W. Bloch and three other outstanding entrepreneurial leaders on October 17, 2005 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The dinner’s top honor, the International Entrepreneur of the Year award, went to Henry Bloch, co-founder and honorary chairman of H&R Block, Inc. Bloch began with the idea that small business is the backbone of this country. He identified the need for and, along with his brother, made the decision to fill the role of supporting those small businesses by starting the United Business Company in 1946.  In 1955, friends persuaded the brothers to offer and advertise tax preparation services, and H&R Block was born.  Henry’s vision transformed a company with 12 employees in 1955, into present day H&R Block, Inc. - a global financial services firm with more than 11,000 outlets across the United States and 1,000 offices internationally, serving more than 22 million taxpayers worldwide. Bloch’s contributions to the Kansas City community as a philanthropist and civic leader were noted during the evening, too. 
 

Jim Ferrell, chairman and CEO, Ferrellgas, Inc., was awarded the Regional Entrepreneur of the Year award. Ferrell built Ferrellgas from a small business in Atchison, KS to an international propane business.  Jim has remained at the helm of the company throughout this journey of tremendous growth.  The Overland Park-based Ferrellgas has now become the leading propane company with more than one million customers nationwide, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Friends and business associates of Ferrell’s in New York who were unable to attend the event established the Jim Ferrell Scholarship Fund at the Bloch School as a surprise to honor and recognize Ferrell. 
 

Barbara and Bill Nelson are well known for their dynamic support of civic causes in Kansas City, making them the perfect choice to receive the Marion and John Kreamer Entrepreneur in Volunteer Community Service award. 

Mike Wilson, the 2005 Student Entrepreneur of the Year, began his entrepreneurial career at age 16 when he started maintaining the 1987 Corvette his father bought for him.  His success in finding wholesale parts that made his car faster gained attention, and before long Mike was running Lefty’s Auto.  He has launched two more ventures, Guerilla Works Production Company, a movie and DVD production company, and Wilson Speaking Engagements.  Mike is an MBA student in the Bloch School.