mentee Class Year: 2018Matched 2018 - Present -
RL Brooks // Fellow
Seen Merchandising , CEOMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020RL Brooks is the owner and CEO of Seen Merch, Ink Tank and Merch Central. All three companies specialize in custom merchandise production and fulfillment for artists, bands, businesses and individuals seeking to reach consumers through custom printed merchandise. In 2009, RL and his brother, Micah Brooks, founded Seen Merchandising in Kansas City. Seen Merch was recognized as the 14th fastest growing company in Kansas City for 2014-2017, according to Ingram’s Magazine.

John Goodman
Pareto Marketing, Inc.

John Goodman // Mentor
Pareto Marketing, Inc.
Year joined HEMP: 2018

Julie Farrell // Mentee
Regents Flooring, President and Owner
Mentee Class Year: 2018
Matched 2018 - Present
Commercial Flooring Material Sales and Installation

Richard Greenwood
Cleaves-Bessmer-Marietti, Inc.

Richard Greenwood // Mentor
Cleaves-Bessmer-Marietti, Inc., Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the board
Year joined HEMP: 2015
An E.S.O.P. company that is an outsource for sales and marketing for various, non-competing manufacturers in the electric utility, telecom and contractor-industrial markets in a seven state territory.
-
Ryan Wyse // Fellow
Code Koalas, CEOMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019Code Koalas is a web and app development company that helps agencies, startups and small to medium businesses solve complex problems. We thrive on things that are difficult and complex. -
Karen Crnkovich // Fellow
DMC Service, Inc., President and Chief Hand ShakerMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020DMC Service is a WBE/DBE certified commercial HVAC & Plumbing contractor. Producing diamond-strong, brilliant-work is our passion and goal.

Scott Hansen
Black Bison Group, LLC

Scott Hansen // Mentor
Black Bison Group, LLC, Principal
Year joined HEMP: 2020

R. Lee Harris
Cohen-Esrey Real Estate Services, LLC

R. Lee Harris // Mentor
Cohen-Esrey Real Estate Services, LLC, President
Year joined HEMP: 2005
Cohen-Esrey is a family of companies involved in apartment management, affordable housing development, apartment acquisition and ownership, tax credit syndication and construction. Harris is also the managing member of iiM, LLC, a venture capital firm that invests in early stage companies in the animal health, agribusiness and human health verticals. Cohen-Esrey operates on a nationwide basis with 450 employees and associates.
-
Mindy Corporon // Fellow
Boyer & Corporon Wealth Mgt. LLC, Chief Executive OfficerMentee Class Year: 2011Matched 2011 - 2014Boyer & Corporon Wealth Management offers comprehensive portfolio management and financial advice to families, foundations and small businesses. -
Kathy Koehler // Fellow
The Koehler Bortnick Team, CEOMentee Class Year: 2008Matched 2008 - 2011The Koehler Bortnick Team, Reece and Nichols, helps you buy and sell more homes in the Kansas City Metropolitan area than any other real estate team. Originally founded in 1996 by mother and daughter duo, Kathy Koehler and Heather Bortnick, our team now includes over 24 full-time, professional Missouri and Kansas real estate agents. -
Dr. Mark Green // Fellow
Kansas City Foot & Ankle, Podiatrist. Owner/CEOMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017Podiatrist; Medical and surgical treatment of the foot and ankle -
Laura Schmidt // Fellow
notes to self, llc, Chief Positive PersonMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019notes to self® socks target the subconscious mind - most receptive early in the morning and late at night - improving your thoughts, actions and performance! Made in the U.S.A.

Bill Hartnett
Shepherd Holmes Group

Bill Hartnett // Mentor
Shepherd Holmes Group, StoryBrand Certified Guide
Mentee Class Year: 2003
Many business owners feel their marketing dollars are wasted on random services. At Shepherd Holmes Group we help businesses create a clear plan that turns their marketing into sales so they can focus on serving customers profitably.
We'd love to help you create a plan that puts your marketing investment to work for you and your business.
Send me your website url and I'll send you a video of a FREE StoryBrand Website Review of your site.

Neil Barnett // Fellow
Care Haven Homes, LLC, Owner/Operator
Mentee Class Year: 2014
Matched 2014 - 2017
Care Haven Homes provides professional care to people suffering with Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia. We operate several comfortable, professionally-staffed, residential homes in Johnson County, Kansas each of which has been renovated to meet the needs of our residents.

Gordon Harton
GFH Business Consulting

Gordon Harton // Mentor
GFH Business Consulting
Year joined HEMP: 2013
-
Michelle Lingenfelser // Fellow
MidWest Vascular Access, Chief Executive OfficerMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017MidWest Vascular Access (MWVA) is a mobile IV team, staffed by registered nurses who are Vascular Access Specialists. We provide the same clinical services that an IV team would provide in a large medical center, but we bring those services to the entire community, regardless of size or acuity. MWVA specializes in placement of difficult peripheral IVs, midlines, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), and various other central venous catheters. We troubleshoot and treat patient and vascular access device complications and provide ongoing education for nurses and physicians. Because we utilize ultrasound guidance, we have a consistent 95% success rate or better and provide services round-the-clock to the communities of Metropolitan Kansas City, Wichita, Springfield, Branson, and St. Louis. -
Scott McRuer // Fellow
UHY LLP/UHY Advisors, Partner/Managing DirectorMentee Class Year: 2013Matched 2013 - 2016National CPA firm serving businesses, individuals and fiduciaries -
Stephen Bastasch // Fellow
Lenexa Manufacturing Company, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020Lenexa Manufacturing Company (LMC) is a new firm of experienced machine designers and assemblers. Through innovation, technology and quality, we are focused on helping our customers be successful. We service and produce spare parts to support baggers and slicers for bakeries. We also refurbish equipment, do custom design and build jobs, and sell hinge blades. We make buying convenient with our extensive on hand inventory and machine shop for custom parts.

Larry Hawks
GrowthPoint

Larry Hawks // Mentor
GrowthPoint, Principal
Year joined HEMP: 2018

Kari Simpson // Mentee
Digital Marketing Inc., President
Mentee Class Year: 2018
Matched 2018 - Present
Directory Marketing, Inc. and Digital Marketing Inc., known as DMI, together are an online, print and mobile marketing agency. Directory Marketing, Inc. was founded in 1998 as a national yellow pages sales and marketing agency to represent yellow pages publishers to ad agencies who represent national advertisers. The first 13 years was focused on growing our market share of the directory publishing industry through differentiating ourselves from the competition through aggressive marketing resulting in significant increases in national revenue for our directory publishers. Digital Marketing Inc. was created in 2011 to establish a digital presence to support directory publishers as they began to transition their business to include digital services for their small business customers. Our relationship with directory publishers was tied entirely to and dependent upon print yellow pages up to this point and I wanted to diversify our business and find a way to add new services to our existing client base. If we hadn’t transitioned our business to include turnkey digital marketing fulfillment for directory publishers, our business today would be approximately 25% of what it was in 2008 when the decline began to happen in the yellow pages. As a result of our transition, we now also offer digital fulfillment services wholesale to media companies, consultants and ad agencies too and have many direct digital services clients in the Kansas City area as well.

Ron Helmer
Synetic Technologies, Inc.

Ron Helmer // Mentor
Synetic Technologies, Inc. , President
Mentee Class Year: 2011
Matched 2013 - 2014
Synetic Technologies, Inc. provides IT Asset Dispositions/Management (ITAD/M) services in technology data destruction, reuse, remarking, asset repurposing and reallocation and electronic recycling.

David Brucker // Mentee
Hometown Lawn
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
For over 10 years, Hometown has provided construction restoration & outdoor property management services to Municipal, Commercial and Residential properties.

Barnett Helzberg
HEMP Founder

Barnett Helzberg // Mentor
HEMP Founder
Mentee Class Year: 1995
The Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation provides support for other charitable organizations especially in the areas of entrepreneurship, education and the arts in Kansas City. Support is given to the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP), University Academy, Friends of University Academy, Helzberg School of Management, The Nelson-Atkins Museum, The Kansas City Symphony, The Kansas City Zoo, Village Shalom, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and other areas.
-
Rick Krska // Counselor
InkCycle, Inc.Mentee Class Year: 1997Matched 1996 - 1999InkCycle is an industry leader in toner and inkjet print cartridge technology. InkCycle provides products to office and computer products resellers, office products superstores, other national chain stores and printer service companies. InkCycle produces and distributes its line of aftermarket toner and inkjet cartridges throughout North America from Lenexa, Kansas. Our two Kansas City metro area locations employ 500 team members and include 90,000 square feet of inkjet manufacturing and administrative offices, 30,000 square feet of toner remanufacturing and service/refurbish work, and 120,000 square feet of warehouse, distribution and empty cartridge processing. -
Craig Novorr // Fellow
Paragon Capital Management, LLCMentee Class Year: 2015Matched 2015 - 2018 -
Andrew Cameron // Fellow
Donutology, OwnerMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019Our company has been serving the Kansas City area to great fanfare and success. After years of research, we've made an astonishing discovery - everyone has a unique donut gene. They want a donut that expresses their unique personalities, so we built a laboratory that lets you experiment with that gene. Donutology is a simple equation - you pick your donut, icing, toppings and drizzle, then we create it right before your eyes and serve it up hot.

Shirley Helzberg
Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation

Shirley Helzberg // Counselor
Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation

Chuck Hoffman
Hoffman Management Corp.

Chuck Hoffman // Mentor
Hoffman Management Corp., President
Year joined HEMP: 1995
Hoffman Management Corp. manages investments in oil and gas production, as well as real estate.
-
Charles Joseph // Fellow
All Care Sweeping, LLC, OwnerMentee Class Year: 2013Matched 2013 - 2016We are a commercial property maintenance company with an emphasis in providing parking lot sweeping and day porter services to large retail properties in the Kansas City metropolitan area. -
Jay Tomlinson // Fellow
Helix Architecture + Design, PrincipalMentee Class Year: 2001Matched 2001 - 2004Architecture and Interior Design Firm -
Mark Spears // Fellow
3 Square Contracting, Inc., PresidentMentee Class Year: 2010Matched 2010 - 2013General Contracting, Construction/Project Management

Lirel Holt
U, Inc.

Lirel Holt // Mentor
U, Inc., CEO
Year joined HEMP: 1995
U, Inc. is a company that invents, builds and markets online products. Products include: online training, human resources search and background checks in various industries.
-
Timothy McCarthy // Mentor
RMD, LLC dba HushMat & ZyCoat, LLC , Managing MemberMentee Class Year: 2010Matched 2010 - 2013Owner of the "Easiest to Install" HushMat of sound deadening and thermal insulation materials designed to make automobiles, trucks, boats RV's & buses, quiet & comfortable. HushMat reduces Noise and Heat! Also owner of ZyCoat, LLC thermal barrier coatings for high temperature automotive headers, manifolds and exhaust systems. -
Faruk Capan // Fellow
Intouch Solutions, CEOMentee Class Year: 2001Matched 2001 - 2004Intouch Solutions is an advertising firm specializing in leveraging digital technologies for Pharma marketing. Our motto is: "Delivering Innovative Health Care Marketing With Guts!" -
Mike Zimmerman // Fellow
The Insurance Partners, Managing PrincipalMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019

Jim Huntington

Jim Huntington // Mentor
Year joined HEMP: 2012
-
Matt Syverson // Fellow
Sound Stewardship, LLC , Financial AdvisorMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017We provide financial planning and wealth management services, as well as education and accountability to help you live out your values, reach your goals, and make an impact in the world around you. -
Brian Smith // Fellow
Wagner Logistics, President and Chief Executive OfficerMentee Class Year: 2012Matched 2012 - 2015Wagner is a leading 3PL service provider offering distribution center, fulfillment, contract packaging and transportation services to Fortune 500 and small/midsized companies across a network of facilities in the United States. Wagner uses world-class technology to provide visibility and execution, delivering clients unsurpassed service from a team of highly skilled associates. Specialties Transportation, Fulfillment, Distribution Warehousing, Contract Packaging -
Joelsette Hernandez // Mentee
Pharos Partners Inc.Mentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020

Angela Hurt
Veracity Consulting, Inc.

Angela Hurt // Mentor
Veracity Consulting, Inc.
Year joined HEMP: 2017
Veracity Consulting, Inc. is a Native American and Women owned provider of information technology consulting services. As a diverse organization, Veracity Consulting, Inc. is a leading provider of information technology consulting services. Our primary objective is understanding and executing for our clients.

Danielle Debbrecht // Fellow
CORE Strategies Physical Therapy, P.A.
Mentee Class Year: 2017
Matched 2017 - 2020
CORE Strategies Physical Therapy is committed to improving the movement health of our clients, through all phases of life. We empower clients through education about how to best challenge their body, understand their injury and/or risk for injury, and use active strategies to manage their movement health. The CORE team uses their expertise in movement assessment to not only help people rehabilitate injuries but also to prevent injuries with risk assessment screening, sports performance, and medical fitness programs.

Tom Isenberg
retired from Western Extralite Company

Tom Isenberg // Mentor
retired from Western Extralite Company, retired President
Year joined HEMP: 2020
Western Extralite was a regional distributor of electrical products, selling to electrical subcontractors, MROs and OEMs. The business was sold to Border States Industries in 2014. At the time of the sale, we had approximately 250 employees and 19 locations in Missouri and Kansas.

Mary Lou Jacoby
warehouse1

Mary Lou Jacoby // Mentor
warehouse1, Owner
Mentee Class Year: 2000
Warehouse1 solves the material handling requirements of clients in Kansas City, across the US, and around the world. Utilizing our technical knowledge and expertise, we maximize the use and minimize the cost of vertical space and square footage in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing and government facilities. We buy, recondition and install material handling products including 25 acres of in-stock pallet racking, shelving, conveyor, cantilever rack, pallet jacks, mezzanines, dock equipment, lockers, storage and flammable cabinets, bins and totes, and wrapping and packaging equipment.
-
Jacquie Morgan // Fellow
Intouch B2D, SVP, Governance & Enterprise Change Management at Intouch B2DMentee Class Year: 2010Matched 2010 - 2013Dynamic operations, sales & marketing executive with a career combining executive management success and proven expertise delivering high-growth, profit oriented outcomes. An ethical and tenacious business professional with the grit, passion, creative and strategic vision to build an organization’s business operations, infrastructure and processes in a manner that positions the firm for long-range revenue and profit growth. Strong analytical, negotiation and interpersonal skills with the ability to relate and communicate easily with individuals at all levels including internal constituents, shareholders, partners and clients. Hands-on leadership style combining strategy and advisory skills with a “do what it takes to get the job done” attitude providing the foundation for the ultimate success of the organization and the team. -
Janene Ervin // Fellow
KDC Construction, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2007Matched 2007 - 2010KDC is a general contractor and construction management company with local and national building capabilities. KDC builds all types of commercial, industrial, retail, transportation and warehousing facilities. -
LeAnn Carlson // Fellow
Lauren's Hope Medical ID Bracelets, Owner / CEOMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2016Lauren's Hope was founded in 2001 and originated the concept of fashionable medical ID jewelry. We produce products for women, men and children and focus on innovating new designs that are relevant to the needs of our customers. Most recently, we've begun offering styles that combine the technology of an online health profile with a simple band. Our goal is to let those with chronic medical conditions who need to wear an alert know that we provide styles that combine safety with style. -
James Davis // Fellow
Davis Safety Supply, Inc., CEOMentee Class Year: 2010Matched 2010 - 2013Davis Safety Supply provides a wide range of safety, janitorial and paper supplies for businesses, schools and organizations. -
Babir Sultan // Mentee
FavTrip, CEOMentee Class Year: 2018Matched 2018 - Present

Laura Lee Jones
LionShare, Inc.

Laura Lee Jones // Mentor
LionShare, Inc.
Mentee Class Year: 2006
Founded in 1995, LionShare serves primarily the healthcare industry nationwide. Our expertise includes strategic consulting, research and creative, direct-mail services, execution and fulfillment. Our solutions, such as service-line campaigns, new mover/new parent programs, physician marketing, dynamic email deployment and social media monitoring, are rooted in DIATA™, our business intelligence tool (which includes CRM/PRM and propensity/modeling). Utilizing DIATA™, we listen to data and link analytics to marketing executions.
-
Jessica Underwood // Fellow
Chief of Staff, President/OwnerMentee Class Year: 2015Matched 2015 - 2018Chief of Staff is a local, woman owned recruitment firm who offers temporary, temp to hire, and permanent placement services in the Kansas City metro area. We facilitate candidate introductions for top performers in office support roles including marketing, accounting, finance, HR, legal, and other administrative functions. Our team meets with hiring managers and candidates in person before any placement, to ensure all qualifications are met and the right culture fit is achieved. We pride ourselves on knowing our customers business and helping them source, screen and recruit for their most important asset, their people. We enjoy serving Kansas City's top employers as their trusted Chief of Staff. -
Karah Jones // Mentee
Angel Competition Bikinis, CEOMentee Class Year: 2019Matched 2019 - PresentAngel Competition Bikinis creates competition suits to make women feel confident on stage.

Kay Julian
Kay Julian Executive Coaching

Kay Julian // Mentor
Kay Julian Executive Coaching, President
Mentee Class Year: 2004
Matched 2004 - 2007
By helping clients explore possibilities, gain clarity and align their values, they are able to make changes that untether them from their current state and get them to the future state they desire. As a natural coach invested in their personal growth and development, I’ve been a trusted advisor and go-to resource for many. I’ve formalized this approach by becoming certified as an Executive Coach by UC Berkeley’s Executive Coaching Institute and credentialed by the International Coach Federation. In this process, I’ve coached non-profit leaders, for profit executives, entrepreneurs, those just starting out and those in transition and helped them to make the changes necessary to achieve their goals.

Scott King
Kendal King Group

Scott King // Mentor
Kendal King Group, co-CEO/CFO
Mentee Class Year: 2007
Matched 2007 - 2010
Kendal King Group is all about creating world class, in-store experiences that lift sales. We work with elite retailers and brands to create incremental sales opportunity in-store. Our passion is providing retail marketing solutions that keep customers spending and retail buyers happy. Our newest division is Soapbox Influencer Marketing where we build brands through authentic social conversations.

Robyn Schmitz // Fellow
High Prairie Landscape Group
Mentee Class Year: 2017
Matched 2017 - 2020
High Prairie Landscape Group offers full-service landscape design, construction and maintenance in the Kansas City market. We focus on customization, innovation, and high-level communication for a top quality end result.

Jim Kroman
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

Jim Kroman // Mentor
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Executive Director, Business Development/Licensing and Project Management
Year joined HEMP: 2019
BIVI develops, manufactures, and markets drugs and vaccines for animals. The US headquarters was located in St. Joseph, MO until 2017 at the time that I retired. The global annual sales of BI Animal Health exceeded EUR 4.0 Billion in 2018.

Todd Reynolds // Mentee
Reynolds Automotive, Owner
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
Reynolds Automotive is a medium sized independent pre-owned car dealership in Merriam, Kansas. We specialize in Japanese brand SUVs, vans, and sedans. We opened in May of 2014 and have been at our bigger present location since September of 2018.

Rick Krska
InkCycle, Inc.

Rick Krska // Counselor
InkCycle, Inc.
Mentee Class Year: 1997
Matched 1996 - 1999
InkCycle is an industry leader in toner and inkjet print cartridge technology. InkCycle provides products to office and computer products resellers, office products superstores, other national chain stores and printer service companies. InkCycle produces and distributes its line of aftermarket toner and inkjet cartridges throughout North America from Lenexa, Kansas. Our two Kansas City metro area locations employ 500 team members and include 90,000 square feet of inkjet manufacturing and administrative offices, 30,000 square feet of toner remanufacturing and service/refurbish work, and 120,000 square feet of warehouse, distribution and empty cartridge processing.

Deuce Livers
Livers Bronze Company

Deuce Livers // Mentor
Livers Bronze Company, President
Mentee Class Year: 2003
Architectural Metal, wood and Glass fabrication. Core products are handrail systems, glass interior wall systems.

David Lockton
Lockton Companies

David Lockton // Mentor
Lockton Companies, Chairman
Year joined HEMP: 2014
More than 5,300 professionals at Lockton provide 41,000 clients around the world with risk management, insurance, and employee benefits consulting services that improve their businesses. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has attracted entrepreneurial professionals who have driven its growth to become the largest privately held, independent insurance broker in the world and 10th largest overall.

Tracy Lockton
Consulting/Philanthropy

Tracy Lockton // Mentor
Consulting/Philanthropy
Year joined HEMP: 2013
After selling my most recent company I am now focused on my role as a HEMP mentor and in philanthropic support of the KC community, women's personal and professional health, education, and children. In addition I occasionally accept consulting projects.
-
Darrin Clawson // Fellow
Mentee Class Year: 2013Matched 2013 - 2016 -
Jeff Blackwood // Fellow
New Frontier Mobile Diagnostics, CEO and PresidentMentee Class Year: 2019Matched 2016 - 2019NFMD supports rural, elderly, and disability communities by providing diagnostic services where they need it, close to home. Our technicians use mobile medical technology to securely share images from the point of care with the patient's doctor, providing the doctor with necessary information to develop a treatment plan without adding the cost and risk of transporting the patient a long distance. This company was founded in November 2019!

Tim Lopatofsky
LKLL&L, Inc.

Tim Lopatofsky // Mentor
LKLL&L, Inc.
Mentee Class Year: 2010
LKLL&L is involved with commercial real estate.
Prior Company EZTax, specialized in development and licensing of software products that automated sales, use and numerous other transaction tax calculations, filings and situs determinations. I sold this company to Avalara in June of 2015.

Brent Voepel // Fellow
Voepel Property Management / Canopy Road Real Estate, Broker & Owner
Mentee Class Year: 2017
Matched 2017 - 2020

William Love
Biostar Renewables

William Love // Mentor
Biostar Renewables, Managing Partner
Year joined HEMP: 2001
Renewable Energy / Venture Capital
-
Ron Hill // Fellow
R Insights, LLC, Chief Enrichment OfficerMentee Class Year: 2008Matched 2008 - 2011Heart-based conscious leader. Empowering enriched lives of meaning & purpose. Conscious Business Catalyst. I believe in the power of people, planet & profit. I believe in the understanding that if we are not the problem then there is no solution. If we focus on solving our own problems then collectively we can thrive. For 24+ years, I have been fortunate enough to be a founder, entrepreneur, and student of life - working with the finest group of human beings I could ever imagine. Together we got messy, had fun, made mistakes, & disrupted an industry through innovation, teamwork, caring & helping our stakeholders thrive. We grew as leaders and human beings. #Grateful Reflecting on my experience as the founder and Chief Enrichment Officer of Redemption Plus, I discovered my purpose and inspired others to find theirs. The bottom line is helping others lead enriched lives of meaning & purpose was baked into the DNA from the start. It also became crystal clear that business can elevate humanity while being profitable. You can do both, you must do both, and you should never compromise on navigating the polarity of each. This is the future of business. My true Redemption Story began as I learned to heal myself through my oldest son’s journey of addiction & recovery. When you heal yourself, you also heal your family and your company - it is all entwined. These lifelong gifts I intend to share with the world by: - practicing, coaching, and nurturing conscious business practices which begins with conscious leadership; - leaning into the power of plant-based foods to help heal disease & our planet; and - advocating for the power of the heart (aka love) being baked into business, community, and connection to others. We each have the power to heal, create, and thrive in a way that allows space for our world to be more just, fair, and inclusive. -
Missy Love // Fellow
Alaskan Fur Company, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2002Matched 2002 - 2005Alaskan Fur is an 87-year-old retail store. We specialize in furs, leathers and shearlings. We also sell accessories such as fur bags, scarves and gloves for both men and women. Alaskan Fur is a full-service salon offering fur cleaning and storage, as well as fur restyling. -
Micah LaCerte // Fellow
Hitch Fit LLC, Co Founder/OwnerMentee Class Year: 2012Matched 2012 - 2015Hitch Fit is a lifestyle transformation company. Hitch Fit goes beyond traditional personal training and focuses on aiding clients in changing their mind, their body and ultimately their lives enabling them to fulfill their true potential. Hitch Fit provides 12 & 16 week transformation programs both one on one at our 2 studio gyms as well as Online Personal Training Programs available worldwide. Hitch Fit transformation programs include all aspects of healthy living including proper training and nutrition. Since 2009 Hitch Fit has helped clients in 71 countires lose over 300,000 lbs Hitch Fit motto is Believe ? Transform ? Inspire. We believe that change has to first happen in the mind, and a client has to believe in their ability to succeed and accept the power and responsibility of their choices prior to beginning the transformation process. We teach them to set goals, eliminate negatives from their lives to the best of their ability, and make positive choices on a daily basis to get where they want to be. We emphasize a lifestyle change over a "diet", we teach our clients balanced ways of eating healthy whole foods in a way that they can sustain for life. We do not believe in fad diets or quick fixes, we teach our clients hard work and commitment are the way to success. -
Jeff Kreutz // Fellow
KH Properties, LLC, OwnerMentee Class Year: 2015Matched 2015 - 2018Multi Family Apartment Complex renovation and management.

Bary Marquardt
Stouse Inc

Bary Marquardt // Mentor
Stouse Inc, Was President and owner. Retired
Year joined HEMP: 2016
I owned Stouse Inc for 38 years and recently sold it in November of 2015.
Stouse was a specialty printer specializing in screen printing, flexography, foil stamping, embossing, digital printing.
Stouse in 2015 had approximately 330 employees located in Gardner Kansas . The facility consisted of 20,000 office space with 160,000 manufacturing space.
Stouse sold through resellers located nationally with approximately 16,000 active distributors.
Stouse products sold through a 130 page cataloglue.
The primary product were decals and posters, banners.

Ryan Sciara // Mentee
Underdog Wine Co., Owner
Mentee Class Year: 2016
Matched 2016 - 2019

Timothy McCarthy
RMD, LLC dba HushMat & ZyCoat, LLC

Timothy McCarthy // Mentor
RMD, LLC dba HushMat & ZyCoat, LLC , Managing Member
Mentee Class Year: 2010
Matched 2010 - 2013
Owner of the "Easiest to Install" HushMat of sound deadening and thermal insulation materials designed to make automobiles, trucks, boats RV's & buses, quiet & comfortable. HushMat reduces Noise and Heat!
Also owner of ZyCoat, LLC thermal barrier coatings for high temperature automotive headers, manifolds and exhaust systems.
-
Sean Simms // Fellow
SKS Studio, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2015Matched 2015 - 2018We are a boutique planning and landscape architecture firm specializing in international hospitality and destination projects. Since our founding in 2008, we have worked in more than 40 countries. Our project size and scope range from small boutique resort hotels, to theme parks, to large-scale mixed-use masterplanning projects encompassing thousands of acres. -
Charlie Arnot // Fellow
Look EastMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020Charlie Arnot, CEO and president of Look East, is recognized as a thought-leader in food and agriculture. Look East is an employee-owned public relations and communications firm. Charlie is highly regarded as both a writer and sought-after speaker who engages audiences across the globe. He also serves as CEO of the Center for Food Integrity, an international non-profit organization dedicated to building consumer trust and confidence in today’s food system.

Dan McDougal
Dredge America, Inc.

Dan McDougal // Mentor
Dredge America, Inc.
Mentee Class Year: 2000
Dredge America performs professional hydraulic dredging services throughout the entire U.S. We specialize in portable hydraulic dredging, meaning we can go anywhere. We have been learning and improving our craft for over twenty years.
-
Will Buchanan // Fellow
TreadwellMentee Class Year: 2015Matched 2015 - 2018We specialize in the installation of durable flooring - resinous coatings and polished concrete, or, as we like to call them, no-nonsense floors that last. -
Ryan Toelkes // Fellow
Neighborhood Painting & Restoration Inc., PresidentMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020Neighborhood Painting is a full service painting and restoration company. We have been servicing the Kansas City area since 2002. Services we offer include interior, exterior painting, carpentry, wood rot repairs, drywall, decks, stucco for both residential and commercial clients.

Renee McDougal
Dredge America and Fresh Air Farm

Renee McDougal // Mentor
Dredge America and Fresh Air Farm, Executive Director
Year joined HEMP: 2010

Colleen Ellis, CPC // Fellow
J.M. Neil & Associates, Inc., President/CEO
Mentee Class Year: 2010
Matched 2010 - 2013
J.M. Neil (JMN) is a certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) personnel consulting and staffing solutions provider. JMN has been known for excellent responsiveness and effective solutions for our federal and commercial clients nationwide. As a human capital firm, we assist our clients with personnel placement services on contract, contract-to-hire, direct hire and temporary projects. JMN employs contract associates for the most technically advanced and progressive thinking companies in today's global business economy.

Matthew Mellor
Strenuus

Matthew Mellor // Mentor
Strenuus, Retired Founder / CEO
Year joined HEMP: 2019
Strenuus helps insurance companies design smarter physician networks. Network360, its flagship SaaS application, was used by every national insurer, and well over half of the BCBS plans nationwide. Strenuus also developed physician search and recommendation tools used by private health exchanges. One out of ten health plan enrollments in the US use these tools.

Dave Guezuraga // Mentee
MASS Medical Storage
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
MASS Medical is an American manufacturer of high-quality medical storage products that can be found in leading medical facilities all over the world. Our products can be found in GI Labs, Operating Rooms, Hybrid ORs, Cath, Emergency, Ortho, and all patient procedure areas.
The design focus of every product and solution is on nosocomial Infections, protection of valuable medical equipment, and clinician safety.
We are a Three-time winner of the Kansas Minority Business Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year (2013, 2014, 2018), Premier Horizons Award winner 2017, Premier Diversity Award 2017 (Honorable Mention), and MedAssets Platinum Supplier Award 2014.

John Miller
Retired

John Miller // Mentor
Retired
Year joined HEMP: 2011
-
Joseph Beveridge // Fellow
Russell Hampton Co., Director of Business DevelopmentMentee Class Year: 2012Matched 2012 - 2015The Russell-Hampton Co. delivers the convenience of a true one-stop-shop for all of a business's branding and promotional product marketing solutions. We enable businesses to control their brand, while simultaneously controlling their promotional marketing costs, along with the ordering, planning and marketing and delivery process. Russell-Hampton is the world's largest provider of awards, personalized gifts, club supplies and more to Rotary International and to Rotary clubs globally. -
Haley Haar // Fellow
AlphaGraphics Kansas CityMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020AlphaGraphics Kansas City delivers high-quality printing and marketing products. In 2009, Haley and her husband, Matt, purchased AlphaGraphics located in Downtown KC. They offer a focus on driving sales through relationship development.

Debbie Murphy
Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation

Debbie Murphy // Mentor
Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation

Ted Murray
Colliers International Kansas City

Ted Murray // Mentor
Colliers International Kansas City, CEO
Year joined HEMP: 2001
Commerical Real Estate Brokerage
Commercial Real Estate Acquisition and Development
-
Mark Simmons // Fellow
The RED Force Fire & Security, Owner, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2011Matched 2011 - 2014The RED Force? is a locally-owned, fully insured, integrity driven fire suppression provider. While The RED Force? is located in Independence, Missouri we provide service to our customers in the 100 mile radius of Kansas City. Safety is our business and The RED Force? maintains and promotes a culture of safety through national fire code training, testing and compliance. The RED Force? has had a long-term fire protection impact in the Kansas City area, having acquired several companies with a service history going back over 30 years. The RED Force? is a solution provider of fire suppression equipment and systems, security and fire alarm systems, sprinklers, first aid, fire extinguishers, live fire extinguisher training, fire safety lectures, exit and emergency lights, and many fire safety products. Available 24/7 we provide quick and dependable service. In an effort to sustain code compliance that satisfies insurance companies in the event of a claim, The RED Force utilizes only certified technicians in the field and adheres to the national fire and life safety codes. -
Andy Homoly // Fellow
Homoly Construction, Inc., PresidentMentee Class Year: 2006Matched 2006 - 2009Homoly Construction has been serving the Kansas City area since 1997. We are a family-owned builder that embraces innovative technologies, time-honored methods and exquisite detailing to build your dreams. We specialize in green, sustainable, high-performance buildings. -
Stephen Rupp // Fellow
SRKO Commercial Builders LLC, PrincipalMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017SRKO LLC is a commercial general contracting company that specializes in high end tenant tenant finishes and small out of the ground project developments. -
Chase DeRousse // Mentee
Major Painting, Vice President of SalesMentee Class Year: 2018Matched 2018 - PresentMajor Painting is a commercial painting contractor that specializes in interior and exterior repaints for local building owners, property and facility managers. While Major Paintings specializes in repaints, they also offer carpentry, caulking and waterproofing, and tenant finish services.

Ed Nelson
K.C. Hopps

Ed Nelson // Counselor
K.C. Hopps, CEO
Mentee Class Year: 1999
Restaurant Management Company

Mike Pasley // Fellow
Central Packaging, President
Mentee Class Year: 2005
Matched 2005 - 2008
Wholesale Sales and Distribution - Packaging Materials, Equipment and Service

Mike O'Malley
O'Keeffe & O'Malley

Mike O'Malley // Mentor
O'Keeffe & O'Malley, President
Year joined HEMP: 2001
Since 1984, as one of Kansas City's preeminent Merger & Acquisition (M&A) firms we've helped business owners sell their businesses, value businesses, develop exit plans, enhance the businesses value, acquire businesses, negotiate transactions and we've provided numerous advisory services related to helping people grow their business to maximize value.
-
David Cacioppo // Fellow
emfluence, llc, Managing PartnerMentee Class Year: 2001Matched 2001 - 2004emfluence is a full-service interactive marketing firm and digital marketing platform provider offering a range of services to local, regional and national clients across every industry segment. Core services include, digital strategy, website design and development, search engine optimization, email marketing, social media campaign, management, pay-per-click marketing, banner campaign management, online promotions design and brand protection. -
Kevin Grabill // Fellow
Grabill Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, President/OwnerMentee Class Year: 2010Matched 2010 - 2013Grabill Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is a full-service mechanical contracting company serving the Greater Kansas City and outlying areas. We provide a wide range of products, services and solutions to homeowners, businesses and general contractors. Our technicians construct all types of piping systems in building and remodel projects including highly customized and design-build applications. We offer alternative energy solutions and hydronic heating systems such as radiant floor and snow melt. Our company works with designers and architects on specialty products and applications in order to serve the most discriminating clientele. Grabill Plumbing has conducted business in KC since 1986 and we pride ourselves in ongoing relationships in the community. We put the best interest of our customer first and that is motivated by a passion to serve others. -
Kevin Wilkerson // Fellow
Jones Lang LaSalle, Managing Regional DirectorMentee Class Year: 2009Matched 2009 - 2012 -
Lance McCarthy // Fellow
Retouch, DirectorMentee Class Year: 2012Matched 2014 - 2015Design Build General Contractor in residential and light commercial. ReTouch works to help our clients improve their living and working spaces. We are client-based more than project-based, meaning we are more concerned with building strong, lasting relationships with our community of clients than we are with "selling a job". We strive to be the main resource for our clients' home and business building and remodeling needs. This leads us to do anything from replacing a light fixture to building a new office building. Specialties Light commercial and residential remodeling, Design and build general contractor, Home renovations, Room Additions, Basements, Kitchens, Baths -
Kyle Batts // Fellow
Batts Communications Services, Inc., CEOMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019Batts Communications Services is a business technology partner that helps companies leverage technology to excel in business. Our offerings include: Business Telephone Systems Cloud Telephone Solutions Network & Fiber Cabling Internet & Phone Service Consulting. -
Justin Copeland // Fellow
Triggerfish CorporationMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020Triggerfish is a Information Technology (IT) Integration practice focused in the healthcare industry. We provide IT staffing, project management, telecommunications services, voice/data cabling, security solutions and audio/visual solutions.

Danny O'Neill
The Roasterie, Inc.

Danny O'Neill // Mentor
The Roasterie, Inc., Bean Barron
Mentee Class Year: 1997
Coffee Roaster
-
Ethan Whitehill // Fellow
Two West, Inc., CEOMentee Class Year: 2003Matched 2003 - 2006Two West, Inc. is a retail communications firm specializing in deep retail engagement. Two West helps manufacturer and retail brands increase share of voice, share of preference and share of distribution using an approach that blends shopper insights, brand strategy and retail marketing to produce significant, surprising and spectacular results. -
Gene Abramov // Mentee
Depth Security, CEOMentee Class Year: 2018Matched 2018 - PresentWe specialize in helping companies enhance their security posture through the delivery of high-caliber assessment services and copiously vetted defensive solutions.

Michael Pandzik
NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION COOPERATIVE

Michael Pandzik // Mentor
NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION COOPERATIVE, Founding President and CEO (now Retired)
Year joined HEMP: 2013
Founded in 1984, the NCTC combines the purchasing power of thousands of smaller cable TV systems to purchase, at volume-discounted prices in master contracts, cable programming networks such as HBO, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC and hundreds more. This allows smaller cable companies to compete with Comcast, Charter and Spectrum at the retail level. Were the Co-Op a single company, it would be the fourth-largest multiple-system operator in the USA. NCTC member companies operate cable systems in all 50 states, plus such far-flung US territories as American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Bruce Pendleton, Sr.
Kansas City Valve & Fitting Co.

Bruce Pendleton, Sr. // Mentor
Kansas City Valve & Fitting Co., President
Year joined HEMP: 2014
Industrial Distribution

Chris Hinkebein // Fellow
Pro- Con
Mentee Class Year: 2014
Matched 2014 - 2017
Pro-Con is a contract parts manufacturer located in the Lee's Summit. They are an ISO certified shop with extensive capabilities for lathe and mill work. They are also experienced in light fabrication, welding and assembly.

David Perky
TPP Certified Public Accountants

David Perky // Mentor
TPP Certified Public Accountants, Partner
Year joined HEMP: 2010
Helping business owners succeed by providing valuable professional and financial advice. Services include financial accounting assistance tax advice and compliance, and retirement plan administration services.
-
Brett Wacha // Fellow
Clickfarm, PrincipalMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017 -
Quentin McArthur // Fellow
McQueeny Group, Inc., PresidentMentee Class Year: 2011Matched 2011 - 2014McQueeny Group, Inc. is a manufacturer's representative for heating ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment serving northwest Arkansas, western Missouri and the state of Kansas. By combining outstanding products, experienced and knowledgeable sales people and excellent customer service, McQueeny Group commits to be the preferred supplier in the territory.

William Polese

William Polese // Mentor
Advisor
Year joined HEMP: 2016
-
Nathan Roberts // Fellow
Avenue Link, Chief Executive OfficerMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019Avenue Link is a performance based online marketing company that specializes in targeted online and mobile lead generation as well as data monetization services. Avenue Link utilizes a variety of strategies including email and affiliate marketing, search engine pay per click advertising, and data management. We work only with trusted partners and publishers to bring quality traffic to our advertisers. Avenue Link strives to build our business through our people. Our group of talented marketers, designers and developers are able to develop ideas into successful ventures. We take pride in knowing each day our team enters the world of Avenue Link, that we will build, participate and grow our ever-expanding company. -
Justin Watkins // Mentee
Native Digital, Creative Strategist, FounderMentee Class Year: 2018Matched 2018 - PresentNative Digital is a marketing firm specializing in brand strategy, creative direction and integrated marketing.

Randall Powell
SPX Cooling Technologies

Randall Powell // Mentor
SPX Cooling Technologies, President - Process Cooling
Year joined HEMP: 2019
Design and build engineered solutions for heat rejection in power generation, petrochemical, and manufacturing operations, as well as large commercial construction projects.

Stephanie Sage // Mentee
Sage Restoration, President/CEO
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
Sage Restoration is a woman-owned and entrepreneurially led enterprise founded in 2010. My team and I are dedicated to helping home owners and commercial property owners who have experienced a very stressful situation such as a destructives fire, the damage from flood water, or with problem mold in the walls of their residence or building, No matter the job, Sage employees often walk into a family’s life or business owner’s workspace at one of the most stressful and shocking times they have had.

Don Proffer
Proffer Productions, Inc.

Don Proffer // Mentor
Proffer Productions, Inc., President
Mentee Class Year: 1999
Marketing/Corporate Communications/Electronic Media Production/Live Event Production

Bruce Reed

Bruce Reed // Mentor
Year joined HEMP: 2019

Andrew Sexton // Mentee
Todco Beverage, LLC, Vice President
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
We install, service and maintenance Coca-Cola fountain equipment, Ice machines and other small commercial appliances.

Margaret Reynolds
Breakthrough Masters Unlimited

Margaret Reynolds // Mentor
Breakthrough Masters Unlimited, Managing Principal
Year joined HEMP: 2003
Consulting services that help companies identify and develop market driven growth opportunities. Services include strategic planning, marketing, brand development and research.
-
Jim Weir // Fellow
CompAlliance Managed Care, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2009Matched 2009 - 2012 -
Bill Hartnett // Mentor
Shepherd Holmes Group, StoryBrand Certified GuideMentee Class Year: 2003Matched 2003 - 2006Many business owners feel their marketing dollars are wasted on random services. At Shepherd Holmes Group we help businesses create a clear plan that turns their marketing into sales so they can focus on serving customers profitably. We'd love to help you create a plan that puts your marketing investment to work for you and your business. Send me your website url and I'll send you a video of a FREE StoryBrand Website Review of your site. -
Mike Lammers // Fellow
Tricension, Chief Executive OfficerMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017Tricension delivers Information Technology Services - Advisory services, Software Develop and Deploy services, and Cloud Enablement services. Capabilities include: • Enterprise Architecture Planning, • Information Technology Assessment, • Full Custom Application development lifecycle, • Cloud Enablement. -
Grant Gooding // Fellow
Proof Positioning, Founder and CEOMentee Class Year: 2015Matched 2015 - 2018PROOF is market research company that evaluates and measures the emotions, motivations and preferences of customers. We use customer insights to understand the feelings of customers and provide mathematically sound insights on which messages to use for which customer segments using which mediums so companies can win more business. -
Courtney Thomas // Fellow
Newhouse, President & CEOMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020

Michelle Robin
Your Wellness Connection, PA

Michelle Robin // Mentor
Your Wellness Connection, PA, CWO
Mentee Class Year: 2003
Health & Wellness

Robin Royals
RC Royals & Associates, LLC

Robin Royals // Mentor
RC Royals & Associates, LLC, President
Year joined HEMP: 2016
RC Royals & Associates, LLC is a global consulting firm specializing in improving the operating performance of our customers. Our focus is financial services that encompass a broad range of companies that deal with the management of money.
Among these organizations are banks, credit card companies, consumer finance companies, stock brokerages, investment funds, and some government sponsored enterprises. The company is uniquely positioned to creatively transform your financial performance of mid-market companies.

Walt Rychlewski
Retired DotCom Entrepreneur

Walt Rychlewski // Mentor
Retired DotCom Entrepreneur, CEO and Board Chairman
Year joined HEMP: 1995
Technology Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Venture Capital, University Professor, Marketing, Sales, Automotive, Industrial Automation.
-
Skuli Gudmundsson // Fellow
OCCU-TEC, Inc., President/CEOMentee Class Year: 2005Matched 2005 - 2008OCCU-TEC is a multi-disciplined organization with client service and loyalty remaining the key to our success. Our focus is providing specialized business solutions to help clients effectively manage environmental, occupational health and safety (EH&S) risks, as well as complete fuel tank inspections and repair. -
Don Comley // Fellow
Comdaco Incorporated, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2008Matched 2008 - 2011Comdaco Incorporated is a manufacturer and assembler of a wide range of custom products. Our markets include Agriculture, Automotive, Food-Processing, Original Equipment Manufacturers and our Military. Our products include Molded Rubber Products, Die-Cut Products, and Custom Designed Tooling. -
Don Proffer // Mentor
Proffer Productions, Inc., PresidentMentee Class Year: 1999Matched 1999 - 2002Marketing/Corporate Communications/Electronic Media Production/Live Event Production -
Cisse Spragins // Fellow
Rockwell Labs Ltd, CEOMentee Class Year: 2011Matched 2011 - 2012Development, manufacture and marketing of pest control and biological cleaning products. -
Chrystine Sullivan // Fellow
Useagility, Founder & CEOMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017 -
Amber Goering // Fellow
Goering and Granatino, P.A.Mentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020CPA Firm - Public Accounting

Jack Schmid
J. Schmid & Assoc., Inc.

Jack Schmid // Mentor
J. Schmid & Assoc., Inc., Founder
Year joined HEMP: 2009
Catalog & Direct Marketing Agency
-
Ronda Zillner // Fellow
EverEvolve, Inc., Senior Consumer Marketing Strategist and ConsultantMentee Class Year: 2009Matched 2009 - 2012 -
Belinda Waggoner // Fellow
hr-haven, inc., PresidentMentee Class Year: 2013Matched 2013 - 2016hr-haven believes that by mixing a blend of HR, internal branding, and purpose-driven business decision-making, culture can be built for clients that ultimately provides them with their differentiator in the marketplace, no matter their industry. Entrepreneurs don't generally want to hear what they can't do, they want to know what they can, and this is where hr-haven focuses their efforts in helping their clients. -
Brandy McCombs // Fellow
International Builders & Consultants, Inc. (IBC), PresidentMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019Interior trim commercial carpentry construction along with traffic control services. -
Nancy McCullough // Mentee
e2E, LLC, Founder & CEOMentee Class Year: 2018Matched 2018 - PresentWe serve growing businesses in the Kansas City metropolitan area by providing business management strategies to assist at various life-stages along the path from entrepreneur to enterprise. We assist business owners and executives in addressing a myriad of concerns growth-oriented businesses face from funding & banking options, budgeting & planning, accounting, payroll & taxes, hiring & HR compliance, scoping IT solutions/service contracts to facilities planning matters. Effectively addressing these issues and concerns change as businesses grow and we develop strategies to address these in ways which best fit the life-stage of a particular business. Businesses well-positioned to benefit from our services include entrepreneurial start-ups to growth-oriented enterprises with up to 100 employees.

Paul Schofer
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Paul Schofer // Mentor
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Year joined HEMP: 2018

Robert Shapiro
Realty Consultants

Robert Shapiro // Mentor
Realty Consultants, Partner/Owner
Year joined HEMP: 1995
Commercial Real Estate
-
Elizabeth Amirahmadi // Fellow
International Architects Atelier, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2007Matched 2007 - 2010International Architects Atelier, founded in Kansas City in 1988, is a female-owned, minority-owned small business. The firm's creative touch can be seen in its award-winning design of religious and educational institutions, museums, theaters, commercial, retail and residential facilities, parking structure,; and park and recreation projects. IAA targets small and mid-sized projects that require very unique design solutions. -
Doug Stacye // Fellow
JB Solutions LLC, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2010Matched 2010 - 2013Gutter Cover installation. Home Improvement -
Jon Ellis // Fellow
Paradise Park, Founder, President and CEOMentee Class Year: 2014Matched 2014 - 2017Paradise Park is a unique family destination in Lee Summit that regionally attracts guests looking for wholesome, clean, friendly and fun spaces to share with their friends, coworkers and families.

Steve Shondell
Heathwood Oil Co., Inc.

Steve Shondell // Mentor
Heathwood Oil Co., Inc., PRESIDENT
Year joined HEMP: 2017
HEATHWOOD OIL CO., INC IS A LUBRICANTS WHOLESALER, OF OILS, GREASES, GEAR OILS, AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, ETC. WE SALE TO MOST ALL INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS CAR DEALERS, TRUCK LINES, CONSTRUCTION, GOVERNMENTS, ETC. WE ARE THE OLDEST AND LAST FAMILY OWNED OIL COMPANY IN KANSAS CITY, STARTED IN 1926.

Adam Burkiewicz // Mentee
House of Rocks, Inc.
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
Natural stone and landscape supply company offering everything natural stone. Products offered include several types of decorative gravel, boulders, cut wall stone, thin veneer, flagstone, top soil, mulch, bagged rock, stone edging, and custom orders.

Gary Short

Gary Short // Mentor
Mentee Class Year: 2005

Ryan Elder // Fellow
Facility Systems, Inc., Business Manager
Mentee Class Year: 2015
Matched 2015 - 2018
Facility Systems, Inc. provides facility management consulting and design services. Our capabilities include commercial interior design, space planning, facility management support, office furniture design/procurement and construction management.

Brett Simpson
Elevate Simply

Brett Simpson // Mentor
Elevate Simply, Managing Director

Jack Sladkey
Retired

Jack Sladkey // Mentor
Retired, President
Year joined HEMP: 1999
Consulting

Dan Stalp
Sandler Training

Dan Stalp // Mentor
Sandler Training
Mentee Class Year: 2013
-
Kevin Tubbesing // Fellow
The Land Source, PrincipalMentee Class Year: 2013Matched 2013 - 2016We hope you don't mind, but you'll never experience one of our brokers greet you at an open house with mints and cookies. We buy and sell land for commercial and development use - period. We hear the whispers. This makes us kind of? unique? in the wide world of real estate brokerage. Whereas most firms take any type of business they can get, we only do land. It's not that selling buildings and homes is a bad thing (right?), but as dirt simple as some might think the business of land realty is, in truth, it's an art. No where in real estate does the confluence of capital financing, architecture, engineering, governmental pleasantries, utility services, storm water runoff, tax incentives, and grandma's third-cousin-once-removed-co-trustee-still-on-the-deed, come into play more than in land realty. The Land Source has been there ? on both sides of the many fences - and our experience will benefit you. Whether you're buying, selling, or utilizing our growing site selection services, you will find that our ability to "move dirt" is second to none. The Land Source was formed in 2001 by Pat Daniels to assist land owners in maximizing the value of their land for sale and assisting land developers & investors in finding the right land for their needs to maximize the property's use and value. In 2010 Kevin Tubbesing acquired The Land Source and has led the company in triple digit growth in each consecutive year since. Our diverse and talented team members cover all needs within land realty. With over a century of experience, their combination of skills has enabled our clients and investors to profit from the application of cumulative judgment including the negotiation skills to get grandma's third-cousin to sign the deed! Whether you are selling, buying or just on a search, let The Land Source maximize your investment. Contact us today. -
Alec Haight // Fellow
Pioneer Music Company, Inc., Vice PresidentMentee Class Year: 2017Matched 2017 - 2020This family owned and operated business has been fulfilling the needs of its customers since 1869. As a wholesale business-to-business provider of high quality consumer electronic products, we provide products and solutions to many different industries. These products range from residential audio and video, to automation, network distribution, surveillance, installation accessories and more. Always open to change, but never forgetting our roots, we are here to exceed our customers expectations and form great relationships in doing so.

John Starr
UltraSource, LLC

John Starr // Mentor
UltraSource, LLC, Chairman
Mentee Class Year: 2014

Paul Dorrell // Fellow
Leopold Gallery + Art Consulting, LLC, President
Mentee Class Year: 2014
Matched 2014 - 2017
Leopold Gallery + Art Consulting is a nationally-ranked gallery and professional consulting and design firm. The art we've installed for clients such as H&R Block, University of Kansas Hospital, and the Kansas City Chiefs reflects our unique approach to each space. With corporations, our emphasis is always on inspiring staff and bearing a positive impact on productivity, as well as innovative thinking. We also work with scores of private collectors, bearing a stunning impact on their homes.

Charles Tantillo
The Taben Group

Charles Tantillo // Mentor
The Taben Group
Founded in 1990, Taben is a National provider of Employee Benefit Administrative services. We offer COBRA, Direct Billing and Flexible Benefits Administration to larger employers around the country. www.taben.com

Evan Kirsch // Mentee
MAKE Digital Group, CEO
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present
MAKE Digital Group is a Kansas City based full-service digital marketing agency established in 2008 to partner with businesses to craft conversion-focused marketing solutions that drive bottom line growth. As a passionate team of award-winning marketers, designers and developers we deliver the following services: Web Development & Design, Digital Advertising, SEO, Email Marketing & Photo + Video.

Darren Traub
Point3 Farma

Darren Traub // Mentor
Point3 Farma
Year joined HEMP: 2017
Hemp and Cannabis - Point3 Farma is a vertically integrated supplier of cannabinoids in the form of distillate and isolate, supporting producers of cannabinoid based products in a wide variety of end markets.

Matthew Moore // Fellow
Martin City Brewery, CEO
Mentee Class Year: 2017
Matched 2017 - 2020
Restaurants concepts and brewery with event space.

Kurt Van Keppel
XIKAR, Inc.

Kurt Van Keppel // Mentor
XIKAR, Inc., Co-Founder, former President & CEO
Year joined HEMP: 2019
My business partner Scott Almsberger and I built a company which became the world's leading cigar accessory brand. We launched dozens of "cool" innovations annually, all incorporating great Function, great Form, great Feel at a Fair price. We then supported our customers and consumers with a lifetime unconditional guarantee. We sold that business in January 2018

John Vandewalle
Lumen Touch

John Vandewalle // Mentor
Lumen Touch, Chief Executive and Education Officer
Year joined HEMP: 2003
K-12 full enterprise technology for managing schools and school districts. This all-in-one solution Bright SUITE is made up of modules to manage student information (Bright STUDENT), special education (Bright SPED), curriculum (Bright LEARNING), library (Bright SOURCE), career and college, early learning and district wide communication modules.
-
Stuart Jackson // Fellow
AnalyzeDirect, Inc., President and CEOMentee Class Year: 2007Matched 2007 - 2010AnalyzeDirect provides visualization and analysis tools for physicians and scientists who use MRI, CT and Nuclear Medicine scans in their research. We help our users to extract key information from their medical imagining datasets and achieve their research goals, enabling more treatments to be developed, more cures to be discovered and more lives to be saved. -
Gina Stuelke // Fellow
Kenton Brothers Inc. Systems for Security, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2005Matched 2005 - 2008Kenton Brothers is the area's industry leader in high quality locking systems and professional service meeting the security needs of all commercial businesses. Established in 1897, we are expert in all aspects of commercial locking systems, both electronic and mechanical, for businesses that need to protect their people, property and possessions. -
David Windhausen // Fellow
Intouch Solutions, Executive Vice President, PartnerMentee Class Year: 2009Matched 2009 - 2012We are a full service marketing agency, specializing in clients within the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry. Our headquarters are in Overland Park, Kansas, and we also have offices in Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York. -
Jeremy Greenamyre // Fellow
Greenamyre Rentals, Inc., Vice PresidentMentee Class Year: 2012Matched 2012 - 2015Greenamyre Rentals is a family-owned property management and maintenance company serving the Leavenworth and Lansing, Kansas markets. Their focus is on single-family and multi-family residential properties an office and rental buildings. -
Jim Sheridan // Fellow
Sheridan's Unforked, OwnerMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019

Daniel Walker
Retired

Daniel Walker // Mentor
Retired
Year joined HEMP: 2018
-
Richard Hu // Mentee
HJM Architects, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2018Matched 2018 - PresentHJM Architects, an MBE certified enterprise, has focused on providing insight and leadership in planning and architectural design services since its inception in 1984. Our mission is to create spaces with meaning, to design structures that are affordable, and create efficient plans that are flexible. -
L. Allan Arias // Mentee
Compass Roofing LLC, President of OperationsMentee Class Year: 2019Matched 2019 - PresentWe are a Commercial Roofing company. A member of the Roofers Local 20 Union, Certified MBE/DBE/SLBE with the City of Kansas City, MO and the State of Missouri. I also own a dumpster company, Compass Waste Services, specializing in commercial haul off and disposal. This company is also Certified MBE/DBE/SLBE with the City of Kansas City, MO

Melody Warren
Transportation Logistics Systems, Inc.

Melody Warren // Mentor
Transportation Logistics Systems, Inc., President & CEO
Mentee Class Year: 1996
Transportation Brokerage - 3rd Party Logistics
And asset based over the road carrier

Joe Runyan // Fellow
Hangers Cleaners
Mentee Class Year: 2006
Matched 2006 - 2009
Hangers Cleaners is the only retail dry cleaners in the states of Missouri and Kansas to use all-natural liquid CO2 to clean clothes. Hangers has several locations throughout the KC area and has a very popular free pickup and delivery service.

Michael Watts
Arch Insurance Group, Inc.

Michael Watts // Mentor
Arch Insurance Group, Inc., Vice President
Year joined HEMP: 2020
We provide a wide range of property, casualty and specialty insurance for corporations, professional firms and financial institutions across the United States and Canada.

Frank Weyforth
WH Management

Frank Weyforth // Mentor
WH Management

Carol Espinosa // Mentee
Freedom Interiors, Principal
Year joined HEMP: 2018
Matched 2018 - Present
At Freedom, our goal is to bring your vision to reality through workplace design: we orchestrate vision, design and execution to create tailored workspace solutions that are right for your needs. We take the time to understand your needs and design work environments with a focus on the user experience. We then maximize our technology resources to share our solutions through our immersive and collaborative Live Design process.

Lorie Whitaker
Bank of America

Lorie Whitaker // Mentor
Bank of America
Year joined HEMP: 2019
Corporate finance and banking

Karlo Meave // Mentee
Mentee Class Year: 2019
Matched 2019 - Present

Ralph Wrobley
Husch Blackwell LLP

Ralph Wrobley // Mentor
Husch Blackwell LLP, of counsel
Year joined HEMP: 2006
-
Mark McIntire // Fellow
McIntire Management Group, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2011Matched 2011 - 2014Manufacturer Rep in the Water and Wastewater business covering 11 states in the Midwest -
Carlos Antequera // Fellow
Novel Growth Partners, Co-Founder & Managing DirectorMentee Class Year: 2007Matched 2007 - 2010Novel Growth Partners is a revenue-based fund with a mission to improve access to capital to technology companies in underserved markets. Novel provides companies up to $500K in growth capital. Novel leverages the operational expertise of its founders and partners to provide tactical sales and marketing support to entrepreneurs via its proprietary growth boot camp. Novel invests in entrepreneurs focused on growing revenue and building a near term profitable company committed to business fundamentals. Unlike other growth capital, Novel does not take equity or require a personal guarantee. More information is available at www.NovelGrowthPartners.com -
Scott Murray // Fellow
LEVEL5 Tools, LLC, President/OwnerMentee Class Year: 2009Matched 2009 - 2012Manufacturers, markets and sells a full line of drywall finishing tools to professionals around the globe. www.level5tools.com -
Matthew Wood // Fellow
SCD Probiotics, Founder and ChairmanMentee Class Year: 2008Matched 2008 - 2011 -
Nilson Goez // Fellow
Infinite Energy Construction, Inc., President/CEOMentee Class Year: 2012Matched 2012 - 2015For more than 20 years, Infinite Energy Construction has strived to deliver the value, service and performance our customers demand and deserve. We specialize in general contracting, electrical contracting, contract management and supplying construction materials. -
Jeremy Antes // Fellow
Prism Real Estate Services, LLC, OwnerMentee Class Year: 2016Matched 2016 - 2019Prism Real Estate Services, LLC provides first class management, maintenance and accounting services for our growing investment portfolio, including multi-family, office, residential, retail and industrial assets. In addition, PRES affiliate services include investment services, construction services, and lawn and landscape services, providing for vertical integration and value add for our investors and clients.

Deborah Young
Organizational and Leadership Consulting

Deborah Young // Mentor
Organizational and Leadership Consulting, Principal
Year joined HEMP: 1997
Organizational Management Consulting
-
Deena James // Fellow
Cowell James Forge Insurance Group, LLC, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2011Matched 2011 - 2014CJF is the agency for the client who wants professionals to take the anxiety out of insurance coverage. The CJF team consists of exceptional, well-educated, energetic folks who are dedicated to providing superior service, new ideas and solutions for your insurance program. We are problem solvers dedicated to you, our favorite customer. We also offer risk management services. And, now, we have a great group health insurance program, exclusive to our agency, that offers options to the Affordable Care Act plans. -
Laura Lee Jones // Mentor
LionShare, Inc.Mentee Class Year: 2006Matched 2009 - 2009Founded in 1995, LionShare serves primarily the healthcare industry nationwide. Our expertise includes strategic consulting, research and creative, direct-mail services, execution and fulfillment. Our solutions, such as service-line campaigns, new mover/new parent programs, physician marketing, dynamic email deployment and social media monitoring, are rooted in DIATA™, our business intelligence tool (which includes CRM/PRM and propensity/modeling). Utilizing DIATA™, we listen to data and link analytics to marketing executions. -
Vicki Clayman // Fellow
Partners N Promotion Powered by Halo, PresidentMentee Class Year: 2015Matched 2015 - 2018Branded merchandise for employee recognition, B2B gifts and awards, a total online solutions for corporate programs with on-site warehousing.