UG names Stephens to interim economic development director position

Jon Stephens

Jon Stephens, who is the founder of a Kansas City executive consulting firm, has been named the interim economic development director for the Unified Government.

According to a news release today, Stephens is joining the UG Economic Development Department after George Brajkovic left to become city manager of Tonganoxie.

Stephens is familiar with local businesses after having previously served as the interim executive director of the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce. He also served as interim president and CEO of Visit KC in Kansas City, Missouri.

He is the founder of Rockhill Strategic, with many years of experience in marketing, consulting and advertising. He is also a past president and a past director of marketing and public relations for the Kansas City Power and Light District with the Cordish Company.

“I’m very excited, there’s so much momentum, so much going on in KCK,” Stephens said. “I’m excited to return and work with the UG and work with citizens and business. “It’s an exciting time with development going on all over Kansas City, Kansas.”

Stephens specializes in executive change management, among other fields.

“With recent staff turnover, the timing was right to bring in a talented professional that understands the private sector development world, and Jon is a perfect fit,” County Administrator Doug Bach said in a news release. “He can provide strong leadership for my Economic Development Department now and great assistance and perspective to my management team. I am excited to bring him on board.”

Stephens is expected to begin his work as interim economic development director on April 13, and is expected to serve six months while there is a search for a new director of economic development.

Grand marshal for May 13 Kansas Speedway race to be ‘Larry the Cable Guy’

The most famous words in racing may get a twist when Larry the Cable Guy gives the order, “Drivers, Start Your Engines,” to begin the Go Bowling 400 on May 13 at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.

Larry returns to the big screen as the voice of Mater in Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3,” scheduled for release on June 16. He first lent his voice to the iconic character in the Golden-Globe®-winning feature film “Cars” (2006) and returned to the role for “Cars 2” (2011). Both movies opened No. 1 at the box office and combined have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.

Larry is a multiplatinum recording artist, Grammy nominee, Billboard award winner and one of the top comedians in the country. In addition to his own merchandise line and selling out theatres and arenas across the country, Larry, along with his wife Cara, created the Git-R-Done Foundation, which was named after his signature catchphrase, and has donated more than $7 million to various charities with an emphasis on children’s and veteran’s causes. For information, visitwww.gitrdonefoundation.org.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Larry the Cable Guy to Kansas Speedway for the Go Bowling 400,” Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren said in a news release. “Larry is not only a great comedian, but also an amazing philanthropist.”

“Larry the Cable Guy is a comedic icon who also shares a love for racing and bowling,” said Nancy Schenk, president of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America. “It’s an honor to have him as grand marshal for our race and we look forward to getting him out on our lanes at the Go Bowling Fan Experience Tent in the Midway.”

In addition to the “Cars” series, Larry’s film credits include “Jingle all the Way 2,” “A Madea Christmas,” “Tooth Fairy 2,” “Witless Protection,” “Delta Farce,” and his first feature “Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector.”

Larry, whose name is Daniel Lawrence Whitney, and Jeff Foxworthy are on a national tour, the “We’ve Been Thinking Tour.” The tour features all new material from both comedians and is available as a comedy special on Netflix. Larry, also, launched his own comedy channel “Jeff and Larry’s Comedy Roundup,” on SiriusXM. The channel is in partnership with SiriusXM and Jeff Foxworthy. It showcases the best in great American comedy, including this dynamic duo as well as their personal favorite comedians.

He is also a bestselling author and his book “Git-R-Done” (2005) debuted at No. 26 on the New York Times bestseller list. He was also named to Forbes Celebrity 100 list, which lists the hottest and most successful people in the entertainment industry, in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2012.

Go Bowling returns as the sponsor of the Go Bowling 400 for the second year. GoBowling.com is the destination for bowling fans and enthusiasts seeking news and information about one of America’s favorite pastimes. With more than 67 million people taking to the lanes every year, bowling is the nation’s number one participatory sport.

Racing returns to Kansas Speedway on Friday, May 12 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota Tundra 250, and Saturday, May 13 with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling 400 under the lights! In October, the Hollywood Casino 400 is an elimination race in the Monster Energy Series playoffs on Sunday, Oct. 22. The NASCAR XFINITY Series Kansas Lottery 300 will again be a part of the playoffs for the NASCAR XFINITY Series on Saturday, Oct. 21, while the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will wrap up their season on Friday, Oct. 20. Tickets are currently on sale by calling 866-460-RACE (7223) or online at www.kansasspeedway.com.

General parking is free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase a parking pass to park closer to the Speedway, and also VIP Tailgating options are available. Call 913.328.3391 for additional information.

Fans can follow Kansas Speedway on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/kansasspeedway or follow on Twitter (@kansasspeedway).

– Information from Kansas Speedway

Hollywood Casino revenues up in March

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway revenues were up in March, according to Kansas Lottery officials.

Hollywood Casino reported revenues of $13.46 million for March, said Keith Kocher, Kansas Lottery director of assurance and integrity, at the Kansas Lottery Commission meeting Wednesday.

That compares to $11.77 million in February, according to Kansas Lottery figures. The amount also was up compared to March of last year. Slots revenue was up 6.3 percent while table games revenue was down 7 percent.

In a written report to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, Hollywood Casino officials stated that the 4.4 percent increase over the previous March was attributed to special promotions for St. Patrick’s Day and the “Max Bet Mayhem Promotion.”

The Hollywood Casino also reported an influx at the casino from out-of-town visitors to the Big 12 basketball conference championship and the NCAA Sweet Sixteen regional tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Two other casinos, Boot Hill and Kansas Star, also increased revenues during March. Other casino revenue figures in Kansas included Boot Hill Casino, Dodge City, $3.6 million; Kansas Star Casino, Mulvane, $16.79 million; and Kansas Crossing Casino, Pittsburg, $556,389.

It was the first revenue report for the Kansas Crossing Casino, which opened during the last week of March, according to Kocher.

The new casino in Pittsburg, Kansas, held a controlled opening March 27, and then had a soft opening March 29-30, followed by an official opening March 31.

“It’s a handsome casino,” he said, adding he was pleased with the way it looks.

In other lottery news, lottery officials reported that sales of lottery tickets are about 7 percent behind sales from a year ago.

The Kansas Lottery is planning a Powerball 25th anniversary special promotion at the end of next week, with a free Powerball ticket given to anyone who purchases a Powerball ticket, for the first 25,000 tickets.

Lottery officials also reported that membership in the PlayOn player loyalty program is picking up.

According to Kansas Lottery officials, Mega Millions will change its ticket price from $1 to $2 on Oct. 28, similar to a change that Powerball made a year and a half ago.

The Lucky for Life game, launched last November, now has a second-prize winner from Olathe, Kansas, Darryl “D.J.” Hestand, according to lottery officials. He won $25,000 a year for life in a drawing on April 10.