UMKC Entrepreneur of the Year: How Populous designed a legacy, built to go global
November 22, 2024 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Kansas City-built design firm Populous brought to reality more than just great venues, Tom Bloch shared; it developed great experiences for a worldwide audience.
Dennis Wellner, Populous, speaks on behalf the Populous founding team after being honored with the Henry W. Bloch International Entrepreneur of the Year award; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“From its start here in Kansas City as HOK Sport in 1983 until now, Populous has set an unmatched standard for stadiums, convention centers, and event spaces,” Bloch told the crowd Thursday night at the 38th University of Missouri-Kansas City Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. “This team has mastered the art of design in a way that goes beyond architecture and engineering, they create places where people come together and make memories that last a lifetime.”
The founders of Populous — represented by Chris Carver, Ron Labinski (posthumously), Earl Santee, Joe Spear, and Dennis Wellner — received the Henry W. Bloch International Entrepreneurs of the Year award at the event and were inducted into UMKC’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
Winners of this global impact award have not only built a company but have transformed their industry and significantly contributed to the economic and cultural development of many throughout the world, according to the university.
“I don’t think we envisioned this,” said Wellner, who spoke on behalf of the founders, including Lee Labinski, who represented her late husband. “I don’t think it was a goal, objective, or anything else. But seeing what has been reflected about us and our clients is tremendously rewarding.”
Click here to explore Populous’ portfolio of work across the globe.
Also during the event, McCownGordon Construction co-founders Pat McCown and Brett Gordon were named the Kansas City Entrepreneurs of the Year and inducted into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame; Pawsperity founder and CEO Natasha Herdman received the Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship; and Grace Kertz was named the Student Entrepreneur of the Year.
“All of our honorees embody an inspiring combination of creativity, resilience, and impact,” explained Brian Klaas, dean of the Bloch school at UMKC. “Populous is transforming how the world experiences sport and entertainment. McCownGordon Construction has built some of Kansas City’s most iconic spaces, and Natasha Herdman of Pawperity is creating life-changing experiences for program participants. These are ventures that are shaping lives and transforming communities.”
Bloch Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Inductees; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
UMKC Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal speaks during the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at Copaken Stage at H&R Block World Headquarters; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“Each one of them demonstrates the power of translating vision into reality, no matter the challenges,” added UMKC Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal.
Populous — with 30 offices globally — is known for its hand in creating iconic spaces like the Las Vegas Sphere, London’s Wembley Stadium, Lusail Stadium in Qatar, plus, locally, Children’s Mercy Park and the modernizations of Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums.
“The team has redefined how fans feel, see, and connect within these spaces,” noted Tom Bloch, son of Henry Bloch and former CEO of H&R Block. “They make sure that every detail — from sight lines to soundscapes — enriches the experience, pulling people together in ways that resonate long after the event is over. It’s a commitment to innovation and it’s a commitment to excellence.”
When the founders started, Wellner said, they shared backgrounds in architecture and an idea for what interested them most.
“So how do you bring architecture to what many considered just structural solutions to hosting sporting events?” he continued. “We wanted to bring more to it than that. Joe (Spear) had done a minor league ballpark facility in Buffalo, New York, and sort of set the tone for how we might look at these buildings, from circular multi-purpose stadiums to something that was more unique.”
Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs; image courtesy of Populous
Populous and its predecessors have long been involved with architecture at Arrowhead Stadium, going back to the original construction of the stadium in 1972, shared Clark Hunt — chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs — in a video tribute to the design firm. His father — Lamar Hunt, the late Chiefs owner — had a special relationship with Populous co-founder Ron Labinski.
“Back in the late 1960s when the process started for the construction of Arrowhead, my dad had a real specific vision for what he was looking for,” Clark Hunt explained. “First of all, it would be a football-only stadium, which was one of the first in that regard. But he wanted a place that would be special from an architectural standpoint and also from a fan experience standpoint and Ron was really able to bring that vision to life.”
“So it was only natural that when we got to the major renovation of the stadium, that we would select Populous,” he added.
Click here to learn more about Populous’ role in the 2010 Arrowhead renovation.
Members of the Populous founding team are honored with the Henry W. Bloch International Entrepreneur of the Year award during the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at Copaken Stage at H&R Block World Headquarters; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
For the Populous co-founders, it was always about the work, noted Wellner, known for his design of NFL stadiums.
“It was always about showing up every day and doing your best,” he said. “And over time, I think that continued to drive us through all of the projects we did.”
Click here to see examples of Populous’ work with NFL stadiums.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Couple with tech, startup background embraces risk-taking as new Pitch owners
Local ownership of The Pitch will preserve the Kansas City alternative news publication’s voice, as well as expanding digital content for readers, and promotions and services for advertisers, Stephanie Carey said. “I love the independent voice. I love the fact that we can push those boundaries, push the envelope on stories, dig a little deeper,”…
Cultural differences contribute to entrepreneur access gap, Porter House founder says
Early education about entrepreneurism and the resources available aren’t typically priorities in low- to moderate-income communities, said Daniel Smith. “A lack of access results because we don’t really have a lot of programs in our communities that focus on small business and entrepreneurism,” said Smith, founder of The Porter House KC. “It’s more focused on…
Missouri, Airbnb announce revenue-sharing state sales tax deal
As Kansas City wrangles with its own short-term rental rules, Airbnb and the Show Me State announced an agreement Wednesday that will allow the home-sharing giant to collect and remit taxes on behalf of 6,300 Missouri hosts. Effective Feb. 1, the tax agreement with the Missouri Department of Revenue adds a state sales tax — now…
FEWDM drops high-tech fitness devices, pivots to workout apparel
Not every promising startup venture can keep the ball moving toward the end zone. It’s a lesson FEWDM founder Tommy Saunders says he’s blessed to have learned — despite the bittersweet turn for the former Detroit Lions receiver’s company. “We have a strong brand that our customers connect with and have grown to love,” Saunders…