Mike Guilfoyle’s Post

A true #Gent in the #CropInsurance world.

Beautiful to the core. Powerful. So many ways to apply this in life and business.

I had to repost again, Rob's original post got me to watch Steve's speech, which then led to to look Steve up more where I found a show on Amazon Prime about Steve Gleason. If you haven’t seen Steve Gleason's acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs, I urge you to put down everything you are doing and listen for a few minutes. His words on courage, fear, fearlessness, and resilience are truly inspiring. They left a profound impact on me, and I believe they will do the same for you. Steve Gleason, a former NFL player, and New Orleans hero, was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 34. Doctors gave him two to five years to live. Instead of succumbing to fear or despair, Steve chose to live his life to the fullest. His journey is captured in the Amazon Prime show "Gleason," which I highly recommend. This incredible man documented his experiences through personal video journals for his then-unborn son and shared his adventures and mission to live fully despite his diagnosis. His story is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and his character, fortitude, and resilience are truly inspiring. Steve Gleason's journey reminds us that true courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to move forward despite it. It is about embracing life with all its challenges and choosing to make every moment count. His mindset and resilience are a beacon of hope and strength for all of us. In a world where we often face our own battles, Steve's story encourages us to look within and find the strength to persevere. It’s a powerful reminder that we can overcome adversity with the right mindset and a resilient spirit. Let Steve Gleason's story inspire you to live boldly, to face your fears head-on, and to never let anything hold you back from living a life full of purpose and passion. As Rob Pallante said, "The word 'courage' doesn't do him justice." Watch his speech, watch the show, and let his journey inspire you to cultivate a champion mindset. Embrace resilience, build character, and live life to its fullest potential. #ChampionMindset #SteveGleason #Inspiration #Resilience #Courage #MindsetMatters #LiveBoldly

perspective is incredibly powerful and humbling.

What an incredible message about facing fear head on and how we can all work to be more courageous by being vulnerable enough to work together to find solutions. This can be applied to all areas of life. If you are a leader I ask you this: Are you courageous enough to be vulnerable so that you can truly serve those who follow you? People often put leaders on a pedestal. It’s a natural thing to do when you respect someone. However, it often overshadows the many failures that the leader has overcome to get them to their current point in life. Leaders, you have a DUTY to be vulnerable with those that deserve it, but especially with your direct followers. Help them grow from your past struggles and subsequent lessons. Share your wisdom. Share your passion. LEAD the way!

Raymond Malone, Chairman Fairness in Construction Board 414 E 12th Street, 4th Floor East Kansas City, Missouri 64106 [email protected] April 16, 2024 Quinton Lucas, Mayor City Council, All Districts Cc: Brian Platt, City Manager Cc:Jaime Guillen, CREO Director City of Kansas City, Missouri City Hall, 29th Floor (Mayor) City Hall, 22nd Floor (City Council) Kansas City, Missouri 64106 Honorable Mayor and City Councilpersons, Our past letters and messages to you to date have gone unanswered, therefore I’m forced to write this letter to informed you of our very real concerns. As the appointed Chair of the Fairness in Construction Board, who has always strived for excellence and professionalism, I find it necessary to address these issues in the hope of fostering a more inclusive and equitable contracting environment. As a reminder, the Fairness in Construction Board was created to address and remediate unfair public procurement procedures in both city funded and assisted projects, including tax incentivized projects. Particularly, the Fairness in Construction Board addresses disparities and exclusion of available and qualified socioeconomically disadvantaged businesses on publicly funded and assisted contracts. Through the implementation of the Fairness in Construction Board (“Board”), we have created a more competitive and fair environment for all. This is achieved through the collaborative process of the members of the Board. Being comprised of collective bargaining organizations, majority owned businesses, minority and woman owned businesses, construction business organizations, professional construction services organizations, and community input has created a partnership that promotes equal access, opportunity and protection of the laws of the city, state and federal government in public procurement. The strength of the Board has been transparency in data collection and reporting from the City’s Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department. After repeated requests, the Board has been denied access to reports, administrative support and monitoring of city-funded and assisted contracts, including tax-incentivized projects (such as the Meta data-center project and more recently the Google data-center project). This has caused an increase in complaints of discriminatory activity in public procurement processes, on construction projects and reports of economic abuse of small and disadvantaged businesses on taxpayer funded projects. Over the past several decades, I have encountered numerous instances of discrimination based on race, color, sex and national origin in construction and its contracting procedures. These instances have ranged from subtle biases to outright discriminatory actions. A few examples of why Prime contractors need to be monitored. Especially JE Dunn, Turner Construction and McCownGordon in Kansas City Missouri our Disparity report displays discrimination. Mayor ignores Kcmo Fairness Board.

It takes just one or two simple changes for success to come your way.

Discover pivotal changes unveiled in King Charles III's inaugural speech, shaping the future of the property sector. From Renters (Reform) Bill updates to Leasehold intricacies and a steadfast Net Zero commitment, our blog provides a thorough analysis. Stay informed and ahead of the curve. Read more here >> https://bit.ly/47s2LAu #PropertyInsights #KingCharlesIII #landlord #property #tenant #CheltonBrown #Northants #buytolet #lettings

Discover pivotal changes unveiled in King Charles III's inaugural speech, shaping the future of the property sector. From Renters (Reform) Bill updates to Leasehold intricacies and a steadfast Net Zero commitment, our blog provides a thorough analysis. Stay informed and ahead of the curve. Read more here >> https://bit.ly/47s2LAu #PropertyInsights #KingCharlesIII #landlord #property #tenant #CheltonBrown #Northants #buytolet #lettings

Raymond Malone, Fairness and Construction Board, 414 E 12th Street, 4th Floor East Kcmo. ( LETTER BEING IGNORED) (PART II) April 16, 2024 Quinton Lucas, Mayor City Council, All Districts Cc: Brian Platt, City Manager Cc:Jaime Guillen, CREO Director City of Kansas City, Missouri City Hall, 29th (Mayor) Kansas City, Missouri 64106 Honorable Mayor and City Councilpersons, These illegal and unethical practices have also dissuaded business retention, growth and success for not only disadvantaged businesses but also majority owned businesses. As from the day the Fairness in Construction Board was established, passive participation in race, color, national origin and sex-based discrimination by our local government have re-emerged and has had a ripple effect within the construction community resulting in abusive procurement, oppressive fiscal policies and procedures.   These divisive tactics are a direct result of the de factosilencing of the Fairness in Construction Board.  The Board has been deprived of decades-long basic monitoring and reporting as required by City Code, Section 3-463(11).  Specifically, the lack of transparency by the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department Director and the Mayor’s office has adversely affected the Fairness in Construction Board’s ability to perform our duties effectively and enjoy a positive, inclusive atmosphere. Specific Concerns: 1. The Department lacks the basic operational ability to answer telephones and respond to messages, return calls or follow up when information is requested. Although the board has requested organizational information, including a Department organizational chart with contact numbers, roles and responsibilities information, none has been provided.   2. The Disparity Study remains a concern. To date we have received misleading or false information concerning the status of the study. We now have been informed that the solicitation was opened back up recently without any explanation. As you are aware, the MBE/WBE Program depends on a current and accurate study.   3. There have been multiple resolutions that are being considered by council that would        directly affect the MBE/WBE ordinance (PNW, Size Stds, etc.) We were not made aware of these resolutions by the Department and when asked the Department staff seems to have little or no information.   4. The unequal treatment in city-funded and assisted construction projects and procurement procedures and the opportunities for certified, small disadvantaged firms particularly in the city departments and EDCKC-led projects. Specifically lack of uniform reporting and enforcement on city andincentivized projects.   5. Reports of hostile work environments on construction projects and failure of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department to respond and investigate pursuant to the duties under City Code, Chapter 3, Article IV and Chapter 38. Including the lack of investigation into abusive treatment and payment violations.