March Quarterly Membership Luncheon Recap – Platte County Economic Development Council
On Friday, March 4th the Platte County Economic Development Council hosted its first Quarterly Membership Luncheon of the year at the KCI Marriott. With the theme of “Platte County Success Stories”, the luncheon saw 120 in attendance and featured a CEO panel with executives from three successful Platte County businesses.
Kansas City Councilmen Dan Fowler, 2nd District, and Scott Wagner, At-Large, spoke to luncheon attendees about the Kansas City earnings tax. The Platte County EDC’s Board has voted to support the e-tax, and the councilmen provided more information ahead of the April 5th vote.
After lunch, Chairwoman Jensen introduced the executives taking part in the CEO Panel, who spoke about the culture and missions of their companies, why they chose Platte County and workforce successes and challenges.
The three panelists were:
Chad Earwood, CEO of Engaged Companies based on Hwy 45 in Parkville. Engaged Companies moved into a new 30,000 square foot new building located at the entrance to the National Golf Club of Kansas City last summer. Engaged Companies includes eight businesses covering transportation, technology, education and financial businesses
Jim West, Vice-President of Velociti’s Facilities Division. Velociti is a global provider of technology deployment services, specializing in the installation & service of a broad range of technology products. The company moved into Riverside Horizons in 2012 and its clients include Fortune 500 companies from a wide variety of market segments.
Ginger Williams, Director of Hub Operations at TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which administers health care services for veterans and military families. The company moved into 64,000-square-foot facility on NW 110th Street in September 2015.
Following the panel, Platte County EDC’s Executive Director, Alicia Stephens, provided an organizational update. She reported on the recent announcement that Costco was coming to the Northland in an area completely in the Platte County R3 School District; the news will jump start development in the PCEDC initiative Twin Creeks KC. Stephens also talked about project work, the Platte County EDC’s new website and the focus on workforce solutions.
A big thanks to our sponsors, panelists and all who attended our March luncheon. The next Quarterly Luncheon will be Friday, June 3rd at the KCI Expo Center.