Distinguished Alumni Award

QIANA THOMASON

Qiana Thomason, a life-long Kansas Citian, has dedicated her career to the improvement of health and well-being across the region, with a special focus on powerful and resilient communities experiencing health injustices and people living in marginalized conditions. Thomason serves as the president and CEO of Health Forward Foundation, an independent purpose-led foundation with assets just under $1 billion serving urban, suburban, and rural communities in the Kansas City region.

Thomason is leading the foundation through a myriad of transformational pursuits spanning its leadership, advocacy, and resources. “Every day we work to build and support inclusive, powerful, and healthy communities characterized by racial equity and economically just systems.” She has led Health Forward to operationalize racial equity and economic inclusion in all areas of the foundation, including governance, grantmaking, policy and advocacy, investments, human resources, and procurement.

Thomason came to Health Forward from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, where she formerly served as vice president of population health and community health. During her tenure at Blue KC, she led development and implementation of new care delivery and payment models, to include building innovative payment models for social care, in partnership with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and primary care providers throughout Kansas City. She was also a successful champion for including health equity and the social influencers of health in Blue KC’s corporate strategy.

Thomason also spent eight years at Swope Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, as program manager of a regional Mental Health Court and as the director of clinical operations, behavioral health. Qiana also served as deputy director and health and human services liaison for the late United States Senator Jean Carnahan.

She received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from her beloved Florida A&M University and has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas. In 2023 she was bestowed an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Kansas City University, the sixth largest medical school in the nation.

Proudly, Qiana shares that her real “gig” is chief encourager, often in no uncertain terms within the Thomason home and among family. Her most cherished roles are wife, mother (of two phenomenal daughters), sister, and daughter.

DAVID YOUNG

David is the U.S. Ambassador to Malawi. He heads the U.S. Embassy in the southern African country, which has more than 350 staff and promotes U.S. interests and programs focused on democracy and good governance, economic growth and trade, and health and education. He is a career Foreign Service Officer who has worked for the U.S. Department of State since 1989. He previously served in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa, including assignments in Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Vietnam, Guatemala and Panama. He also served in the State Department Operations Center, the Office of International Religious Freedom, and the Office of the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan. 

Over the past ten years David has helped lead U.S. embassies in African countries. In Zambia, he helped support a peaceful transition of power following the recent presidential election. He also helped gain the release from prison of LGBTQ+ persons and supported the life-saving work of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. In Nigeria he helped support religious freedom and mediation of interfaith conflicts, and he organized movement of internally displaced persons from areas affected by violence and terrorism. In South Africa he promoted trade and investment with U.S. companies.

David is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church and has served in volunteer roles in churches around the world as he and his family moved to different countries. Prior to overseas postings, he volunteered as a Big Brother (in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program) while living in the D.C. area.

David is married to Diane Weisz Young, and they are proud parents of Paul (27) and Sarah (25). He is a die-hard fan of Patrick Mahomes and the KC Chiefs, as well as his alma mater Missouri Tigers. David was a clear choice for this Award!

BARTON EDGERTON

Bart exudes mentoring and leadership skills, highlighted by the various positions he holds, or has held, throughout his work and volunteer experiences. From being taught to teaching, Bart has had a positive impact on people’s lives. After losing his brother, Andy, Center class of 1996, Bart made a commitment to support a cure for pancreatic cancer as an active volunteer. His current position at Ernst and Young is in, you guessed it, leadership and serves as an Associate Director, Center for Board Matters, Americas. He is on the advisory board of the Sorkin Center, which works to improve the work of not-for-profit boards.

Bart’s other work experience has been with the National Association of Corporate Directors, where he served as Associate Director in the Governance Analytics and Products area. He led the product innovation, consulting/advisory content and data-based insight teams to come up with innovative solutions for more than 22,000 US-based corporate directors and their boards for their most pressing challenges. Bart holds a BA from Colgate University, a PhD from the London School of Economics, and for several years was an adjunct faculty member of the Tufts University political science department. His numerous other experiences, articles/blogs he’s written, and various volunteer offerings made it easy to select Bart for this Award.

JOE CARR (2000)

Joe is an entrepreneur and advocate for children. He started his own nonprofit, Growin’ Together Hands-On Afterschool and Summer Program teaching social skills, communication, cooperation, and hands-on learning to kids ages 5-14, including many children with special needs. He also founded AspiePower.com, an educational and coaching resource to help autistic people and their families harness the gifts of their autism.

In 2016, he and his wife Serenity, founded Serenity Kids Baby Food, which creates foods for babies that are low in sugar and high in healthy fats, made from pasture raised meats and organic vegetables.

MARK GARRETT (1985)

Mark Garrett is the Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC). He is responsible for all human resources functions including talent acquisition and development, employee relations, total rewards, facilities and real estate, diversity and inclusion and community investments. Mark has held senior leadership positions in operations and human resources at Smithfield Foods, Kansas City Public School District and Hallmark Cards. Prior to joining Blue KC, he served as the Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer at Smithfield, where he led talent acquisition, employee development, diversity and employee engagement.

Mark is dedicated to serving the Kansas City community. He is the board Chair of Phoenix Family Housing, an organization that empowers people living in low-income housing communities to gain stability and achieve self-sufficiency. Mark is also the board Chair-Elect for the Rose Brooks Center.

ESE IGHEDOSA, J.D. (2005)

Ese is an attorney who has built a stellar career in and around professional sports, especially the NFL. As a black woman, she has made significant inroads in the white male dominated world of sports executives. While at the NFL, Ese helped start the Black Engagement Network (BEN), providing support and resources for black professionals working in pro sports in a variety of roles. In May 2020 Ese founded House of Athlete, a Florida based company focusing on wellness, performance, and social involvement for high level athletes. She continues her roles in promoting diversity in the ranks of sports executives as a founding Advisory Committee member of the Pro Sports Assembly, a national organization of executives committed to diversity, equity, and social responsibility for professional sports organizations.

DR. MARK KAHLER (1970)

MARK has impacted the health care infrastructure in Kansas City as a co-founder of one of the largest family care practices in the metro area, College Park Family Care. With over 90 physicians, the practice has provided compassionate and effective care for multiple generations of families. Dr. Kahler received his medical degree from the University of Missouri with further training at Baptist Medical Center. In 1980 Dr. Kahler, along with one partner, founded College Park, pioneering the concept of a large practice focused on family medical care. In addition to serving thousands of families, Dr. Kahler and the staff at College Park have devoted countless hours of service in international health missions. Living his faith through medical service is a hallmark of Mark's career and life.

CAROL DIRAIMO (1979)

Carol has served as a Board Advisor to Hawaiian Bros since July 2021, and was officially appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2023, where she serves as chair of the Audit Committee. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors of Qdoba Restaurant Corporation, serving as Chair of its Audit Committee from October 2020 until the company was acquired in October 2022. 

In addition to her corporate work, DiRaimo currently serves on the Trulaske College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Missouri, where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in accounting and has an endowed scholarship supporting women from the Kansas City area. She previously served on the Board of Trustees of Rockhurst University, where she earned an Executive MBA, from 2010 until 2019. From 2006 to 2011, Carol served on the Board of Directors of the National Investor Relations Institute. 

She also currently serves on the Advisory Board of Gleam Network, a non-profit dedicated to providing mentorship and leadership development in the foodservice industry. She graduated from Center High School in 1979, and volunteers for Lead to Read at Center Elementary. 

Carol has received numerous awards, including being named to the IR Magazine Hall of Fame in 2024 and receiving its lifetime achievement award in 2020. IR Magazine honored Carol six times as Best Investor Relations Officer in the U.S. for a small- to mid-cap company. Institutional Investor named Carol to its All-America Executive Team 12 times, ranking her as the Best Investor Relations Officer by the sell-side for six consecutive years (2013 – 2018) as well as the Best Investor Relations Officer by the buy-side in 2016 and 2017.

DR. WILLIAM BASKET (1964)

William is a leading physician, researcher, and clinical professor of medicine at the University of Illinois, Rockford Campus. After receiving his medical degree with honors from the University of Missouri, he practiced as a Gastroenterologist for many years in Rockford, Illinois, leading a flourishing medical practice. He has taught at the University of Illinois since 1983, receiving numerous awards for teaching from both faculty and student groups. He has participated in numerous research studies in the field of gastroenterology, with a long list of publications to his credit.

TOM APEL (1972)

August 2, 1954 - August 7, 2019

Tom Apel, a member of the Center class of 1972, shared the gifts of love for and service to others throughout his life. Tragically, Tom was killed in an automobile accident last August. We share the Distinguished Alumni award with his wife and children in tribute to Tom’s life and the impact he had on our community.

After his graduation from Center, Tom attended UMKC and the University of Missouri. He completed his accounting degree at Mizzou where he became a life-long fan (as in “fanatic”) of the athletic program. His professional career as a corporate tax accountant included jobs at Arthur Young & Co. , Interstate Brands Corporation, Embarq, and Wireco World Group. Tom tackled everything in his life with enthusiasm, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. He was involved in Christian Business Men, Chairman of Gracious Promise, Share the Hope Prison ministry, Trustee and Sunday School teacher at Heartland Community Church, Center High School Foundation Board member and Treasurer, member of the Center Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee, and Tax Executives past president.

As a Center Education Foundation Board member, Tom made a significant impact as Treasurer, and member of the Autos & Auctions planning committee (specializing in the acquisition of sports memorabilia for the auction). Tom loved the annual Prize Patrol where grant checks are presented to classroom teachers throughout the District. His smiling face and hearty laugh were well-known and appreciated by all the recipients.

Tom had a passion for helping Center alumni connect with each other. He attended countless alumni gatherings and reunions, often bringing heavy boxes of yearbooks, newspapers, and photos from the Center Museum to share. As a member of the selection committee for the Center Athletic Hall of Fame, Tom did extensive research on Center athletes over the years. He compiled a spreadsheet (he was an accountant, after all) detailing records and recognitions that will provide Center with a steady stream of great individuals to recognize in the years to come.

His work with the Gracious Promise prison ministry touched more lives than we will ever know. The purpose of the ministry is to help people released from prison to begin a new, productive life. Tom got calls day and night from people needing help. Tom was ready to serve. He loved them all. Every Saturday morning at Homer’s, Tom joined others for Share the Hope. It is a place where ex-offenders can find fellowship and encouragement. It was a bright spot in Tom’s week.

Tom shared a wonderful 26-year marriage to his wife Jeannie. Together they raised three children, Laura, Caroline, and Brett, who are living Tom’s lessons of putting others first, working hard, and striving for excellence in everything they do.

Tom Apel was a unique and special individual who epitomizes what it means to be a Distinguished Alumni of the Center School District. We look forward to sharing this recognition with Jeannie and the kids on February 29th at Autos & Auctions.

LORI BORGMAN (1972)

Lori Borgman is a syndicated newspaper columnist, author, and speaker. Her family humor newspaper column covers a wide array of topics ranging from the myth that women nag to the hazards of upper arm flab. Her column is distributed by Tribune News Service throughout the United States and Canada.

Lori is the author of seven books including her most recent, “What Happens at Grandma’s Stays at Grandma’s.” Lori counts two of her greatest privileges to include addressing a Spouses of Congress event at the U.S. Capitol and giving the commencement address to college graduates at the Indiana Women’s Prison. Lori began attending Boone Elementary in fourth grade where she held the girls record for pushups (45 in 54 seconds!). She still has the metal. She attended Center South Junior High and graduated Center High School in 1972.

Lori and her husband, Charlie Nye, a retired journalist, both attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism and met in the darkroom -- to see what “would develop.” They live in Indianapolis and are the parents of three grown and married children and grandparents of 11.

PATRICK CAFFREY, PH.D (1973)

On December 14,1972 and during my senior year, I broke my neck at wrestling practice and was taken away by ambulance. For the next 5-months I was an inpatient at Research Medical Center. Initially, quadriplegic, I was able to recover well enough to walk, drive a car and function independently. Although the motor function on the right side of my body returned, the left side remained permanently partially weak and/or paralyzed. Center High School provided a tutor, Ms. Sarah Harvey. She came to my bedside and taught me the curriculum I needed to graduate. 

 I completed a BS in Psychology (with emphasis in Rehabilitation) from the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in 1977 and MS in Psychology also from UCM in 1978 and later, became licensed as a Psychologist. In 1985, I completed the requirements for a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in Vocational Education for the Handicapped. I devoted my 46-year career serving the disabled as a rehabilitation psychologist and neuropsychologist and in addition to a private practice, was on staff at several local hospitals. Giving back to the community included volunteer work as an in-service trainer, member of the Speaker’s Bureau Arthritis Foundation, visiting lecturer at the KU School of Physical Therapy, Advisory Board Member at the National Rehabilitation Information Center in Washington, D.C., Clinical Advisory Board Member. MS Society, Mid America Chapter, and Chairperson, Governor’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, Columbia, MO.

Recently retired, I live with my devoted wife Julianna in Olathe, KS. We have two daughters.

DR. STEPHEN SMALLEY (1973)

Dr. Smalley is a renowned Radiation Oncologist who has practiced medicine since his graduation from the UMKC School of Medicine in 1979. He did his internship and residency at the Mayo Clinic before returning to Kansas City in 1986 to practice, teach, and engage in research at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He is currently a Clinical Professor at KU and continues to practice in the Kansas City area.

DR. STEVEN CURRALL (1977)

Steven C. Currall served as the seventh president of the University of South Florida (USF). During his presidency, USF successfully consolidated three campuses into a single-accredited university, broke into the top 50 among public universities on U.S. News and World Report’s rankings for the first time, and raised approximately $230 million in philanthropic support.  He is currently a tenured Professor at USF and a Research Associate at Harvard University’s Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Prior to his role at USF, Currall was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Southern Methodist University.  At the University of California, Davis, Currall served as senior adviser to the chancellor for strategic projects and initiatives, and as dean of the Graduate School of Management. At University College London, Currall was the founding chair of the Department of Management Science and Innovation in the Faculty (School) of Engineering Sciences. Currall served in several roles at Rice University, including the William and Stephanie Sick Professorship of Entrepreneurship and as a tenured faculty member in the Jones Graduate School of Management. Currall is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (United Kingdom). 

He published a book on university-business-government collaboration entitled, Organized Innovation: A Blueprint for Renewing America’s Prosperity (Oxford University Press). He earned a PhD in organizational behavior from Cornell University, a master’s degree in social psychology from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Baylor University.

JOHN CASSIDY (1951)

John is the founder of the Winter Sports Program for Special Olympics of Kansas. As President of the Kansas City Ski Club, John got involved with the fledging Winter Sports Program in 1984. It became his passion. Working with volunteers and staff from the Ski Club and Special Olympics Kansas, John created the program that has been named in his honor, the John L Cassidy Heartland Winter Games. The competition includes over 350 athletes each year competing in Alpine and Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoe Racing, Speed & Figure Skating and Floor Hockey at venues including Snow Creek in Weston, MO.

BOB BELTZ (1968)

Bob is a minister, teacher, author and film producer. He is the President of the Telos Project non-profit. Bob was founder and then Teaching Pastor of Cherry Hills Community Church in Denver, Senior Pastor of High Street Community Church in Santa Cruz, California, and Senior and Emeritus Pastor of Highline Community Church in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Bob joined the Anschutz Corporation of Denver, Colorado as a special advisor to Philip Anschutz, Chairman of the Board. In this role Bob helped develop, produce, and market films for the Anschutz Film Group, parent company of Walden Media (Holes, Because of Winn-Dixie, Around the World in 80 Days, I Am David, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) and Bristol Bay Productions (Ray, Sahara). Bob was the co-producer of Crusader Entertainment's film Joshua, based on Joseph Girzone's best-selling novel, and helped develop and produce Amazing Grace: the William Wilberforce Story. He served as Associate Producer of The Bible Series on the History Channel, A.D. The Bible Continues on NBC, and the movie Son of God.  Bob is the author of eighteen books and continues his work teaching, consulting, and writing.

JOHN KENNETH ADAMS (1952)

December 11, 1934 - April 29, 2018

John is a world renowned concert pianist and music professor. After graduation from Center, he received his bachelors degree from UMKC, his masters from Yale University followed by his appointment as a Fulbright Scholar and three years of study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has been a professor of music for over 50 years at the University of Texas and the University of South Carolina. He has performed in 22 countries worldwide and was recently named as a Steinway Artist.

TODD DICUS (1972)

In 1993 Todd began working for the American Academy of Family Physicians, one of the largest medical associations, with over 120,000 members, a budget of nearly $100 million, and a staff of over 400. After serving as the AAFP’s General Counsel for eight years, Todd was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Vice President. In that role, he was responsible for development and implementation of operational strategy, including oversight of budgetary, information technology, human resources, legal and compliance functions. Prior to his AAFP career, Todd practiced law in Kansas City. After 28 years at the AAFP, Todd retired in 2021 and was named an honorary AAFP member. A resident of Leawood, he serves as the Chair of the city’s Bike/Walk Committee. Todd received his undergraduate degree at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and his law degree from UMKC.

GARY NEAL JOHNSON (1968)

Gary Neal Johnson has been a significant part of Kansas City’s professional theater community for over 50 years, appearing in more than 225 plays throughout the city (and country) since 1973. Most notably, he has appeared in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s signature production of A Christmas Carol since 1982, and he has played the leading role of Ebenezer Scrooge from year 2000 to the present. In addition to the KC Rep, where he has appeared in nearly 120 productions,Gary has performed in multiple plays at The Starlight Theater, Kansas City Actors’ Theatre, The New Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, The Unicorn, among others, and he has narrated productions for the KC Ballet and the KC Symphony. He is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, the two national actors’ unions.

He performed the role of King Lear as the understudy to Stacy Keach at both the Goodman theatre in Chicago and The Shakespeare Company in D.C. At Starlight Theater he has played The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz (multiple times,) and FDR in Annie. At the White Theater, he played Harry Truman to Ed Asner’s Eddie Jacobson in the play, Eddie and Harry. In San Francisco, Gary was honored with the 2006 Dean Goodman Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the premiere of David Mamet’sadaptation of The Voysey Inheritance. He is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association (AEA). He and his wife, Lynne Beachner, have raised a lot of tomatoes and two boys, Drew and Ben, at their north Overland Park home.”

JON COOK (1989)

As the CEO of Kansas City based advertising agency VMLY&R, Jon has led the company to significant international growth. During Jon's tenure at VMLY&R, the company has grown from 30 employees in Kansas City to over 13,000 spread over 100 locations.

STEVEN KOLTAI (1972)

As a social entrepreneur, Steven has done pioneering work in using entrepreneurial practices to help low income communities in the US and abroad to dramatically improve their circumstances.

BEN SCHAFER (1989)

Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F. SEI is the Hackerman Professor of Civil and Systems Engineering and the Director of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He is an active volunteer and leader on multiple national committees related to the engineering and design of steel building structures. He has won multiple awards for his research, teaching, and speaking and currently resides in Washington D.C. with his wife and son.

JEROME PEARSON (1956)

April 19, 1938 to January 27, 2021

Jerome Pearson was President of STAR, Inc., a small business in South Carolina that has developed aircraft and spacecraft designs for NASA and DOD. After working space vehicle dynamics at NASA, he developed and ran an Air Force test facility for the National AeroSpace Plane. He is internationally known for inventing Earth and Moon space elevators, Earth climate control, explaining negative SETI results, and the EDDE propellantless spacecraft. Author of over 100 publications and invited articles for Encyclopaedia Britannica and New Scientist, he is Associate Fellow of AIAA, Fellow of BIS, and Member of the International Academy of Astronautics.

JUDGE LISA HARDWICK (1978)

Since 2001, Lisa White Hardwick has served as a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District. In addition to her board involvement with the NACD Heartland Chapter, she currently serves on the boards of directors for the Truman Library Institute, St. Luke’s Hospital, the Kansas City Crime Commission, the Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, and the Center School District Educational Foundation.

She is president of the Foundation for Delta Educational and Economic Development (DEED), as well as property manager of its historic venue, the Delta Athenaeum. Committed to matters of equity and justice, she co-chairs the Missouri Supreme Court Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts.

Judge Hardwick has 35 years of experience in the legal profession and service to Kansas City’s civic and nonprofit community. Before her appointment to the appellate bench, she was a trial court judge on the Jackson County Circuit Court and practiced law as a partner in the Shook Hardy & Bacon law firm. As an elected official, she served two terms as an at-large representative on the Jackson County Legislature. Her previous board memberships include Rockhurst High School, Swope Community Health Center, the Community Blood Center, and the Niles Home for Children.

As a native of Kansas City, Judge Hardwick attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School.

JULIE MATTSON (1966)

January 2, 1948 - December 7, 2012

Julie Mattson grew up in the Center District and graduated in 1966. She Taught PE in the Hickman Mills School District and later at University Academy Charter School.

Julie served as a volunteer with the PTA at Boone Elementary and Center Middle where she helped with Career Day and CHS with Project Grad. In addition she was president and volunteer of the Center Booster Club with her husband Larry. She was on the Center School Board for a number of years and was an advocate for kids and sports. She and her husband are in the Center Hall of Fame.

DR. CINDY FREWEN WUELLNER (1974)

Architect and Futurist focused on the future of urban living

DR. LOREN BERENBOM (1971)

Cardiac Electrophysiologist, pioneer in treating heart rhythm disease