Mike Kulp named to Ingram's 250 - Kansas City's most influential business leaders.

Meet the men and women whose leadership is defining business success in the greater Kansas City region.

In 50 years of covering the greater Kansas City business community and its executive leadership, through thousands of stories and hundreds of economic assemblies, Ingram’s knows that Kansas City area companies are blessed with incredible C-suite talent. 

They are deep thinkers, thought leaders, focused decision-makers who consistently drive organizations forward.

Once a year, we’re honored to be able to question them as a group with this special edition we call the Ingram’s 250.
This year, we harvested their assessments on how economic trends are affecting their respective sectors, their approach as leaders to hiring and firing, how artificial intelligence in its current form is affecting their operations, the traits they look for in potential hires at the executive level, and what they see as priorities for setting a civic agenda in the greater Kansas City region.

Their observations on factors that drove growth over the past year in particular will give astute viewers a sense of just how healthy the regional economy truly is. We also gleaned a few insights into their character by asking them how they deal with the stresses of business leadership, and where they find inspiration inside and outside of their organizations. 

Collectively, their responses make up a business-leadership primer for anyone who wants to understand regional commerce on a deeper level, and at times a more personal one. No individual that we know of could access this breadth of leadership and extract this level of insight and candor with a group this large. Consider our gift to all who read it.

To anyone who wants to understand what the Ingram’s mission is, you’ll find your answer in this unique issue. We hope this Who’s Who of Kansas City Business will help you understand the people shaping our regional economy, and that their thoughts will help you set an agenda for growth in your own organization or career.

As always, our thanks go out to each of the executives who participated. We couldn’t do this without you.

Bringing new quick-service restaurants into the fold has been at the heart of KBP’s success for twenty-five years, and it’s a recipe that keeps proving itself. “Acquisitions drive growth for KBP,” Michael told us. “This year, we had several with the addition of 41 KFCs as well as our recent expansion into a fourth brand—SONIC—with the purchase of 85 Sonic Drive-In locations.”
 

Sector Outlook:

“As inflation comes down, we’re optimistic about things heating back up.” 

Inspiration Source:

“The opportunities our growth creates for our teams personally, professionally, and financially. Creating life-changing opportunities for our employees is what pushes us every day.” 

Effects of AI:
“We’ve added digital menu boards and kiosks in restaurants across our network; AI is the next step. ... to personalize customer service and improve efficiency in our stores and drive-throughs.” 

Stress Busting:

“Watching my kids’ sports and activities—being a spectator of them doing what they love is the best way to decompress.”
Current Headcount: 
“Just over 450 in KC and approximately 21,000 companywide.”