Jerry Reece and Kent Sunderland bring ‘wealth of knowledge,’ board chair says

The University of Missouri-Kansas City Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Kansas City area civic and business leaders Jerry Reece and Kent Sunderland to the foundation board.

Both long-time, generous supporters of UMKC, Reece and Sunderland were elected to the board in March. The 16-member board oversees the foundation, which was launched in 2009 as an independent, nonprofit organization that serves as the official fundraising and fund management organization for UMKC.

“Jerry and Kent bring a wealth of knowledge in real estate and investment strategy and more,” said Betsey Solberg, board chair. “Both are heavily involved in this community and we are fortunate that they are willing to give more of their time to the UMKC Foundation.”

Reece, chairman emeritus of Reece & Nichols, and his wife, Patricia, have been active supporters of UMKC and the School of Education. Reece serves as a UMKC Trustee and is a member of the campaign leadership committee.

“I’m honored to be on this board,” Reece said. “I think the university is Kansas City’s university, and very important to all of us. I’m just thrilled to be able to try to make some difference as we go forward. I look forward to interacting with the board in the future.”

Sunderland, vice chairman and secretary with Ash Grove Cement Company, one of the five largest cement producers in the United States, is also a UMKC Trustee.

“I’m more than happy to be serving on the UMKC Foundation board,” said Sunderland, who is also president of the Sunderland Foundation. “UMKC is the great urban university for the city of Kansas City. I have a lot of interest in seeing it continuing to succeed. By being on the foundation board I can help UMKC achieve some of its long-term goals.”