Guests

2018 Grill Nation Show Guests:

April 2018: 

• Jim Carr – CEO – NAIA
• Ryan Rink – President – Two West Companies
• Michael Viazzoli – President/CEO – MoBank | EVP of BOK Financial
• Deborah Sandler – General Director & CEO – Lyric Opera of Kansas City
• Matt Druten – Managing Director / Co-Founder – Edison Spaces
• Andrew Cameron – Founder – Donutology

March 2018: 

• Evita Robinson – Founder – Nomandess Travel Tribe / TED Resident
• Ryan Maybee – Owner – The Rieger / J. Rieger & Co.
• Dr. Ken Vehec – Owner – Kansas City Phantoms
• Clifton Alexander – Founder – Reactor Design Studios
• Philip Gaskin – Director – Entrepreneurial Communities / Chief of Staff to VP of Entrepreneurship – Kauffman Foundation
• Jeff Oddo – President / Owner – Citywide Maintenance and Citywide Franchise
• Michael Viazzoli – President/CEO – MoBank | EVP of BOK Financial

February 2018:

• Steve Shrawder – President – The National Golf Club
• Clifton Alexander – Founder – Reactor Design Studios
• Craig Feigan – Award Winning Super Bowl Commerical Creator
• Michael Viazzoli – President/CEO – MoBank | EVP of BOK Financial
• Danny O’Neill – Founder (Bean Baron) – The Roasterie
• Sean Stormes – CEO/Chief Demand Creator – The Third Door

January 2018: 

• Stephanie Carey – Publisher/Owner – The Pitch
• Dave Borchardt – Director of Events – Kansas City Sports Commission
• Mike Stradinger – CEO – Holland1916
• Jeff Phillips – Sr. VP – MoBank
• Tim Cowden – President/CEO – Kansas City Area Development Council
• Clifton Alexander – Founder – Reactor Design Studios

2017 Grill Nation Show Guests:

December 2017:

• Alan Gaylin – CEO/Owner – Bread & Butter Concepts
• Devin Henderson – Humorist/Keynote Speaker – DevinHenderson.com
• Clifton Alexander – Founder – Reactor Design Studios
• Matthew Hufft – Co-Founder / President – Hufft
• Jeff Phillips – Sr. VP – MoBank
• Best of Show – Barry Grissom (Polsinelli), Tom Pigott (MGP Ingredients), Tori Fugate (KC Pet Project) and Neal Sharma (DEG)
• Best of Show – Alan Gaylin (Bread & Butter Concepts), Jim Wagy (McDonalds), Tucker Trotter (Dimensional Innovations), Devin Henderson (Magician/Humorist/Speaker)

November 2017:

• Chris Harris – Founder – Harris Park / Urban Golf Course in KC
• Clifton Alexander – Founder – Reactor Design Studios
• Tucker Trotter – President/CEO – Dimensional Innovations
• Tom Collins – COO – Dimensional Innovations
• Jeff Phillips – Sr. VP – MoBank
• Best of Show – Happy Thanksgiving!

October 2017:

• Clifton Alexander – Founder – Reactor Design Studios
• Michael Viazzoli – President/CEO – MoBank / Bok Financial
• Tyler Nottberg – Chairman/CEO – U.S. Engineering
• Joel Goldberg – Host – Fox Sports Kansas City / KC Royals
• Mary Jean Eisenhower – President/CEO – People to People International
• Ryan Maybee – Owner – J. Rieger & Co and Rieger KC
• Colby Garrelts – Owner – Bluestem and Rye

September 2017:

• Jim Wagy – Owner/Operator – McDonalds
• Jon Niemuth – Director – AECOM Sports – Americas
• Joe Reardon – President/CEO – Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
• Michael Viazzoli – President/CEO – MoBank / Bok Financial
• Greg Owsley – STEAM Director – Rockhurst High School
• Millie Brown – Rockhurst Board of Directors / Philathropist
• Eric Willey – Concierge Director – OneLightKC / TwoLightKC
• Dustin Sollars – Professional Studies Facilitator – Park Hill School District

August 2017:

• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studios
• Chase Wilson – Creative Director – Reactor Design Studios
• Julie Walter – Visual Virtuosa – Reactor Design Studios
• Matt Armstrong – Sr. Marketing Director – Boy Scouts of America, Heart of America Council
• Gregg Riess – VP of Membership / Board of Directors – Boy Scouts of America, Heart of America Council
• Mandi Sonneberg – Co-Founder – STEAM Studio / Professor – Rockhurst University
• David Reid – Co-Founder – STEAM Studio / Principal – Gould Evans
• Chad Troutwine – CEO / Co-Founder – Veritas Prep, CodeSmith & Torn Label Brewery

July 2017:

• Shanley Cox – Founder – Out to Eat (outtoeat.co)
• Joel Goldberg – Host – Fox Sports Kansas City / KC Royals
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studios
• Marissa Cleaver Wamble – VP – PortKC / Berkley Riverfront
• Keith Harman – National Commander – VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
• Michael Viazzoli – President / CEO – mobank / bok financial
• Ryan Maybee – Owner – J. Rieger & Co / Rieger KC
• Brock Schulte – Bar Director / Partner – The Monarch

June 2017: 

• Ryan Maybee – Owner – J. Rieger & Co / Rieger KC
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studios
• Mark Fitzpatrick – Sr. VP – mobank
• Sean Khurana – President / COO – Cavern Technologies
• Barry Grissom – Former United States Attorney
• Todd Mackin – VP of Sales – Kansas City Mavericks

May 2017: 

• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studios
• Michael Viazzoli – President and CEO – mobank / bok financial.
• John Hoffman – Owner – UC-B Properties
• Eric Willey – Concierge – One Light Luxury Apartments
• Megh Knappenberger – Artist – MeghMakesArt
• Quinton Lucas – City Councilman – Kansas City, Missouri

April 2017:

• Ryan Maybee – Owner – The Rieger KC / J. Rieger & Co.
• Michael Corvino – Owner – Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studio
• Jason Cupp – Kolbe Certified Growth Consultant
• Emily Brewer – Co-Founder – localE (shopthelocale.com)
• Ewa Zadrzynska – Director – Poetry Unites
• Andrew Bash – Owner – Bash Real Estate
• Stefan White – President – Friends of the River / Battle4KC
• George Brooks – Founder – Crema

March 2017: 

• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studio
• Michael Amigoni – Owner – Amigoni Urban Winery
• Joel Goldberg – Host/Reporter – Fox Sports Kansas City
• Tori Fugate – Director of Development & Marketing – KC Pet Project
• Michael Viazzoli – President and CEO – MoBank
• Tom Pigott – CFO – MGP Ingredients

February 2017:

• Quinton Lucas – KCMO Councilman / Law Professor – KU
• John Holt – Anchor – Fox 4 News
• Shawn Kinkade – Owner – Aspire Business Development
• Kenzi Hoyle – Marketing Coordinator – Kansas City Power & Light District
• Michael Viazzoli – CEO/President – Bank of Kansas City
• Neal Sharma – CEO – DEG
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studio
• Clay Alexander – CEO – Ember Technologies (Ember Mug)
• Drew Solomon – EDCKC and LaunchKC
• Jenny Vergara – Contributing Editor – Feast Magazine

January 2017:

• Ryan Maybee – Owner – The Rieger KC / Co-Founder – J. Rieger & Co.
• Doug Frost – Master of Wine / Master Sommelier / Wine Consultant / Writer
• John Mikos – EVP and COO – YMCA of Greater Kansas City
• Ryan Humphrey – VP – Bank of Kansas City
• Matt Seithel – Coordinator of Membership Programs – Nelson Atkins Museum
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studio
• John Maslowski – VP – Renovate America
• Paul Singh – Founder – Results Junkies / Partner – 500 Startups

2016 Grill Nation Show Guests:

December 2016:

• Stefany Williams – President/CEO – Goodwill (Western MO / Eastern KS)
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studio
• Victor Hwang – VP of Entrepreneurship – Kauffman Foundation
• Joel Goldberg – Broadcaster – Royals, Missouri Mavs, UMKC Roos
• Shawn Edwards – Movie Critic – Fox 4
• Michael Viazzoli – President/CEO – Bank of Kansas City
• Matt Condon – CEO – ARC Physical Therapy / Bardavon Health Innovations
• Kara Lowe – Vice President – KC Tech Council
• Ryan Weber – President – KC Tech Council
• Doug Dresslaer – Manager – Sprint Accelerator
• Steve Nicholson – CEO – TRUSS
• Erica Brune – President – Lever1

November 2016: 

• Ryan Maybee  – Owner – The Rieger KC / Co-Founder – J. Rieger & Co.
• Danny Pfeifer – Principal and Founder – Catalyst
• Andrew Olsen – Bar Manager – Bluestem
• Ryan Weber – President – KC Tech Council
• Kara Lowe – Vice President – KC Tech Council
• Annie Presley – Publisher/Author – Ace Publishing / Read This Series
• Steve Nicholson – CEO – TRUSS
• Alicia Banister – Leasing Manager – Two Light

October 2016: 

• Andrew Bash – Owner – Bash Real Estate
• Michael Wilson – Founder and CEO – Niall
• Ryan Weber – President – KC Tech Council
• Alexi Madon – Director of State Government Affairs – CompTIA
• Greg Kratofil – Shareholder – Polsinelli
• Michael Viazzoli – President and CEO – Bank of Kansas City
• John Mitchell – CEO – Company Kitchen
• Lynn Parman – President and CEO – American Royal
• Lord Erne – The Earl of Erne – Crom Castle
• Brian Boitano – Olympic Gold Medalist – Figure Skating
• Kelly Scanlon – Owner – Thinking Bigger Business
• Priscilla McInnes – Regional Director – Youth Entrepreneurs

September 2016:

• Dr. Greg Gunderson – President – Park University
• Andrew Hsu – Managing Partner – Spotlight Analyst Relations
• Ryan Rink – President – Two West Advisors
• Sean McIntosh – Executive Director – Bunker Labs KC
• Drew Solomon – Senior Vice President – KC EDC / Launch KC
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studio
• John Teasdale – Executive Director – Happy Bottoms

August 2016:

• Melissa Ingber – Vice President – Aspen Institute
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studio
• Andrew Bash – Owner – The Bash Group
• Sarah Weltner Chaffee – Owner – Mint Design
• Mike Lundgren – Partner – VML (TedxKC)
• Michael Viazzoli – President & CEO – Bank of Kansas City
• George Guastello – President & CEO – Union Station
• Jess Hagen – Managing Partner – Experience Events Group

July 2016:

• Geoff Miles – Founder – The Kansas City Clothing Company
• Joel Goldberg – Royals Live Host – Fox Sports Kansas City
• Eric Willey – Concierge – One Light KC
• Clifton Alexander – Owner – Reactor Design Studio
• Ryan Weber – President – KC Tech Council
• Ryan Maybee – Owner – The Rieger KC / Co-Founder – J. Rieger & Co.
• Leib Dodell – Co-Managing Partner – Bar K
• Evan Absher – Program Officer – Kauffman Foundation

June 2016:

• Ryan Maybee – Owner – The Rieger KC / Co-Founder – J. Rieger & Co.
• Andrew Ganahl – Managing Partner – Linden Street Partners
• Eddie Crane – Owner – Ollie’s Local
• Andrew Bash – Founder – The Bash Group
• Robin Krause – Owner – Unbakery and Juicery
• Staci Cross – Founder – Enjoy pure food + drink
• Traci Moon – Sr. VP of Marketing and Communications – Visit KC
• Brad Sandt – President – k12itc

May 2016:

• Jeff Slobotski – Founder – Router Ventures
• Lisa Tulp – Catholic Charities
• Stephen Hilliard – Catholic Charities
• Jessica Nelson – Managing Director – TeamKC
• Shawn Kinkade – President – Aspire Business Development
• Andrew Bash – Founder – The Bash Group
• Lyndon Wade – Founder – RW2 Productions, The Wade Brothers, The Guild
• Joel Goldberg – Host – Royals Live – Fox Sports Kansas City

April 2016:

• Conor Kelly – Principal – The ETF Store
• Colleen Kelly – Co-Owner – Kelly’s Westport Inn
• James Westphal – Owner – McCoys/Beer Kitchen/The Foundry/Char Bar
• Kim Kimbrough – Executive Director – Executive Director at Westport Regional Business League
• Michel Scuvuzzo – United Doc
• Jennifer Sterns – Community Manager – The Grill Collaborative Work Space
• Veronica Elliot Loncar – Executive Director – KC Film Fest
• Joel Goldberg – Royals Pre and Post Game Host – Fox Sports Kansas City
• Eric Flanagan – GM – Leinenkugels KC – Power and Light District
• Jess Hagen – President/Managing Partner – Experience Events Group
• Jay Nath – Chief Innovation Officer – City and County of San Francisco, CA
• Jimmy Conrad – Major League Soccer Legend/Former USMNT World Cup Member

March 2016: 

• Melissa Roberts – Enterprise Center of Johnson County
• Rich Smith – President/CEO – Henderson Engineers
• Melissa Reed – Communications Manager – Henderson Engineers
• Luke Norris – Head of Local Government Solutions – PayIt
• Ethan Whitehill – Founder – Wicket & Peg
• Drew Coleman – GM – No Other Pub
• Andrew Bash – Founder – The Bash Group
• John Kennyhertz – Partner – Kennyhertz Perry

February 2016:

• Eric Willey – Managing Partner – Cleaver & Cork
• Steve Nicholson – CEO – Truss
• Carla McCabe – VP – KCPT
• Jenny Vergara – Contributing Editor – Feast Magazine
• Ryan Rink – Two West
• Shawn Edwards – Movie Critic – Fox 4
• Michael Lawrence – CEO – Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Andrea Joseph – Founder – PlateKC / Season + Squared
• Andrew Bash – Founder – The Bash Group
• John Kennyhertz – Partner – Kennyhertz Perry

January 2016:

• Michael Collins – President/CEO – Port KC
• Mark Peterson – EVP/CFO – EPR Properties
• Michael Viazzoli – President/CEO – Bank of Kansas City
• Grant Burcham – President/CEO – Missouri Bank
• Shawn Kincaid – Founder – Aspire KC
• Jason McAnich – Founder – JTek
• Molly Maxwell – Founder – Hoopla Studio
• Megan Thornberry – Founder – Hoopla Studio
• Andrew Bash – Founder – The Bash Group
• John Kennyhertz – Partner – Kennyhertz Perry

2015 Grill Nation Show Guests:

January 2015:

• Mona Raglow – Balance to Succeed
• Andrew Bash – The Bash Group
• Mike Spiegel Jr. and Kevin Rorhbach – Jersey Mike Subs
• John Kennyhertz – Kennyhertz Perry
• Ryan Maybee – J. Rieger & Co (Whiskey)/Manifesto/Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange
• Rafi Chandry and Travis Moore – Torn Label Brewery
• Roshann Parris – CEO & President, Parris Communications

February 2015:

• Timothy Sprinkle – Author “Screw the Valley”
• Tanner Mueller – Alpha Clothing
• Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner – KC Public Library
• Eric Willey – Cleaver & Cork
• Shawn Edwards – Fox 4 Movie Critic

March 2015:

• John Kennyhertz – Kennyhertz Perry
• Jeff Covitz – Owner, Houndstooth
• Aaron Prater and Ryan Wing – Owners, The Sundry
• Conner Teahan – Merrill Lynch, KC Pulse, National Champion Kansas University Basketball
• Andrew Bash – The Bash Group
• Rick Usher – Asst City Manager KCMO / GEC 2015
• Allison Konkel – Techweek
• Curt McMillan – Inventors Center of Kansas City
• Mindy Hart – Make48
• Jonathan Robinson – Kauffman Foundation
• Mathew Dahlberg – 111th Street Investments
• Darcy Howe – Merrill Lynch / Angel Investor / Philanthropist
• Matt Benge – Insurance Consultant / Civic Leader

April 2015:

• Joel Goldberg – Fox Sports Kansas City – Royals Live Host and In-Game Sideline Reporter
• John Kennyhertz – KennyHertz Perry
• Andy Hung – GM, Uber
• Danny Pfeifer – Owner, Catalyst Government Affairs
• Kelly Cole – CEO/President, Halls
• Nick Benjamin – Executive Director, Kansas City Power and Light District
• Blake Miller – Partner, Think Big Partners
• Drew Solomon – Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, EDC of Kansas City
• Nate Orr – Partner, Spencer Fane
• Ryan Maybee – Owner, The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange
• Butch Rigby – Owner, Screenland Theaters and the Film Row Company
• Andrew Bash – Owner, The Bash Group
• Mike Lundgren – Director of Innovation Strategy, VML
• Steve Apkon – Executive Producer, Planetary
• Matt Condon – CEO, Bardavon Health Innovations/ARC Physical Therapy+

May 2015:

• Lisa Mizell – CEO, Child Protection Center
• Chris Culbertson – Creative Risk Planning Services
• Danny Pfeifer – Grill Nation Contributor and CEO, Catalyst
• Cary Silverman – CEO, Waldo General, Inc.
• Colby and Megan Garrelts – Owners and National Acclaimed Chefs from Bluestem and Rye
• Nigel Eccles – CEO and Founder of Fan Duel, the largest daily sports fantasy company in the world
• Joel Goldberg – Fox Sports Kansas City and Host of Royals Live
• Brian Matthys and Alexander Borve – First Derm
• Nathan Corn – CEO, FlexPro Meals

June 2015:

• Mike Burke – KC Downtown Convention Hotel Mastermind and Attorney
• Mark O’Renick – Salva O’Renick and Slavic Fest
• Bobby Burch – Editor in Chief, Startland News
• Matthew Marcus – Kansas City Startup Village, Kansas City Startup Weekend Winner and CEO 1 Minute Candidate
• Andrew Bash, John Kennyhetz and Danny Pfeiffer – Guest Contributors and Grill Nationals
• Erik Wullschleger – Director of LiveKC
• Ramsey Mohsen and John Kreicbergs – The Real Modern Show
• Ronnie Burt – CEO, Visit KC
• Hunter McGrath – VP, Tivol
• Mike Wilson – CEO, Niall
• Shawn Edwards- Fox 4 Movie Critic
• Joel Goldberg – Fox Sports Kansas City and Host of Royals Live
• Rachel Waller – Director of Marketing, Kansas City Power and Light District
• Brian Barnes – Managing Partner, Bristol Seafood Grill
• Ethan Whitehill – CEO, Two West

July 2015:

• John Kennyhertz – Kennyhertz Perry
• Kyle Smith – Crossfit Trainer, CrossFit Memorial Hill
• JP Price – World Class Powerlifter
• Amy Morrison -Yoga Instructor and Founder of Namastamy
• Sharon Prothe – “The Fit Guru” and Owner of Fit Formula
• Andrew Bash, John Kennyhertz and Danny Pfeifer – Guest Contributors and Grill Nationals
• Penny Pritzker – US Secretary of Commerce
• Anna Gudmundsson – NY Times featured fashion designer and owner of http://www.AnnaRuna.com
• Marnie Sauls – Community Manager, One Light Luxury Apartments
• Jim Heeter – President and CEO, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

August 2015:

• Ryan Maybee -Guest Co-Host and Contributor, Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange/J.Rieger & Co.
• Andy Rieger – Operator,  J. Rieger & Co
• Chris O’Connor – Partner, Liquid9
• Daniel Edwards – Founder of the KC Jazz Legacy Project/Owner of the Castle on 20th and Vine
• Ryan Noonan- Director Corporate Communications, AMC Theatres
• Jason Harper, Aaron Deacon and IIya Tabakh – KC Digital Drive
• Michael Viazzoli- CEO, Bank of Kansas City
• Marie Dispenza – Director, Royals Charities: Diamond of Dreams
• Jake Zimmerman – St. Louis County Assessor and Former Missouri Representative
• Katy Lynch – CEO, Techweek
• John Kennyhertz – Kennyhertz Perry law firm
• Danny Pfeifer, Catalyst Group
• Andrew Bash – CEO, The Bash Group
• llya Tabakh – CEO, Edge Up Sports
• Joel Goldberg – On-Air Fox Sports Kansas City (Royals Live)

September 2015:

• Ruben Alonso – President, AltCap (Alternative Capital for Community Impact)
• Gloria Rudd- VP, Chat Series and mother of Paul Rudd
• Jonathan Badeen – Co-Founder, Tinder
• Drew Solomon – VP, KC EDC and Chair of LaunchKC
• Katy Lynch – CEO, Techweek
• Ryan Maybee – Guest Co-Host and Grill Nation Contributor, J.Rieger & Co./Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange
• Howard Hanna – Chef and Owner, Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange
• Dave Pickerell – Former Master Distiller, Makers Mark (1994-2008).
• John Teasdale – Executive Director, Happy Bottoms
• Aaron Ogilvie – Managing Partner & Brewer, Double Shift Brewing Company
• Heidi Schmidt – Leasing and Hospitality Specialist, One Light Luxury Apartments.

October 2015:

• Andrew Bash – The Bash Group
• Kim Palmer – Event Director, World Series of Barbecue at the American Royal
• Andrew Dickson and Jennifer Dickson – Founders, Acre Designs
• Joel Goldberg – Host, Fox Sports Kansas City
• Michael Gelphman – Founder, Compute Midwest
• Greg Bergen – Executive Vice President, Missouri Mavericks
• John Kennyhertz – Grill Nationals, Kennyhertz Perry
• Danny Pfeifer – Grill Nationals, Catalyst Group
• Miro Cernetig- Co-Founder, CityAge
• Bo Fishback- CEO, Zaarly and former Head of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation
• Jerry Reece – Chairman, Emeritus and Former CEO of Reece & Nichols

November 2015:

• Joel Goldberg – Fox Sports Kansas City Royals Live Pre/Post Game Host and In-Game Reporter
• Ben Rendo – Founder, Mighty Handle
• Thad Langford – Founding General Partner, Flyover Capital
• Steph Scupham – KC Film Commissioner and film + media manager, VisitKC
• Andrew Bash, The Bash Group
• Danny Pfeifer, Catalyst Government Affairs
• John Kennyhertz, KennyHertz Perry

December 2015:

• Margaret Onken – Executive Director, the Hawthorn Foundation
• Kathy Nelson – President and CEO, Kansas City Sports Commission
• Andrew Bash – The Bash Group
• Shawn Edwards – Fox 4 Movie Critic
• Ryan Maybee – Owner, The Rieger KC & J. Rieger & Co.
• Wit Solberg – Managing Partner, Mission Peak Capital
• Blake Miller – Partner, Think Big Partners
• Ryan O’Connell – National Sales Manager, YEC
• Matt McGraw – President and CEO, DSI