Levi Civic Giant Award - December 2009

December 10, 2009

Kansas City, MO.—As President and CEO of The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce for the past 19 years, Pete Levi's many accomplishments, awards and recognitions in the Kansas City area have made a lasting impression on the city. Levi has provided a healthy direction for the businesses and citizens of the Kansas City community.

To honor Levi's accomplishments, he has been chosen as the second recipient of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City's (Blue KC) Civic Giant Award, the organization's award recognition of a leader who has been a good friend to Kansas City and who has made a lasting and healthy difference in our community at large.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City 2009 Civic Giant Award will be presented to Levi during the first timeout of the second half at the Kansas City Shootout Game between University of Kansas and LaSalle at the Sprint Center on Saturday, December 12. Game time is 1 p.m.

After his many years of leading the Chamber, Levi announced in the summer that he will retire on December 31. During his tenure, Levi has been in the middle of many of the city's most important civic discussions. Known as a consummate consensus builder, Levi has navigated through opposing civic agendas, leadership changes, and partnering with local executives to build a more powerful Chamber. In addition, he has helped transform the Chamber into one of the strongest advocates of social services in the community.

"Pete exemplifies leadership in our community," said Tom Bowser, President and CEO of Blue KC. "During his tenure as president of the Chamber, his heart and brains have moved Kansas City in both growth and development. His steady hand, wit and charm will be truly missed."

Previously, Levi served as executive director of Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). More recently, Levi announced he will join Polsinelli Shughart PC on January 1, 2010 as a shareholder and leader of the firm's Kansas City region public policy practice group. He received both his Juris Doctor and his Masters of Law in Urban Legal Affairs from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Levi serves on many boards throughout the community, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City; Jewish Community Foundation; Workforce Investment Board; Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute Association; Kansas City Symphony; Hawthorn Foundation; University of Missouri-Kansas City board of trustees; Midwest Research Institute board of trustees; board of advisors of University of Kansas Edwards Campus; advancement board of The University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Hospital; and board of visitors of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.

In addition to receiving Blue KC's Civic Giant Award, Levi has been awarded the Harmony Humanitarian Award; Urban League Difference Maker Award; Distinguished Leader in Business Award by BakerUniversity; Walter Scheiber Regional Leadership Award; Public Administrator of Year Award; and most recently, the Swope Health Services' Great Leaders Award.

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce represents 8,500 companies in the bi-state metropolitan area and is governed by a 45-member board consisting of presidents and CEOs.

About Blue KC

Blue KC, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in the state and the only not-for-profit health insurer in Kansas City, has been part of the Kansas City community since 1938. Blue KC provides health coverage to nearly 900,000 residents in the greater Kansas City area and Northwest Missouri. Blue KC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information on our company, visit our website at www.BlueKC.com. Our mission statement: We will use our role as the area's leading health insurer to provide affordable access to healthcare and to improve the health and wellness of our members.

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