LMC Hears from New KC Fed VP, Honors Esther George and Colleen White
The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City (LMC) celebrated its 45th anniversary by honoring retired Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Esther George and construction industry trail blazer Colleen White. The 200 attendees at the April 25 event also learned more about the Federal Reserve from new KC Fed First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kim Robbins. Photos from the event can be found in Photo Albums at the right under 45th Anniversary.
George received the Leadership in Labor-Management Cooperation award. She was honored because as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, George encouraged strong relationships between the bank and organized labor and the KC area business community. One example is Duke Dujakovich, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO president who presented the award and is KC Fed board chair. George provided keynote addresses to the LMC’s Anniversary Celebration and to the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference and attended many LMC events, showing support for the LMC mission of labor-management cooperation.
“It has been my honor to engage with the labor and business community” George said.
White, president of Strategic Workplace Solutions, earned the Service to the Labor-Management Council award. A trailblazer for women and for fair enforcement of labor standards in her positions as a union leader, government official and businesswoman, White was cited for her support for the mission of the LMC and consistently promoting the LMC’s events, issue positions and programs. The study on apprenticeship demographics the LMC commissioned her to do not only helped shape the Kansas City, Mo. workforce diversity program but continues to inform on the issue. In accepting the award, White lauded the increasing participation of women in construction and for more efforts to recruit and retain women to the industry.
Robbins, in her first public address since being appointed First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Kansas City Fed, explained the key roles the Fed plays in the economy: monetary policy, supervision and regulation of banks and the payments system. She helped lead the implementation of the first significant change in the payments system in 50 years so transactions in a much more electronic world can be faster, safer and more efficient for consumers and financial institutions. She emphasized the Fed’s desire to remain close to Main Street and encouraged participation in the Fed’s activities by labor and business leaders. That input plays a key role in the Fed’s decision-making, Robbins noted. The economy is strongest when everyone participates and the Fed works in the community to broaden economic opportunity, Robbins said. She also touted the KC Fed’s Money Museum, which drew more than 40,000 people last year.
The LMC elevated Jimmy Walker, Kansas City Fire Department, to Vice Co-Chair, Management and Chris Stanton, McCownGordon Construction, to Vice Co-Chair, Management. Re-elected were Ralph Oropeza, Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council, as Secretary and Greg Davey, Builders’ AGC as Treasurer. Rocky Kloth, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, and Whitney Chandler, Heartland Women in Trades, were elected to the Board of Directors. The LMC also honored outgoing Co-Chair, Management Bret Bonge, Evergy.
Nine graduates of the LMC’s 2023-24 Mid-Level Leadership program were recognized: Matthew Black, Fire Fighters Local 3808; Whitney Chandler, Heartland Women in Trades; Wally Geib, Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal; Andrew Linafelter, JE Dunn Construction Co.; Kelly McClellen, Heartland Women in Trades; Matt McNamara, Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal; Sarah Miller, City of Kansas City, Mo.; Tina Shonk-Little, Heatland Women in Trades; Victor Speers, Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal.
The event was made possible by sponsors including Founding level Builders’ AGC, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal and IBEW Local 124; Anniversary Sponsor Power Partners; and Awards Sponsors Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663,, IBEW Local 53 , JE Dunn Construction Co., Laborers Locals 264, Laborers Local 1290 and Pipefitters Local 533. Key volunteers for the event included Jennifer Borkowski, Humana; Mary Jacobi; and Emilia Rivera, E&K.
Upcoming LMC and related events include the Mid-America Labor/Management Conference July 7-10 at Camden on the Lake, the Craig Whitaker Memorial LMC Golf Tournament July 23 at Eagle’s Landing Golf Club and the LMC/BOMA-KC Public Officials Reception Oct. 10 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Information on LMC programs and activities can be found at http://labormanagementkc.typepad.com and by contacting Bob Jacobi, executive director, at [email protected].
The LMC is a non-profit membership organization officed at Rockhurst University. It’s mission is to enhance collaboration by solidifying trust and communication between labor and management in the community.