Doug Kinsinger, Principal

I began my career in this field at the age of nineteen as a college intern at the Waterloo, Iowa Chamber of Commerce. I have had the opportunity over my career to work with top level leaders from Fortune 500s to one-person entrepreneur startups. I observed the power and value of developing a consensus in an organization and in a community. Over time, I gained an understanding that "it did not have to be my idea, it did not have to be your idea, it needed to be the best idea."

As I gained experience, I learned how to how to develop consensus from people of different backgrounds and interests. I recognized that the more people had input into a plan, the more ownership they took and the more commitment they would make to see it implemented. If they helped write the plan, they would help underwrite the plan. Once I understood this simple concept, the communities and organizations I served excelled at a pace, and to levels, I never dreamed possible.

I am now proud to be part of an organization staffed by professionals who have extensive years of combined campaign fundraising experience and private sector leadership. This dual experience allows us to partner effectively with your organization's staff and community leaders. We understand the importance and dynamics of these relationships because we’ve been on both the public and private sector sides. And we know how they work together.

My passion is helping organizations and communities develop a truly shared vision and then raising the resources to fuel those visions to implementation. Guiding organizations and its leaders to unlock their true potential and to observe what happens when they have the right plan, the right resources and the proper implementation is a joyous thing to observe. 

Contact Doug

(785) 554-8785
kinsinger@opportunityfunding.net

Adam Kinsinger

Senior Project Director

Adam Kinsinger has been a dedicated member of the Opportunity Funding team for over five years, bringing a wealth of experience in uniting diverse groups and leveraging technology to drive impactful solutions.

With a strong track record of providing high-level support to clients nationwide, Adam is known for his creative problem­ solving, inclusive approach, and commitment to delivering exceptional results. After building his career on both the East and West Coasts, he's thrilled to have planted roots in Kansas City, returning to his Midwestern roots with a passion for building up the communities that helped shape him.

OBJECTIVE: To empower organizations to transform and grow their communities, working hand in hand to build a vibrant future while retaining their best and brightest. I strive to provide the resources, strategic vision, and funding necessary to turn ambitious initiatives into reality and create positive change.

EXPERIENCE: At Opportunity Funding, Adam has played a pivotal role in leading strategic community development initiatives across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. He has coordinated and executed numerous remote feasibility studies that have shaped major multi-million dollar campaigns. These projects have encompassed a broad range of initiatives, from economic development and downtown revitalization to housing, historic preservation, and education.

Adam's expertise lies in bringing diverse stakeholders together to drive impactful change. He has conducted over 1,500 stakeholder interviews, managed the formation and oversight of multiple 20- 30 person remote committees, and developed strategic materials that have secured major multi­ year donations from businesses and private donors. With a talent for bridging generational gaps, Adam serves as a valuable touchpoint for communities looking to engage and retain young professionals.

His ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights has been instrumental in crafting compelling Findings Reports and Prospectuses, equipping organizations with the tools they need to build stronger, more vibrant communities.

Before working with Opportunity Funding, Adam worked as a business manager in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, where he managed the financial lives of A-list actors, writers, and directors. The Portfolio Adam supervised and reconciled grew to over $100 million throughout his time at the firm. During his time in this role, he completely revamped the company's client onboarding process and oversaw the modernization of the company's accounting and CRM systems.

Throughout his career, Adam has served as the communication channel between high-level government offices and his various companies' executive management. For his first job out of college, Adam served as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Steiner Studios, one of New York City's premier real estate companies and the operator of the largest movie studio in the U.S. outside of Los Angeles. He spent a substantial amount of time coordinating with the New York City Mayor's New York Governor's offices to spearhead a new development initiative that doubled the studio space of Steiner Studios. Adam knows how to tactfully and invitingly involve stakeholders into bold, new efforts.

EDUCATION: Adam attended Creighton University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Finance, Economics, and Theatre. Adam was selected as a Scott Scholar (full-ride finance scholarship), a Dean's Fellow, a recipient of the Financial Executives International Nebraska Scholarship, and the Executive Director of Youth Leadership Omaha Ambassadors.

HOBBIES: When he's not helping communities fund their visions, Adam serves on KCUR's Gen Listen Board, serves as the Filmmaker Liaison Director for the Kansas City International Film Festival, plays in a recreational soccer league, tutors for the ACT, and writes/performs sketch comedy.

Contact ADAM

(785) 580-7008
adamkinsinger@opportunityfunding.net

David Kerr

Senior Project Director & EDC Counselor

OBJECTIVE: To provide the plan and resources for communities to fund their visions.

EXPERIENCE: David Kerr retired in 2007 as an executive of SBC/AT&T after 28 years to serve as the head of economic development for three governors. David retired as the President-AT&T Kansas to serve as the Secretary of Commerce under Kansas Governors Kathleen Sebelius and Mark Parkinson (April, 2007 - October, 2009) and then as the Director of the Department of Economic Development for Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (November, 2009 - December, 2011).

During his career in the public and private sectors, David was actively engaged and has experience in strategic planning, having initiated and led the development of the economic development strategic plan for the state of Missouri. David has had significant experience overseeing corporate philanthropy decisions and in non-profit capital campaigns as a board member.

During his time at SBC/AT&T, Kerr held numerous positions in accounting, finance, information technology, wholesale marketing & sales, and governmental & external affairs. As a member of the governors' cabinet in Kansas, he worked with the governors to recruit, retain, and grow the presence of major corporations including Cessna, Goodyear Tire, Spirit Aerospace, J.P. Morgan, and Black & Veatch and administered the STAR Bonds program to develop major tourism destination projects. In Missouri, Kerr and his team worked with Governor Nixon to expand business opportunities including retaining and significantly expanding the Kansas City Ford, Wentzville GM and Kansas City Harley Davidson plants as well as recruiting IBM, Unisys, and Blount. He accompanied Governor Nixon on a trade mission to China where he signed trade agreements worth over $5 billion.

Kerr has a long history of community and civic service as he has served on the Avila University Board of Trustees since September 2012 and as Chairman of the Board from May of 2017 until May of 2022. He has also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for both the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Missouri Technology Investment Committee and on the boards of the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, Kansas Post-Secondary Technical Education Authority, United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, University of Kansas School of Engineering Advisory Board, Kansas State University School of Business Advisory Board, Boys Scouts of America, Easter Seals Cappers Foundation, Topeka Performing Arts Center, March of Dimes, Kansas and Missouri State Fair and Kansas Council on Travel & Tourism.

David has been an active leader in numerous capital campaigns and is a "natural" in utilizing his business and people skills. David is a valuable contributor to the Opportunity Funding process.

EDUCATION: David is a native of Ness City, Kansas, and a graduate of Savior of the World Seminary (1971) in Bonner Springs, Kansas and Avila University in Kansas City, MO with Bachelor of Art in Business Administration (1976) and Bachelor of Science in Economics (1977) degrees .

PERSONAL: While he, his wife Mary and their family have lived in multiple states throughout his career, they resided in St. Louis for 16 years earlier in his career and returned in retirement to be close to their two adult children and grandchildren.

Contact David

(314) 960-0060
kerr@opportunityfunding.net

John Coen

Senior Project Director

John Coen brings eleven years of experience and leadership in chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. Prior to that he had successful careers in banking, the legislature, and in agriculture. Coen also has served on the Board of Directors for Ottawa University, AdventHealth, Ottawa Hospital Board of Trustees, Ottawa USD 290 School Board, and the Heartland Works Workforce Investment Board for NE Kansas. Coen joined Opportunity Funding in summer of 2023 as a Senior Project Director after using the company that produced two highly successful fundraising campaigns for his Chamber.

OBJECTIVE: To help communities define and refine their vision and then provide the plan and resources to fund the vision.

EXPERIENCE: John Coen is recently retired president and chief executive officer of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held for nearly eleven years. During his tenure as President/CEO of the Ottawa Chamber, he additionally served on the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas board and was chairperson at the time of his retirement.

Prior to beginning at the Chamber, John had a successful career as a commercial and ag lender in his local community. For 3-years, John worked in the Kansas Legislature as Special Assistant to the Senate Majority Leader and one year as Legislative Director for the Senate President. John’s early life was spent devoted to their family farm of 300 acres and 80 dairy cows.

John has dedicated a lifetime to serving and making his local community and state a better place to live, work and raise a family. He has served 23 years on the local hospital board, 10 years on the Ottawa University Board of Trustees, 5 years on the Ottawa School Board, 10 years on the Kansas Sunflower Foundation CEC committee, 11 years on the Kansas Heartland Workforce development board – the last 5 as its chair. From the time John graduated from college he began serving on various committees in the Chamber of Commerce and for the local Farm Bureau. He has served on several state Farm Bureau Committees and twice was a Kansas voting delegate to the National Farm Bureau convention. For 3 years he served on Governor Bill Graves’ Vision 21st Century Task Force for Agriculture.

During John’s tenure at the Ottawa Chamber, he led an effective strategic planning session which brought the community vision of developing an outdoor community event space where people could gather in the local downtown. After the vision was created, a capital campaign was initiated and raised $4.3 million to help the community realize the efforts of their forward planning.

While in the Kansas Senate, John worked closely with communities and citizens within the senate district of the majority leader. He helped with funding of Rural Development Projects; helped citizens and communities work through problems with Kansas Departments of Revenue and Transportation and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. When a flood affected Southeast Kansas, John helped many communities work through issues with FEMA and natural disaster funding.

EDUCATION: John is a graduate of Kansas State University with a BS degree in Agriculture Education. Additionally, he is a graduate of Kansas/Nebraska Schools of Banking and Lending Principals and the Agriculture School of Lending. John received leadership training as a graduate of Leadership Kansas and by serving on the Franklin County Leadership board of trustees for 15 years. He also graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management.

Contact John

(785) 241-4558
coen@opportunityfunding.net

Lyle Butler

Senior Project Director

Lyle Butler brings 29 years of experience and leadership in chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. Prior to that he had successful careers in the private sector in banking and radio broadcasting where he was always in volunteer leadership positions with the local chambers and economic development organizations.

Lyle is known for his ability to develop and execute a vision, build consensus, develop community partnerships, fundraising and communication. Butler joined Opportunity Funding in March of 2019 as a Senior Project Director after using the company that produced 3 highly successful fundraising campaigns for his Chamber.

OBJECTIVE: To help your community see its greatest potential by developing a vision and the appropriate funding to execute a plan to ensure its success.

EXPERIENCE: Lyle just completed 19 years as the President/CEO of the Manhattan (Kansas) Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that he was the President/CEO of the Greeley (Colorado) Chamber of Commerce. Butler started his professional Chamber Career as the President/CEO of the Dodge City (Kansas) Area Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to the Chamber profession, Lyle was in the private sector with leadership and management experiences in the radio broadcasting industry and in community banking. In every community Lyle was an active participant in the volunteer leadership of the local Chamber of Commerce where he served on various committees and boards and ultimately became a Chamber Chair of the Board. The combination of work experiences in the private sector and with the Chamber profession has given Lyle unique insights and perspectives on how to be very successful in building a community vision and fundraising.

At the Manhattan Chamber, Lyle was responsible for three separate divisions of the Chamber including membership, economic development and convention and visitor's bureau. During his tenure a fourth division was created called Military Relations. Under his leadership these four separate divisions all had goals and objectives and the funding necessary to support the overall mission of the Chamber.

Lyle has had leadership training by being both a graduate of Leadership Kansas and the Flint Hills Leadership program. He also in the past has been actively involved with helping to build downtowns through being a board member of the Kansas Mainstreet Program and also serving on the Board for Downtown Manhattan, Inc. and the volunteer President of Downtown Dodge, Inc. These experiences have successfully helped him promote downtowns as one of the most important economic elements of a community no matter the city size.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: With Lyles leadership in the Manhattan Chamber, 4 successful fund-raising campaigns were completed with the last three being done by Opportunity Funding. In a county of 70,000 population, over 10 million dollars was raised from these 4 campaigns. This funding helped Lyle and his team take the leadership role in many areas listed here, including the development and implementation of a $225 million-dollar downtown redevelopment project that included a large convention center, hotels, retail, restaurants, a discovery center museum, a park and parking garage.

In June of 2020, Lyle was appointed by the Governor of Kansas as Chair of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Committee. This committee had the responsibility to distribute $1.2 billion dollars from the Federal CARES Act to the people of Kansas

EDUCATION: Lyle attended Ottawa University, in Ottawa, Kansas where he majored in Speech and Communication. He is also a graduate of the University of Colorado Chamber Institute of Organizational Management and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.

Contact Lyle

(785) 341-7037
butler@opportunityfunding.net

Neil Dobler

Senior Project Director & Municipal/Infrastructure Advisor

Neil Dobler has over 42 years in the engineering industry in both the consulting and municipal sectors. His career had focused on local governments and enhancing their ability to fund and construct major projects. Neil understands local government and politics, having served as a Public Works Director, Interim City Manager and currently as a City Councilman for Topeka, Kansas. 

After obtaining a degree in Civil Engineering in 1982 and spending two years in industry, Neil began a career as a consulting engineer, working for city, county and state government. Over a period of 40 years, he spent two long stints with the City of Topeka as a Public Works professional, including time as Assistant Public Works Director and five years as Public Works and Utilities Director. In 2005, as the first City Manager, Neil help the City of Topeka transition from a strong Mayor to City Manager form of government over an 11-month period. In 2006, Neil started at Bartlett & West, an engineering firm headquartered in Topeka, KS. At Bartlett & West, Neil led the expansion of services for wastewater and renewable energy and the expansion of the company into the state of Texas. He ended his career there in 2023 after 17 years as a Senior Vice President and as a Director of the company. 

At the City of Topeka, Dobler successfully led several large projects and, as Public Works Director, represented the City in a successful campaign to pass a 1/2 cent sales tax for Topeka/Shawnee County to fund economic development and major infrastructure projects. After transitioning to Bartlett & West, Neil was one of the original members of a group that successfully redeveloped Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka. That effort included funding by the City for infrastructure and private funding for amenities, including arches, pocket parks and statues. While at Bartlett & West, Dobler co-led a coalition to pass a 1/2 cent sales tax for street maintenance and the extension of the 1/2 cent sales tax for economic development and infrastructure. He also advocated for the redevelopment of the I-70 viaduct through downtown Topeka, resulting in a commitment of $20 million from the City and over $250 million from KDOT. The first phase of the I-70 project will begin in 2025. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Neil has spent his career working to develop public-private partnerships and coalitions of entities dedicated to improving the community. To this end, Dobler has served on the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce (now the Greater Topeka Partnership) and with many other community boards including hospitals, civic theaters and, most recently, the Capper Foundation. In all of these opportunities, Neil has been involved in strategic planning and fundraising for numerous projects.

In 2019, Neil was appointed to an unexpired term for Topeka City Council District 7 and in 2021 successfully ran for re-election. He served as Deputy Mauor in 2023. As a member of the Council, he has focused on infrastructure and economic development, serving as the City’s representative to the Topeka Chamber and GO Topeka as well as serving on the board of the Joint Economic Development Organization, the joint City-County entity that oversees approximately $18 million annually for economic development and infrastructure.

Neil has received several honors over the years, including 2005 Distinguished Kansas of the Year for Civic Involvement, member of the class of 2005 Leadership Kansas and 2016 Topeka Business Hall of Fame Laureate. His civic involvement has included time as Board Chair for the Topeka Chamber, St. Francis Hospital, the Metropolitan Airport Authority and is currently serving as Vice Chair for the Capper Foundation.

PERSONAL: Neil earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Kansas. Neil is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Kansas. His wife, Beth is an Elementary Ed Professor at Emporia State University and they have a combined family of four sons and one daughter and two grandchildren.

Contact Neil

(785) 215-2000
dobler@opportunityfunding.net