Kansas State Affairs Committee

 

David Belpedio leads MarksNelson’s State & Local Tax group. He specializes in providing State and local tax consulting and compliance services to mid-market companies throughout the United States. David’s group’s goal is to ensure that his clients are paying only their fair share of State & Local Taxes.

David has been with MarksNelson since 2004.He has been a partner with MarksNelson since 2005 and leads the State and Local Tax Group. Before MarksNelson, he worked in the State and Local Tax Department at KPMG and Arthur Anderson.

 

As a member of the Swope Health Services' Senior Leadership Team, Michelle oversees the development and implementation of numerous programs designed to enhance the patient experience at Swope Health Services. She has responsibility for several key functions including:

• Community Engagement and Outreach
• Marketing (to include brand strategy)
• Employee Communications
• Fund Development
• Patient Satisfaction
• Legislative Affairs and Government Relations

Prior to joining Swope Health Services, Michelle held strategic communication positions at The University of Kansas Hospital, the Kauffman Foundation, Hallmark Cards, Inc., AT&T and USAA.

As the chief development officer for Hope House, a domestic violence agency in Eastern Jackson County, Missouri, I am passionate about building relationships, advocating and fundraising for our agency and those we serve, and continuing to educate the community about domestic violence and the importance of breaking the cycle.  

Tony Rupp is the partner-in-charge of the Kansas City office and a member of Foulston’s litigation & employment practice group. He is a trial attorney who represents universities, corporations, large and small businesses, hospitals, and municipalities. He also defends professionals including attorneys, accountants, and physicians. Tony tries multiple jury and court trials and argues appeals in state and federal courts. He also has extensive experience in arbitration and mediation.  Tony was recognized by the Johnson County Bar Association in 2008, which named him the third recipient of the Honorable Earl E. O’Connor Civility Award which recognizes the commitment of civility in the practice of law through professionalism, honor, integrity, preparation, and advocacy.

President and CEO Health Insurance Cooperative Agency Inc LUTCF, Member NAHU 
Author "Weathering the Healthcare Storm" Leading the way for more affordable health Benefits Plans for our members.  Our agency has worked as a consultant for the Kansas Hospital Association as well as private employers, city and county government.  Our agency is know for exceptional service and advocacy for members. HIC Agency Inc  works throughout the mid west including both Kansas and Missouri . 
Our agency is contracted with all of the major carriers as well as building self funded, level funded and fully insured plans.  Our agency also offers dental, vision and supplemental coverages for plan members. 
 

Daniel Buller is a partner and member of Foulston’s Litigation practice group in the firm’s Kansas City office. He represents individuals and organizations in areas including cybersecurity and technology, complex business litigation, water law, and products liability.  Prior to attending law school, Daniel worked in the IT industry as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. His professional experience in that field includes more than eight years working for a software, information technology, and communications company as a Corporate Systems Administrator and Business Continuity Consultant. As a Foulston attorney, Daniel incorporates his hands-on IT experience with his law practice. Daniel’s high-level technical expertise and ground-up understanding of systems and processes guide his approach when called to evaluate, analyze, and litigate technology-related matters of all kinds. 

Tara Eberline is a partner and chair of Foulston’s litigation & employment practice group in the firm’s Kansas City office. As an employment defense attorney, Tara helps employers of all sizes navigate the ever-changing field of employment law. She advises business owners and their human resources staff on complex workplace challenges at all stages of the employment relationship and helps them make strategic and lawful decisions regarding applicants, current employees and former employees with the goal of avoiding litigation.
When litigation is unavoidable, Tara assists companies in disputes and lawsuits alleging claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage payment violations, First Amendment, and other constitutional violations. 

David Green is a member of Foulston's construction and natural resources litigation team. His practice includes design and construction contract drafting and consulting, claim negotiation, and dispute resolution through arbitration and litigation. David serves a wide range of clients across the construction and real estate development industries, including general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and property owners and developers. David's background in architectural engineering gives him a unique understanding of his clients’ businesses and legal concerns.

I have been practicing for over 20 years in both Kansas and Missouri. I am an experienced trial lawyer and business litigator. Most of my trials have been on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro area, primarily in federal court, Johnson County, or Wyandotte County, but I have also tried cases in Clay County.  My most recent trial in February 2019 was in Kansas federal court and resulted in a $12.6 million verdict for my clients.  Because I tend to handle more complex matters, most of my trials last weeks, not days, and some have been several weeks long. I'm in Best Lawyers and have been chosen as Lawyer of the Year on the Kansas side in Intellectual Property Litigation and in Personal Injury Defense. I became a lawyer because I like to help people solve problems, and that desire to help others continues to drive my passion for the practice of law. 

Colby L. Rieke is an experienced domestic relations attorney focusing on family law and divorce with more than 16 years of experience in both Kansas and Missouri. Mr. Rieke focuses his practice on divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, and maintenance (alimony) cases, for both mother and father. Mr. Rieke represents business owners, C-suite executives, medical professionals, and their spouses in a variety of family law matters. He helps clients navigate complex business valuations, characterization of marital and non-marital assets, and child support and maintenance issues. 

He has been named to the Super Lawyers® list in the area of Family Law in Kansas and Missouri for 2019, and named to the Rising Star® list every year from 2014 through 2018. He is a member of the Firm’s Family Law & Divorce Practice Group, and the Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Practice Group.

Michele is president & CEO of EAG, an outsourced marketing department for growing companies. Located in the Crossroads, EAG has served over 500 entrepreneurial companies since 2003; most based in the KC area.
 
At EAG, Michele works with leaders of companies and non-profits of all sizes, drawing upon decades of experience to serve these businesses, including previous roles as president of a large national ad agency, and as owner of a 3-location boxing franchise in the Dallas area.
 
Michele is president of the Business Marketing Association and an board officer, development committee chair and governance committee chair for Académie Lafayette Public Charter Schools. She is a native of KC, where she resides with her husband and two children.
 

Debbie Kirchhoff, executive director of strategic initiatives for Kansas State University's Olathe Campus is responsible for community engagement and outreach in the Greater Kansas City region;  identifying and implementing opportunities for new initiatives that align with the strengths of Kansas State University; and professional development programming. These efforts also position K-State Olathe as a springboard for growth opportunities for Kansas State University.

Kirchhoff brings more than 25 years of corporate relations, community engagement and leadership experience in the Greater Kansas City region. Prior to her current position, she joined the Kansas State University Foundation as the director of corporate and foundation relations for K-State Olathe from 2011-2014 and director of development for the university's College of Veterinary Medicine from 2014-2016. 

Matt's is a Commercial Real Estate Professional with Reece Commercial.  Matt's experience in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas allows for his clients to benefit from the leading edge of commercial real estate to help in buying, selling and leasing.  Over the years, he has helped consult with Local Municipalities on Acquisition & Relocation projects tied to new development.

The energy and experience he brings to each deal is represented in his attention to detail which comes with helping find the best possible solutions for his clients.  His experience in multiple segments of Commercial Real Estate from Self Storage to Office and Retail allows for his clients to benefit from that activity and involvement.

Provide customized experiences to groups visiting Worlds of Fun.

Hi! I'm a registered Professional Engineer and specialize in transportation engineering and design. Although originally from the Quad Cities, I love calling Kansas City my home. On any given weekend you'll find me on the golf course and I'm always willing to fill in for your golf group. 

Deborah Cygan Sheppard, MHA, FACHE, has been appointed as Vice President of Women’s and Pediatric Services for HCA MidAmerica Division. With more than 25 years of experience in hospital operations and business development, Deborah will be responsible for setting a strategic direction across the MidAmerica Division for 13 acute-care hospitals in Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Mississippi, including developing and implementing business plans to support the continued growth and success of the Division and establishing and leading a cohesive organizational and governance structure that supports the hospitals, among others.
 

Jason is a Project Manager and Aviation Business Line Leader for Garver, LLC.  His experience includes managing and designing heavy civil engineering projects at commercial airports and Department of Defense (DOD) facilities locally and throughout the country. 

    

I defend clients in a variety of matters, concentrating my law practice on general civil litigation, including insurance defense in the areas of commercial, construction, employment, bad faith, and health care litigation. I also defend clients involved in personal injury and wrongful death claims. I have developed extensive experience involving complex legal issues, which give me unique insight on litigation and its effects on individuals and businesses.

 

Lauren is a third-generation entrepreneur and a startup founder. In her current role as a Business Performance Advisor with Insperity, Lauren works with business owners and executives based in Kansas City to help them reach their growth goals. 

Lauren has built her career around the principle of high purpose business, meaning that all efforts to build wealth must be beneficial not only for her family but for her community. It is this principle that led her to Insperity, where the mission is to help businesses succeed so that communities prosper.

In her spare time, Lauren plays soccer, paints watercolor portraits of her cats, roller skates with her dog, and enjoys KC's vibrant food scene with her wife Alexandra. They love to try cooking new cuisines at home, explore our museums and plan relaxing vacations. 
 

Coperion FHN - Process is our purpose.  We're a global manufacturing process solutions company with a distinct difference - collaborative, adaptive experts with a passion for getting the job done right.  From raw materials to a finished product, we can help at any, or every stage.  We focus on food and performance materials - we specialize in precision solutions for key industries.

Kassie Popper is a dual-licensed therapist in Missouri (PLPC) and Kansas (LPC). She began at The Children’s Place in early 2023 and has over 8.5 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in trauma-informed care and is trained in Trauma Systems Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, TheraPlay™ and PBIS. Previously, Kassie was the Clinical Manager of Hospital Admissions at KVC Hospitals and has an extensive background in inpatient hospitals, residential, and psychiatric healthcare settings. Experience includes working with youth diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities in both acute hospital and residential treatment facilities. Skilled in case management, utilization review, processing clinical insurance authorizations and tabling community-based events. Highly proficient in advanced PDF creation, editing, and management within Adobe Acrobat.

 

-B.S. Biology from University of St. Thomas
-Court Certified Sommelier
-John Gaunter Certified Sake Professional

I have worked in beverage and hospitality for twenty years in my hometown of Houston, Texas. The bulk of my career was spent at tasting menu restaurants (The Pass, Oxheart) and managing beverage programs/ wine lists (The Annie/Turners, Tiny Champions). 

My husband, Lee, and I moved to Overland Park in 2022 with the intent to open a retail space focused on wine made with respect to the people and places they come from. We hope our small shop is a place of inclusion for anyone curious about wine, beverage, and food.