Who We Are

Jonathan is a partner with Kapke & Willerth law firm. His practice includes a diverse range of clients and issues including real estate, probate, estate planning, governmental representation and homeowner association representation. He currently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Raymore, Missouri. Jonathan also represents approximately fifty homeowner’s associations from within the Kansas City Metropolitan region. Within the community, Jonathan is involved in the Independence Rotary Club, and the Independence Chamber of Commerce where he served as the Chairman of the Board in 2018.
Jonathan is married to his college sweetheart, Kristine. They have two teenage daughters, Kaitlyn and Jillian. As a family, they enjoy finding opportunities to serve within their community. They also enjoy an assortment of outdoor activities including; camping, canoeing, fishing, boating and exploring the backwoods of Missouri.

In 2002 Ben co-founded Devine Janitorial Service, LLC, a full service commercial Janitorial company. Ben personally knows the ins and outs of the Veterans Administration System as a service disabled veteran (Six years Air Force Pararescue). Ben has been a member of Building Owners and Managers Association for over twenty years and served on the board for two. Ben and his wife are the caregivers for Ben's Mom, a paraplegic, since 2005.

Melissa has been an active-duty Army spouse since 2004. She has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Rollins College and a master’s degree in Training and Development from Roosevelt University. Her professional background includes experience in training, business analyst, human resources transactions, and product development. Melissa has served in many volunteer roles including Treasurer of the Fort Wood Community Spouses’ Club, Executive Consultant/Board Member for the AUSA FLW Mid-Mo Chapter, SFRG Leader in several units and Community Engagement Manager for Blue Star Families of Missouri. She enjoys everything associated with books, reading and learning and she is passionate about supporting the military family community.

Elizabeth Wells, MSN, RN specializes in Emergency Medicine at Liberty Hospital in Missouri. She graduated with her Bachelors in 2012 from The University of Kansas and her Masters from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles in 2015. She's a daughter of two retired Army Officers. Both her step mother and her brother were both in the Army as well.

She is a Kansas girl at heart, who loves traveling abroad, hiking, camping, fishing, fostering animals, off road motorcycling, CrossFit and any and all things adrenaline bound. She also values the beauty in yoga, meditation, a good book, a long nap, a meaningful conversation, snuggles from her hound and a good strong glass of whiskey. She considers herself tenacious yet relatable.

Elizabeth lost her brother Murphy to suicide in February of 2019. Murphy served a tour in 2012 in Afghanistan as the Station Chief for the 750th Engineering Detachment. His profound loss has motivated Elizabeth into action. Elizabeth and her family have heavily participated in Caregivers on the Homefront's annual 5k fundraiser for the past three years. Elizabeth has represented her family as a spokesperson through words of loss, grief and hope. She touched many lives when she completed a raw and unfiltered Podcast hosted by Behind The Service. She discussed signs and symptoms, the grieving process for caregivers, how to start the difficult conversation and so much more you rarely hear about in terms of suicide. She is motivated to continue representing Veterans and their loved ones through involvement, compassion and action.

Tom attended Missouri State University / University of Missouri Springfield/Columbia, MO 1973–79. He earned his B.S. in Political Science. -Graduated cum laude / Full ROTC academic scholarship; MA, Public Administration –Public Finance; Graduate–Command & General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS; A+ Certified, Network+ & Security+ Trained (Certification Pending), MCSE Internet (expired). Tom also served six years active duty United States Army Field Artillery & Logistics; 20 years US Army Reserve, Field Artillery & Logistics. Tom was a commissioned officer –Promoted to the rank of LTC.

Bryan served 23 years in the United States Army as a CH\MH47 Chinook Repairer with his last eight years serving with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). Bryan founded the Night Stalker Heroes Memorial of Savannah Foundation a 501(c)(3) which now falls under The Night Stalker Association Savannah Chapter. Bryan has earned his Associate degree in general studies from Columbia College of Missouri and is currently working on a bachelor’s degree. He also has a certification in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.

Heather was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Leawood, Kansas, where she graduated from Shawnee Mission East in 1986. Heather graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism & Mass Communications at Kansas State University in 1990.

Heather began her professional career in marketing and public relations working at McKinney Chicago, where she worked on many national public relations campaigns. For the next 15 years, she worked with some of Kansas City’s best non-profit organizations, while serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater Kansas City Council on Philanthropy. Following that, Heather began her own marketing firm, Hall Enterprises, where her clients ranged from local small businesses to national corporations. She continues to serve clients on an as-needed basis. Heather is Kansas City, Missouri's councilwoman representing 1st District, which is entirely in Clay County. She is in her second term. Throughout her life, Heather has volunteered for many organizations, such as Junior League of Kansas City, Habitat For Humanity, Head For The Cure, Harvest Ball Society, PTA, church committees, serving as president for her homes association and her children’s sports clubs. Heather believes in supporting the community through public safety, meeting the basic infrastructure needs of our city and supporting small business growth. Heather's husband, Eben, is a United States Marine Veteran and a retired Kansas City, MO Police Sergeant.

Tosombra “Tai” Kimes is an idea generator that displays the true marks of a military brat flower, the dandelion. She’s bloomed wherever planted by the military. While stationed at Fort Bragg,North Carolina, with her husband and children, she earned her Etiquette Certification and opened a community preschool program. She ran that program which held eight different classes, as well as dabbled with other business ideas to include a nonprofit for youth and a marketing firm before moving to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Shortly after her move, she began volunteering in leadership roles with the local schools and local nonprofits.

Tai earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from American InterContinental University. She is a published author and also passionate about advocating for the youth and for military families. She is especially drawn to programs that support kids, women, and caregivers. As a caregiver herself, she is infamous for stating, “The military prepares you for the knock on the door, they do not prepare you for the phone call.”

Tai is a thought leader with 6 years of active military service. She is a caregiver to her husband who served 15 1⁄2 years active duty. His last tour to Afghanistan resulted in severe injuries thatled to his early retirement in 2015.