As Chairman and CEO of Burns & McDonnell, Greg Graves led one of the fastest-growing and most successful engineering, architecture, construction and environmental consulting firms in North America. Greg began his career at Burns & McDonnell in 1980, fresh out of college. Twenty-two years later, at the age of just 43, he was named the sixth CEO in the firm’s 104 year history.

In Greg’s 13 years as CEO, Burns & McDonnell flourished:

• Employment grew from 1500 to 6300…all organically.
• Revenues grew from $300M to $3B.
• An average ROI of above 25%…over 13 years!
• Fortune Magazine’s Top 100 Best Places to Work six times….14th in 2014.
• Kansas City’s Best Place to Work six times in a row.
• Corporate Foundation grew 1000%.
• Kansas Citian of the Year 2015.
• Midwest’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2014
• Kansas City Philanthropist of the Year (along with Deanna)…2013.

Perhaps no one in Kansas City over those 13 years led the civic charge harder. Greg chaired the Boards of Starlight Theater, University of Kansas Health System (thru the first two years of Covid), Kansas City Area Development Corporation, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Greg’s biggest civic achievement was the Chamber’s adoption of the Big 5 Initiatives making greater KC and a better place to work, start a company and raise a family. Greg still serves on the Boards of Barstow School, the University of Kansas Health System and is the Lead Director of UMBF…Kansas City’s biggest bank.

When it comes to philanthropy, Greg believes doing more isn’t an option, it’s a duty. Greg along with his secret weapon and wife Deanna have helped raise over $250M for not-for profit endeavors all across town. And, now they are taking on the challenge of a lifetime….the 10-year$2.5B University of Kansas Endowment Campaign.

Greg’s favorite retirement projects have been the development of a 700 acre ranch property near Drexel, Missouri along with its’ signature feature…the 65 acre Lake Deanna and becoming a best-selling author.

His book ‘Create Amazing’ promotes employee ownership in America and internationally. It is an Amazon best seller, has sold over 10,000 copies and was a finalist for the 2021 International Business Book of the Year. In 2023 ‘Create Amazing’ was just awarded 2nd prize in the Rutgers School of Business Joyce Rothschild Book Prize. Greg has already keynoted three conferences with reference to his research and writings.