Helzberg, Barnett, Jr.
Shirley & Barnett Helzberg Foundation
Former Chairman of the Board at Helzberg Diamonds, a family owned business started in 1915. At the helm since 1962, expanded the company from its then 15 units into the third largest jewelry retailer consisting of 145 units in 23 states by the time it was sold in 1995 to Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett). Founded the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program, a mentoring program by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, which is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Creator of the I Am Loved! theme and now developing a licensing program for the trademark that will provide funding for public TV. Teaching “Achieving Management Excellence” course to MBA students at Rockhurst College.
