During his college years, Chris Jackman's fraternity supported children's charities for their fundraising events. Soon after graduating and entering the workforce, he began hosting a yearly lobster boil for family and close friends, which became known as "Lobsterfest." In 2009, nearly a hundred guests attended the backyard event. It finally reached the level he was looking for. Jackman asked his close friends an important question, "what if we turn Lobsterfest into a charity event?"
And so it began. In 2010, his close friends formed a non-profit organization called Give Hope Back and hosted their first signature event - Lobsterfest.
The good ol' fashion lobster boil was located on the Rooftop Park in downtown Kansas City for more than a hundred guests. To date, we have raised more than $120,000 for Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics. Chris' backyard event now has a good cause with a team of professionals who want to do something for the children of Kansas City.
DONATIONS
2010
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics General Needs Fund
2011
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics General Needs Fund
2012
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics Cancer Center, Auxiliary
2013
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics Cancer Center, Auxiliary
2014
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics Cancer Center, Auxiliary
2015
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics Cancer Center, Auxiliary
2016
Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics Cancer Center, Auxiliary
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jared Haskamp*
Treasure & Vice President – Finance
Jared, a northern Missouri native, graduated from Park University with a degree in finance. While attending school, he began his ten year customer service career with Starwood Hotels and Resorts at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Jared has worked in several areas of the hotel industry including Front Desk Management, Guest Services Management, Restaurant Management, and still works at the Westin and Sheraton Hotels- Kansas City as the Director of Banquets overseeing the largest Banquet and Catering operations in the city.
Jared joined the Board of Directors 2013. In 2015, he became a Member of the Executive Committee and is currently serving as our Vice President of Finance.
Chris Jackman*
Chairman & President
Chris Jackman, a native of Kansas City, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Management –Management of Technology from Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2004. After graduation, he worked in the construction industry for a local contactor before moving to the product management side of the technology field. Chris currently is the Director of Product Management for Iris Data Services.
Chris is the founder and creator of Give Hope Back. He has served as the Chairman and President since the inception of the Board in 2010. Chris is also a member of the Executive Committee.
Matt Kartsonis*
Secretary
Matt, a Kansas City Native, graduated from Texas Christian University with a Degree in Textile and Merchandizing, in 2001. After graduation, he joined his family’s linen and work wear business which has been serving the Kansas City area for more than 120 years. In his current role with Superior Linen, Matt is the Vice Preside of Operations, Sales and Service.
Matt is an original Board Member. Since 2010, Matt has held a couple of Board Positions. He began serving as the Vice President of Business Development and now he is fulfilling the role of Secretary. He is also on the Executive Committee.
Brent Taylor
Vice President – Business Development
Brent is a native of the Kansas City area. He received his Bachelor of Science in Economics & Finance from Baker University in Baldwin City, KS. Post-graduation he began his career in Mississippi with Universal Underwriters Group (now Zurich) as an Account Executive. After seven years in Mississippi, Brent returned to the local area and spent the next five years in the local banking industry as a lender and business development director. Currently, he is the President and Owner of Acceleration Laboratories, headquartered in Lee’s Summit, MO. Brent is a 2010 graduate of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership program and an active member of Urban Rangers.
Brent joined the Board in 2015 and is currently serving as Vice President of Business Development
Chris Vaeth*
Vice Chairman & Vice President
Chris, a Perryville, Missouri native, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2002. After graduating, he packed his bag and headed to Kansas City. For more than 10 years he has worked in the construction industry and is currently, the Director of Preconstruction Services for McCown Gordon Construction overseeing multiple projects locally and regionally. He is a graduate of Leadership Overland Park, the Centurions Program hosted by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and apart of Ingram’s 2015 Class of 40 under 40.
Chris is an original Board Member. Since 2010, Chris has served as the Vice Chairman and Vice Present. He is also a member of the Executive Committee.
Tracey Vaeth
Vice President – Marketing & Promotions
Tracey, a Kansas City native, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas 1995. After graduation she worked for the Mercantile Stores Hair and Salon Division in Lenexa, Kansas overseeing the purchasing of equipment and marketing material for the company’s day spas before leaping into the construction industry in 1998. Currently, Tracey is working part-time as a Marketing Coordinator for Titan Built.
Tracey has served as the Vice President of Marketing and Promotions since the Board was formed in 2010.
*Executive Committee Member
Chris Bix | 2010-2015
Chris Jackman | 2010-Present
Matt Kartsonis |2010-Present
Shelli Obermiller | 2010-2015
August “Gus” Rechtein | 2010-2012
Chris Vaeth | 2010-Present
Tracey Vaeth | 2010-Present
Brent Taylor | 2015-Present
Dave Rowe | 2016 - Present
Margret Huff | 2016 - Present
Eric Watts | 2016 - Present
History
PAST AND CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS