Working with Greg Orman

As a Kansas businessman for the past twenty-five years, I’ve been very fortunate to have played key roles in two entrepreneurial-driven startup companies, which collectively created more than 500 jobs in the State of Kansas.  The first company was ultimately sold for $2 billion.  I’m a co-founder of the second as well as the president & CEO.

I first met Greg Orman around three years ago in my search for new investors in my company.   I didn’t want “just an investor;” I wanted someone who could help me build an effective organization and develop sales and marketing strategies to achieve significant growth potential in the markets we compete.  As I sit here today, finalizing the largest bonus payout we’ve ever made to our employees, I know I made the right decision to engage Greg Orman.  

Greg has amazed me by his ability to confront highly complex matters, sometimes marked by divergent thoughts and opinions, and shape a consensus around common goals and solutions.   He is able to do this because of his intelligence, honesty and resolve, which quickly become apparent to all who work with him.

Today, I have a stronger team, thanks to Greg Orman.  He has provided clarity to complex business challenges and assisted in the implementation of fundamental business processes; all offering measurable improvement in my company’s growth and profitability.  Quite frankly, even though I’m old enough to be his father, he is one of the best mentors I’ve ever had. 

The fact that Greg is willing to commit his skills and experience to public service is not only refreshing, but gives me faith that genuine, substantive improvement in our political process could actually happen.

-Wynne Jennings

Growing up with Greg Orman

We grew up in a modest sized house with a single mom and six kids. We all had to double up on bedrooms, which merely enhanced the amusement park level of chaos in the house. Even so, my Mom always insisted that we sit down for dinner each night to enjoy one of her culinary masterpieces, like meatloaf surprise or pork chops drowned in Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup. While this evening ritual got in the way of our hectic schedules, those dinners were never short on hilarity. We all still reminisce about one funny dinner table incident or another, and the family dynamics established at those dinners seems to have stayed with us throughout our lives.

Mike is still the “straight-man” comedian, Jackie is still the goof ball, and my brother Greg Orman, the second oldest in that chaotic clan, is still the leader. Greg has always been the go-to-guy for keeping the peace among us kids. When we’d fight over whose turn it was to pick the TV show or when I would chase Jackie around because she “borrowed” my sweater and then spilled hot chocolate down the front, Greg was always right there to calm us down.

He was our guidance counselor and helped us focus on what we wanted to do in the future. He provided sound advice and encouragement, whether it was when Lisa ran for class president, when David tried out for the hockey team or when Mike wanted to ask a girl out for a second date.

Greg led by his own example and showed me that hard work, determination, kindness and integrity are a lot more important than material things. He had to wait in line to claim his free-lunch tickets whenever our family qualified for them, and he would be the first to argue for my right to play with the neighbor kids during night games. Greg helped me realize the joy of being a part of our colorful family. The best part is, with Greg’s sense of humor, he never fails to make me laugh my way out of even the worst mood. He’s this awe-inspiring success, excelling at everything he does; yet he still takes the time to just hang out and be my brother.

-Michelle Orman

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Meet Greg Orman

Welcome to my blog. This is just one of the places Kansans can get information about our campaign to change the way Washington works and the way Washington does the people’s business. Hopefully, you will find this site a tool for learning more about my approach to the issues, sharing feedback and advice, staying up-to-date with the campaign, volunteering to help, and creating a community of folks who share our commitment to making Washington work for all of us again. For more information, please visit www.voteorman.com. Let us know what you think and thank you for visiting.

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I realize I’m a relative unknown in the political arena, so I wanted to take a little time today to introduce myself to you and give you some insight into what has motivated me to take this leap.

While this is the first time that I’ve run for elective office, I was exposed to public service long ago. In the 1940’s my grandfather was an early supporter of Hubert Humphrey as he ran and was elected the Mayor of Minneapolis. My grandfather served as Humphrey’s top aide for 25 years. Later, when my grandfather passed away, my uncle took over in the same capacity.

I was honored to be able to see Humphrey up close and decided early in my life that I wanted to follow his example of a life dedicated to serving others.

That passion for public service was fueled in the late 1980’s when I was fortunate enough to attend the American Legion’s Boys State program. At the end of that week, I was elected Boy’s State governor and was selected to go to Boys’ Nation. It was an incredibly enlightening and moving experience for me, and as my Boys’ Nation experience came to a close, I had the privilege of sharing a podium with President Ronald Reagan.

As I’ve traveled the country and observed firsthand the struggles of everyday Americans, I’ve realized that public service is much more than just standing at a podium. It’s more than just giving speeches. It’s about improving the lives of others. It’s about making a meaningful contribution. It’s about long hours, hard work, thoughtful deliberation and vision with a purpose. I realized early in my life that this was the kind of contribution that I wanted to make.

Which brings us to today.

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