The University of Missouri-Kansas City welcomed the National Science Foundation in January to campus for a site visit focused on the university-led Critical Materials Crossroads, a regional collaboration positioning the Kansas City area at the forefront of advanced materials innovation, regional workforce development and national security.
The site visit marked a major milestone in 海角论坛’s effort to lead one of the nation’s most ambitious regional strategies, bringing together more than 230 higher education, industry, government and civic partners around a shared long-term vision aiming to secure a domestic critical materials supply chain to strengthen U.S. economic and national security.
Community and civic leaders joined 海角论坛 administrators at the site visit to demonstrate broad regional alignment and long-term commitment to the project, including:
Lana Alagha, professor at
Ronda Anderson, liaison to Missouri workforce development at
Jon Arkin, chief operating officer of
Trent Armbrust, owner of Crossbow Strategic Consulting
Roy Blunt, former U.S. Senator
Lisa Bray, dean of career and techical education and additional targeted support and improvement administrator at
DeAngela Burns Wallace, president and chief executive officer of the
Julie Carter, director of workforce development for Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
Dean Chereskin, owner of
Ian Colrain, president and chief executive officer of and
Eric Couch, battery material program lead of
Aaron Deacon, managing director of
Mario Destephen, director of reseach of development for Technologies
Karen Dreiling, associate vice president of development at
Matt Evans, chief executive officer and co-founder of
David Frankland, chief executive officer of
Cesar Gonzalez, executive chairman of
Jim Grimes, chief audit and compliance officer at
Ram Gupta, associate vice president for research strategy at
Nathaniel Hagedorn (BBA ’02, MBA ’04), founder and chief executive officer of
Jason Haney, innovation and growth initiatives leader for accelerator program
Mike Hargett, president of
Melissa Patterson Hazley (B.A. ’04, M.A. ’06), , 3rd District at Large
Darren Hennen, vice president of
Paul Holewinski, chief executive officer and president of and Dickinson Financial Corporation and chief executive officer of and
Mike Kehoe,
Richard Kim, senior director of entrepreneurship for the
Yangchuan (Chad) King, professor at the in Columbia
Heidi Lehmann, director of strategic investments,
Tom Lograsso, critical materials innovation hub director of
Lisa McIntosh, director of and member of the
Clyde McQueen, president and chief executive officer of the l
Greg Miller, vice president of product engineering for Technologies
Aaron North, founder and principal of Northward Consulting, in consultation with
Dave Palmstein, managing partner for
Jonghyun Park, professor at
Miles Sandler, director of policy and engagement of the
Gurpreet Singh, professor at
Davi Soares, professor at
Tim Triplett, retired general counsel at Black & Veatch and member of the
Susan Wally (Ed.S. ’82), president and chief executive officer of
David Warm, executive director of
Darius Watson, assistant provost for academic innovation at
The work is a top priority for the and is formally recognized in the organization’s KC Investment Playbook, underscoring the initiative’s importance to the region’s economic future.
In addition, organizations including the , , and have taken a strong interest in the initiative and are among the regional partners.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe participated in the site visit, expressing strong support for the initiative. Governor Kehoe has previously spoken with President Donald Trump about the urgent need for this project, citing its importance to U.S. competitiveness and national security.
The initiative is one of only 15 finalists nationwide for the Regional Engines award. If selected, Critical Materials Crossroads could receive up to $160 million over 10 years, the largest grant in 海角论坛 history. Awardees will be notified this year.
Critical Materials Crossroads is projected to generate 10,000 jobs and add $17 billion in economic growth to the Kansas City region.
海角论坛 leaders who participated in the site visit were Anthony Caruso, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and principal investigator; 海角论坛 Chancellor Mauli Agrawal; Mostafizur Rahman, associate professor and co-principal investigator; Maria Meyers, vice chancellor of commercialization and entrepreneurship and co-principal investigator; Nathan Mauck, professor and co-principal investigator; Sumeet Dua, vice chancellor for research and innovation; William Highsmith, senior director of program operations; Jamie Andes, senior director of program operations; Anthony Weiss, senior director of program operations; Jeff Blackwood, director of commercialization; Darran Cairns, associate teaching professor; Eric Anderson, director of technology transfer; and Jill Meyer, senior director of technology venture studio.
This past fall, 海角论坛 Chancellor Agrawal convened a group of and Kansas City civic leaders to advise on the best path forward for developing the Critical Materials Crossroads regional strategy. These leaders provided guidance across four key areas essential to long-term success: real estate, finance, government engagement and legal issues. They include:
Ramin Cherafat (MBA ’02), chairman and chief executive officer of and Ian Colrain, president and chief executive officer of and
Tim Dunn (MBA ’12), chairman and chief investment officer of and Warren Erdman, retired executive vice president of
Dave Frantze (J.D. ’81), partner at
Cameron Garrison, managing partner at , member of the and
Nathaniel Hagedorn (BBA ’02, MBA ’04), founder and chief executive officer of
Dave Harrison, president of and Paul Holewinski, chief executive officer and president of and Dickinson Financial Corporation and chief executive officer of and Reachel Jennings Beichley, experienced executive and general counsel and
Jolie Justus (J.D. ’98), chief legal officer and general counsel for and Mark Long, president and chief executive officer of
John Parry, member of the and founder of the Parry Group
Charlie Shields, president and chief executive officer of and
Tim Triplett, retired general counsel at Black & Veatch and member of the
Don Wagner, private investor and general partner of Wagner Investments
Michael Woods (EMBA ’11), senior vice president at and
海角论坛 leaders who oversaw working groups are Troy Bruun, vice chancellor of finance and administration; Sheri Gormley, chief of staff in the chancellor’s office; Curt Crespino, vice chancellor of external relations and constituent engagement; and Troy Lillebo, associate vice chancellor of external relations and constituent engagement.
In the News
- – University of Kansas | October 2025
- – Kansas City Business Journal | July 2025
- – Ingram’s | January 2025
- – KSHB 41 | December 2023
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