Our Lee’s Summit Chamber is filled with so many great leaders. A number of young professionals are showcasing their leadership and making a big impact on the business community. Influencing all generations of work in a variety of industries, we want to highlight twenty young professionals that we have noticed in our membership. Look for many more years of business growth from this group of outstanding professionals.
1. TRICIA SIMS
Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager | Security Bank of Kansas City
How did you get started in or choose your industry? Fortunately, an opportunity in banking presented itself. I found I exceled in this industry and truly enjoyed it.
2. JOEL WILSON
Financial Advisor | Edward Jones
What’s your favorite thing about Lee’s Summit? There are a lot of little things about this town that we are grateful for, but we especially enjoy the numerous parks and community centers. The activities for girls are endless from the father daughter dance, to swim lessons, and concerts at the amphitheater.
3. ALYSSA LALLY
Marketing & Communications Coordinator | Economic Development Center
Morning or night person? I worked overnights for many years, so I can stay up pretty late but I don’t frequently choose to anymore!
4. BEN SEIDEL
CEO & Founder | Igniting Business
When did you begin your professional career? My “career” actually started at 13 years old when I built my first professional website for a corporate client.
5. EMILY CRAWFORD
Partner | Treo Marketing
What’s your favorite thing about Lee’s Summit? It’s home. I was raised in Greenwood and went to Pleasant Lea Junior High (now PLMS) and Lee’s Summit High School. Every teacher, parent, neighbor and community member I encountered helped mold and define who I am today. I moved back to Lee’s Summit with my husband and children in spring of 2018 so they too can experience all Lee’s Summit has to offer.
6. LINDSAY CASE FREEMAN
Solar Developer | MC Power Company
What was your first job? It was a high school job at Hallmark Cards.
7. RYAN WATERS
Owner/Head Trainer | SHREDD KC
What’s your favorite thing about Lee’s Summit? I love the downtown community. I’ve had 3 different gyms in downtown LS over the last 10 years.
8. DR. LAINEY LAKE
Audiologist| Hearing & Balance Specialists of Kansas City
How did you get star ted in or choose your industry? My mom was a speech pathologist, which starts out as the same degree in school. Once I took my first Audiology course in my undergraduate program, I knew that was what I was meant to do forever.
9. AMBER MONACO
Community Manager | Bridge Space
When did you begin your professional career? My professional career began in 2004 when I joined the Navy. I was stationed in Italy and responsible for the safe navigation of a 10 million dollar warship.
10. ANNA BURGEN
Employment Specialist | Job One
Morning or night person? Currently a night person, but trying to change my ways and become a morning person in 2020!
11. ASHLEY NOWELL
Assistant Director | Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street
How did you get started in or choose your industry? I loved volunteering and serving at local nonprofits growing up. When I moved back after college, I got to meet a lot of the nonprofit leaders in Lee’s Summit and I got involved quickly! Our Lee’s Summit nonprofits are amazing and there are so many ways to get involved! I love that every day is different and you can learn and get experience in several different areas.
12. BRET BALLENTINE
Owner | Farmers Insurance – Ballentine Insurance Agency
What was your first job? My first job was a bus boy at Abuelos Mexican Restaurant at 15 years old.
13. TYLER BARR
Sales Manager | Tingle Flooring
When did you begin your professional career? June 2002 at Tingle Flooring until present day.
14. MATT GOTSCHALL
IT Professional | Salvus TG
What was your first job? I was a referee for the YMCA. I would spend my weekends officiating youth sports. This role taught me how to de-escalate situations and use communication to shift confrontations into conversations.
15. TRICIA BYRD
Founder | Web Worx
How did you get started in or choose your industry? It took me going to college three times to finally figure out what I wanted to do. I love technology, computers and entrepreneurs. It just fits me perfectly.
16. SKYLER J. ALDRICH
Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager | Security Bank of Kansas City
Morning or night person? I’m a night owl for sure. It takes a strong cold brew to get my morning started, but not a problem staying full of energy even after the sun sets.
17. TROY FLETCHER
Director of Business Development and Provider Relations | HCA Midwest
When did you begin your professional career? I started my career at Cerner Corporation in 2013. My first role at Cerner involved supporting and leading consulting projects with one of Cerner’s larger clients and health systems, Dignity Health.
18. STACY NEEDELS
Director of Development | St. Michael the Archangel
What’s your favorite thing about Lee’s Summit? That’s a toss-up between the people and the downtown. Although I’m not originally from Lee’s Summit, it feels like home to me because of the small-town feel and how welcoming everyone has always been. I love that it’s such a close-knit community that truly cares, and you can always run into a familiar face downtown.
19. LAUREN WITTIG
Mortgage Loan Officer | LeaderOne Financial
What was your first job? I worked at a pizza place in Chillicothe called Royal Pizza.
20. COURTNEY LAUFKETTER
Vice President of Sales & Marketing| Budget Blinds of Lee’s Summit
How did you get started in or choose your industry? Budget Blinds is a family business so I have been working here since I was about 13, however I did work for one of our vendors for two years.
Read more about each of these young professionals in the latest copy of Catalyst magazine.