It is truly an honor to step into the role of Chair for this amazing organization!

So many outstanding leaders have preceded me in this role, including our outgoing Chair, Cindy Rock. On behalf of the Overland Park Chamber, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to Cindy for her extraordinary leadership in 2024.

By way of introduction, my wife Kelly and I moved to this beautiful community with our two children in 2015 after I merged the company I founded with Overland Park-based MarksNelson Advisory. I now have the privilege of serving as Managing Partner of MarksNelson Advisory, a growing accounting and business advisory firm that has been recognized as a Great Place to Work and Best Accounting Firms to Work For multiple years running.

Given this background, I would like to share three key perspectives I bring to the role of Chair.

First, I am deeply passionate about the role of business in uplifting communities and consider it an honor to serve and support you through the Overland Park Chamber.

Secondly, I was not born in Overland Park – I chose Overland Park, and have personally experienced the many things that made my family feel welcome, engaged, and rooted in this magnificent community.

Third, I firmly believe in the power of partnership and believe the OP Chamber is uniquely positioned to bring together business and community leaders to solve significant problems and achieve substantial goals.

As we move into 2025, I challenge you to find ways to be a part of the power of partnership. I encourage you and your colleagues to actively engage in the important mission of this organization. Your engagement is not just invited, it is essential.

We all are enjoying this beautiful community that is the result of the hard work of leaders who came before us, who stepped outside their silos and worked together to make this community strong. Now it is our turn to do the same. Won’t you join us?

Cheers to a prosperous New Year!