Board Chair
Casey McBride
A Strong Start to 2026
Dear Shawnee Chamber Members,
I'm honored to step into the role of Board Chair for 2026. I want to start by thanking Don Chew for his leadership this past year. Don set a high bar, resulting in an outstanding year for Shawnee. Those are big shoes to fill, but I'm ready to build on that foundation.
Lanterns & Luck: A Night to Remember
If you were at our Annual Dinner in January, you know it was one for the books. Despite the cold and the snow, we had over 220 guests join us on January 24th. The Lanterns & Luck event raised funds for our Chamber scholarships while bringing our business community together. The energy in that room was electric.
I also want to extend sincere congratulations to Maureen Kronawitter on receiving the Heart of the Community Award. Maureen's dedication to heritage and her roots in Shawnee go beyond her job. Many events and programs we enjoy, like the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Shawnee Town 1929, would not be the same without her.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities to Engage
We've got momentum coming off a strong start, and this year is packed with opportunities to stay connected and make an impact:
- State of the City with Mayor Sandifer takes place on Thursday, February 26th at B&B Theatres Shawnee. This is your chance to hear directly from city leadership about where Shawnee is headed, infrastructure priorities, and economic development initiatives that affect your bottom line. If you're planning for the year ahead, you need to be in this room.
- Community Impact Day – On April 24th, we put our money where our mouth is. The Chamber will be coordinating volunteer teams to support local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations. If your organization has a project that needs hands and muscle – painting, landscaping, general facility improvements – we want to hear from you. And if you're looking to get your team out of the office and into the community, this will be your opportunity. We'll match volunteers with projects throughout Shawnee. Volunteer sign-ups will be coming soon.
- Americana & Ales – We're six months out from welcoming the world to Kansas City, and Shawnee is stepping up. On June 20th, we're hosting Americana & Ales in downtown Shawnee – a music and beer festival that'll showcase the best of what our community has to offer. This is our chance to welcome international visitors. Let's show the world what Shawnee can do.
Our Commitment Moving Forward
In construction, we know that a strong foundation determines everything that comes after. The same applies to our business community. We've got the right pieces in place with strong leadership, engaged members, and opportunities that can elevate Shawnee on a global stage. Now it's about execution. Let's make 2026 a year we're proud of. I look forward to working alongside each of you in the year ahead.
Casey McBride
2026 Board Chair
Vice President, A.L. Huber Construction