CEO Series

Kansas City‘s business leaders are managing their companies through the deepest recession in modern times. The immensely popular CEO Series brings nine presidents and CEOs to The Central Exchange over the year to share how they‘re adapting to the economic downturn, and how they‘re positioning their organizations to be successful in the new economy ahead.

“Leading Through Unprecedented Times” is the theme for the 2009-2010 series, which is sponsored by Right Management.

“This series gives CX members and their guests a close look into leadership at the top of some very successful Kansas City companies,” said Denise Kruse, executive vice-president Right Management, Heartland, Midland & Rocky Mountain Markets.

All programs are from 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at The CX Downtown.
Non-members are welcome with advanced registration and payment of $35.
These programs fill up quickly, so please register well in advance.

Gerardo “Gerry” Lopez
CEO, AMC Entertainment Inc.

February 24, 2010
The movie business is evolving. More movies are being delivered by mail, viewed online or rented at one location and returned to another. AMC is changing with the times. Once thought of as a company with movie theaters nationwide, under new CEO Gerardo Lopez, AMC now defines itself as being in the exhibition business, with a leadership role in the entertainment arena.

Lopez is only the fourth CEO in AMC’s almost 90-year history. His understanding of brands, guests, and their experiences and interaction were paramount in his decision to join AMC in March of 2009. Previously, Lopez served as executive vice president of Starbucks Coffee Company. He was also president of its Global Consumer Products, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Foodservice divisions. In these roles, he led the strategy to support Starbucks’ growth and expansion of consumer product offerings worldwide.

In his more than 25-year career, he has served in executive management positions with Frito-Lay, Pepsi-Cola, and the Procter & Gamble Company.

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David Gentile
CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas City

March 31, 2010
Next to the economic meltdown, much of the attention of the U.S. Congress over the past year has focused on health care. No company in the area has a higher stake in the discussion than Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

As the initial votes took place in the House and Senate, the company elevated a long-time member of management to the CEO post. David Gentile joined BCBSKC in 1991, and over his almost 20-year career has provided leadership in marketing and managed care, as well as information technology and customer service.

Gentile was named Executive Vice President of Blue KC in 2005, with responsibility for claims and customer service, operations performance improvement, and the company’s subsidiaries. He coordinates the company’s strategic planning activities, ensuring that a full array of quality and timely services are available to members of Blue KC. Gentile also is involved with the company’s e-Commerce strategic business activities as well as web development.

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