Friday, April 24, 2026

The real Molly.......not the ngo queen 👸

Molly Bloom, the subject of Molly's Game, has reinvented herself as a sought-after motivational keynote speaker, author, and entrepreneur focusing on women's mentorship. Based on her memoir, she speaks on resilience, risk management, and reinvention, and hosts the podcast Torched regarding Olympic controversies. [1, 2, 3, 4]  
Current Endeavors and Highlights 

• Keynote Speaker: Bloom is a top-booked speaker for corporate events, delivering insights on building a "winning mindset" and entrepreneurship. 
• Podcast Host: She launched Torched, a podcast exploring high-stakes competition and Olympic stories. 
• Mentorship and Advocacy: In 2020, she founded the One World Group to support women facing challenges. 
• Author: Her memoir, Molly's Game, was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film. 
• Personal Life: She is a mother and continues to share her story of rebuilding her life following her arrest. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]  

Common Searches Regarding Her Current Life 

• Molly Bloom speaker fee: Reports indicate her speaking fees can range between $20,000 and $30,000. 
• Molly Bloom podcast: Search for "Torched" podcast to find her discussions on Olympic controversy. 
• Molly Bloom One World Group: Mentorship group aimed at supporting women. [2, 6]  

Bloom has shifted away from the underground poker world to focus on rebuilding, mentorship, and speaking. [4]  

AI responses may include mistakes.




Henry McClure
785.383.9994 

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Fw: See the trend


From: Council Assist <Councilassist@topeka.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2026 2:48 PM
To: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>; Molly Howey <Molly.Howey@topekapartnership.com>; Spencer Duncan <sduncan@topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.9999@blogger.com>; City Clerk <cclerk@Topeka.org>; countyclerk@snco.us <countyclerk@snco.us>; Kevin Cook <kevin.cook@snco.us>; Governing Body <governingbody@topeka.org>
Subject: RE: See the trend
 

Good afternoon Mr. McClure,

Thank you for your message.  This message serves as confirmation that your email has been received by the council members. 

 

 

Tara Jefferies

Sr. Executive Assistant to the City Council

City of Topeka

215 SE 7th St, Room 211D

Topeka, KS 66603

785-368-3710

 

The preceding email message, including any attachments, contains information that may be confidential, protected by the attorney/client or other applicable privileges or that may constitute as non-public information. This message is intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s). If you are not listed as a recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and then delete it from your system. Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this message by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be unlawful. 

 

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From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2026 11:31 AM
To: Molly Howey <molly.howey@topekapartnership.com>; Spencer Duncan <sduncan@topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.9999@blogger.com>; City Clerk <cclerk@topeka.org>; countyclerk@snco.us; Kevin Cook <kevin.cook@snco.us>; Governing Body <governingbody@topeka.org>
Subject: See the trend

 

Notice: -----This message was sent by an external sender-----

 

Yes, all five members of this board (the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority / MTAA Board of Directors, as confirmed by the exact match to the public listing on mtaa-topeka.org) have clear, documented ties to the Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP) ecosystem.

GTP is the umbrella organization that includes (or partners closely with) the Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Go Topeka (economic development), Visit Topeka, Downtown Topeka Inc., and related groups. These connections come through:

  • Leadership Greater Topeka (LGT) — GTP’s flagship leadership development program, which many local business and civic leaders participate in.
  • Direct board/leadership roles in GTP or its partner organizations (e.g., Visit Topeka, GO Topeka, Omni Circle Group).
  • Company memberships, event hosting, awards, and collaborations (especially MTAA’s work with Go Topeka on business attraction, incentives, and airport-related economic development).

Here’s the deep dive on each person, based on public records, GTP/partner websites, news, and organizational documents:

Samuel Sutton (Chair, City Appointee)

  • LGT participant/alum (featured in GTP’s 2023 LGT profiles and TK Business Magazine coverage of the program).
  • As MTAA Chair (and previously listed in board leadership roles), he works directly with GTP/Go Topeka on airport economic development initiatives. MTAA frequently collaborates with Go Topeka and the Partnership on business attraction and regional growth.

Carlos Cortez (Vice Chair, City Appointee)

  • Strongest direct ties: Chair of the Visit Topeka Board (a core GTP partner organization) and listed in the GTP Chairs Council. He has also served in elected director roles and other GTP leadership capacities.
  • Owner of Cortez Transportation Company, which is a longtime member of the Greater Topeka Partnership, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, and Go Topeka. The company has been recognized in Go Topeka small business awards and has hosted GTP “Business Unwind” events.
  • Cortez Transportation explicitly lists membership in the Greater Topeka Partnership and Chamber on its own site and in local directories.

Michael Odupitan (Secretary, City Appointee)

  • Director At-Large / Omni Circle Group representative on the GTP Board of Directors and in GTP’s Momentum 2027 Executive Committee. Also serves as Omni Circle’s rep on related GTP councils (e.g., Small Business Council).
  • LGT participant (featured in GTP/TK Business Magazine LGT coverage).
  • Omni Circle Group (which he founded/CEO) partners directly with Go Topeka on startup/entrepreneurship programs (e.g., Shawnee Startups eCommunity) and aligns with GTP’s equity and economic development goals.

Michael Munson (Member, County Appointee)

  • LGT Class of 2019 alum (explicitly listed in GTP announcements alongside other local leaders).
  • Executive VP/General Counsel at Central National Bank (Topeka branch). His sister, Sara Girard (CNB President/CEO), serves on the Go Topeka board. The bank is deeply embedded in the local business community and participates in Chamber/GTP events.
  • Longtime MTAA leadership (past Chair/vice roles); MTAA’s economic development work overlaps heavily with Go Topeka.

Brian Armstrong (Member, County Appointee)

  • LGT Class of 2006 alum (explicitly noted on his professional profile in connection with Greater Topeka Partnership).
  • Project Manager / leadership role at Bartlett & West (engineering/infrastructure firm). The firm is involved in local development projects and has ties to GTP events and the broader Topeka business network.

Overall Cross-Pollination

  • LGT is the common thread — at least four of the five (Sutton, Odupitan, Munson, Armstrong) are LGT alumni/participants; Cortez’s GTP/Visit Topeka leadership effectively puts him in the same network. LGT is designed to build exactly this kind of cross-sector leadership pipeline for GTP’s economic development priorities.
  • Business and organizational overlap: Cortez Transportation, Central National Bank, Bartlett & West, and Omni Circle are all active participants/members/supporters in the GTP-Chamber-Go Topeka ecosystem (memberships, sponsorships, events, awards, and direct partnerships).
  • MTAA’s role: The airport authority itself collaborates regularly with Go Topeka on business attraction, industrial park development, and incentives — making these board members’ dual involvement in MTAA and GTP natural and mutually reinforcing.

In short, this MTAA board is heavily populated with GTP/LGT-connected business and civic leaders. There is significant “cross-pollination” — the kind you’d expect in a mid-sized city where the same group of engaged professionals rotate through economic development, chamber, and public authority roles. All of this is publicly documented on GTP sites, MTAA records, local news (CJOnline, WIBW, TK Business Magazine), and organizational announcements.

 

 

MCRE, LLC

3625 SW 29th Street

Topeka KS 66614

785.383.9994

on No comments:

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Braxton

As of April 14, 2026, the inspection period for the sale of Hotel Topeka to Endeavor Hotel Group has been extended by 30 days to May 15, 2026, due to negotiations regarding the attached Maner Conference Center. The $1M sale includes $6M in planned renovations, aiming to close in June 2026, while a new 2% sales tax (CID) was approved for the property in March. [1, 2, 3, 4]  
Key Updates: 

• Sale Extension: The inspection period was extended to May 15, 2026, to resolve issues regarding the Maner Conference Center, as reported by WIBW 
. 
• Closing Deadline: The sale is still scheduled to close in June 2026, according to KSNT. 
• New Tax District: A 2% Community Improvement District (CID) tax was approved in March 2026 to help the city recoup investment costs, noted WIBW. 
• Renovation Plans: Endeavor Hotel Group plans to invest $6 million in renovations. [1, 2, 3, 5, 6]  

The city has been working to sell the hotel after purchasing it for $7.6 million in 2023. [6, 7]  

AI responses may include mistakes.




Henry McClure
785.383.9994 

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Notice of Potential Conflict of Interest – MTAA Board Appointment

The real conflict of interest is Molly and the NGO's - Molly runs the board? 

Topeka/Shawnee County - Demand the MTAA be voted in and NOT appointed by the Chamber and the NGO's 

From: Mike Munson
Sent:
To: Mike Munson
Cc: Brenda Younger; City Council; City Council Dist #1; City Council Dist #2; City Council Dist #3; City Council Dist #4; City Council Dist #5; City Council Dist #6; City Council Dist #7; City Council Dist #8; City Council Dist #9; Mayor's Office; Tim Resner; njefferson@topeka.org
Subject: Fw: Notice of Potential Conflict of Interest – MTAA Board Appointment

Notice: -----This message was sent by an external sender-----

Mr. Mayor and Members of the Topeka City Council:

 

I am writing in my capacity as a current member of the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA) Board regarding the proposed appointment of Tony Emerson, which is scheduled for consideration at this evening’s meeting.

 

I want to respectfully raise a potential conflict-of-interest concern for the Council’s awareness and consideration.

 

As you may know, the MTAA is currently involved in active litigation with a company solely owned by Mr. Bob Zibbell. Based on the attached article, it appears that Mr. Emerson and Mr. Zibbell have had prior business dealings.

 

https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/long-planned-residential-neighborhood-opens-home-sales-dec-20/

 

From the above article:  Developer Marsh purchased the project from Bob Zibell and Tony Emerson from Topeka, Kansas. Emerson left his mark on the neighborhood with a street called Emerson Trail.

 

I have not had sufficient time to independently verify the nature, scope, or timing of that relationship, nor whether any such relationship is ongoing.

 

However, given the MTAA’s current litigation posture, even the appearance of a potential conflict or lack of independence could raise legitimate governance concerns. Out of an abundance of caution, I would respectfully suggest that the Council consider pausing to further review and vet any past or present business relationships before proceeding with the appointment.

 

My intent in raising this is not to make any allegations or conclusions, but rather to ensure that any appointment to the MTAA Board is free from actual or perceived conflicts, and that public confidence in the MTAA’s governance and decision-making remains strong.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration, particularly given the short notice.

 

Respectfully,  Mike Munson

MTAA Board Member


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This communication (including any attachments) is intended for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is confidential, privileged or legally protected. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail message and delete all copies of the original communication.


MCRE, LLC
3625 SW 29th Street
Topeka KS 66614
785.383.9994
on No comments:

Re: See the trend

Mr. Odupitan is no longer on the MTAA Board, as Tony Emerson is now a city appointee on the board.

Thank you,

Spencer

Spencer L. Duncan
Mayor, City of Topeka
785-207-8985

From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2026 11:31 AM
To: Molly Howey <molly.howey@topekapartnership.com>; Spencer Duncan <sduncan@topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.9999@blogger.com>; City Clerk <cclerk@topeka.org>; countyclerk@snco.us <countyclerk@snco.us>; Kevin Cook <kevin.cook@snco.us>; Governing Body <governingbody@topeka.org>
Subject: See the trend
 
Notice: -----This message was sent by an external sender-----

Yes, all five members of this board (the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority / MTAA Board of Directors, as confirmed by the exact match to the public listing on mtaa-topeka.org) have clear, documented ties to the Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP) ecosystem.
GTP is the umbrella organization that includes (or partners closely with) the Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Go Topeka (economic development), Visit Topeka, Downtown Topeka Inc., and related groups. These connections come through:
  • Leadership Greater Topeka (LGT) — GTP’s flagship leadership development program, which many local business and civic leaders participate in.
  • Direct board/leadership roles in GTP or its partner organizations (e.g., Visit Topeka, GO Topeka, Omni Circle Group).
  • Company memberships, event hosting, awards, and collaborations (especially MTAA’s work with Go Topeka on business attraction, incentives, and airport-related economic development).
Here’s the deep dive on each person, based on public records, GTP/partner websites, news, and organizational documents:
Samuel Sutton (Chair, City Appointee)
  • LGT participant/alum (featured in GTP’s 2023 LGT profiles and TK Business Magazine coverage of the program).
  • As MTAA Chair (and previously listed in board leadership roles), he works directly with GTP/Go Topeka on airport economic development initiatives. MTAA frequently collaborates with Go Topeka and the Partnership on business attraction and regional growth.
Carlos Cortez (Vice Chair, City Appointee)
  • Strongest direct ties: Chair of the Visit Topeka Board (a core GTP partner organization) and listed in the GTP Chairs Council. He has also served in elected director roles and other GTP leadership capacities.
  • Owner of Cortez Transportation Company, which is a longtime member of the Greater Topeka Partnership, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, and Go Topeka. The company has been recognized in Go Topeka small business awards and has hosted GTP “Business Unwind” events.
  • Cortez Transportation explicitly lists membership in the Greater Topeka Partnership and Chamber on its own site and in local directories.
Michael Odupitan (Secretary, City Appointee)
  • Director At-Large / Omni Circle Group representative on the GTP Board of Directors and in GTP’s Momentum 2027 Executive Committee. Also serves as Omni Circle’s rep on related GTP councils (e.g., Small Business Council).
  • LGT participant (featured in GTP/TK Business Magazine LGT coverage).
  • Omni Circle Group (which he founded/CEO) partners directly with Go Topeka on startup/entrepreneurship programs (e.g., Shawnee Startups eCommunity) and aligns with GTP’s equity and economic development goals.
Michael Munson (Member, County Appointee)
  • LGT Class of 2019 alum (explicitly listed in GTP announcements alongside other local leaders).
  • Executive VP/General Counsel at Central National Bank (Topeka branch). His sister, Sara Girard (CNB President/CEO), serves on the Go Topeka board. The bank is deeply embedded in the local business community and participates in Chamber/GTP events.
  • Longtime MTAA leadership (past Chair/vice roles); MTAA’s economic development work overlaps heavily with Go Topeka.
Brian Armstrong (Member, County Appointee)
  • LGT Class of 2006 alum (explicitly noted on his professional profile in connection with Greater Topeka Partnership).
  • Project Manager / leadership role at Bartlett & West (engineering/infrastructure firm). The firm is involved in local development projects and has ties to GTP events and the broader Topeka business network.
Overall Cross-Pollination
  • LGT is the common thread — at least four of the five (Sutton, Odupitan, Munson, Armstrong) are LGT alumni/participants; Cortez’s GTP/Visit Topeka leadership effectively puts him in the same network. LGT is designed to build exactly this kind of cross-sector leadership pipeline for GTP’s economic development priorities.
  • Business and organizational overlap: Cortez Transportation, Central National Bank, Bartlett & West, and Omni Circle are all active participants/members/supporters in the GTP-Chamber-Go Topeka ecosystem (memberships, sponsorships, events, awards, and direct partnerships).
  • MTAA’s role: The airport authority itself collaborates regularly with Go Topeka on business attraction, industrial park development, and incentives — making these board members’ dual involvement in MTAA and GTP natural and mutually reinforcing.
In short, this MTAA board is heavily populated with GTP/LGT-connected business and civic leaders. There is significant “cross-pollination” — the kind you’d expect in a mid-sized city where the same group of engaged professionals rotate through economic development, chamber, and public authority roles. All of this is publicly documented on GTP sites, MTAA records, local news (CJOnline, WIBW, TK Business Magazine), and organizational announcements.


MCRE, LLC
3625 SW 29th Street
Topeka KS 66614
785.383.9994
on No comments:
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