About Curtis
Curtis began his legal career at a litigation firm in Kansas City, where he specialized in product liability defense and other commercial litigation and enjoyed the competitive aspect of litigation following his life-long love of sports. But early on he felt the draw of a hands-on business practice to be a problem-solver lawyer, so after 5 years of depositions, legal writing, and periodic courtroom work, he shifted to an in-house legal career. Curtis has spent the last 25 years in various senior corporate counsel and General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer roles.
Curtis has made a conscious effort to make a difference in the community and in his network outside the office. In 2007, Curtis served as President of the Mid-America Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel. He also proudly served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City for 5 years, including a term as Board President, and a 3-year term serving as a Board member of the Zeitgeist Foundation in Duluth, Minnesota. Away from work, Curtis loves spending time with his wife, adult children, friends, dog, and the outdoors, including being an avid golfer. Golf is one of Curtis’ biggest passions, including golf travel, golf course architecture, and his love of amateur photography.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• Chief Legal Officer, Vice President, & Corporate Secretary – MGP Ingredients/Luxco (Nasdaq: MGPI) - Served as CLO and member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team and Section 16 officer for this leading producer of premium whiskey and other distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions.
• Senior Vice President and General Counsel – Cirrus Aircraft – Famous for being “the plane with the parachute,” Cirrus has revolutionized personal aviation to become the worldwide leader in small aircraft and related maintenance/training services. www.cirrusaircraft.com. Curtis started the Cirrus legal department from scratch and served as a member of the senior executive team. Vanguard Feature
• Vice President, General Counsel – Corbion (formerly CSM) – GC for North American subsidiaries of Dutch parent company conglomerate in bakery products and green biochemicals.
• Assistant General Counsel – Garmin (Nasdaq: GRMN) – #2 lawyer for world leader in GPS and location-based products.
• Corporate Counsel — Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. (Princeton, NJ) — Lead US in-house counsel and member of North American Executive Committee for North American division of an Italian-based pharmaceutical and medical device company focused on radiology products.
• Litigation Attorney – Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice – Associate with litigation-only firm specializing in complex commercial and product liability litigation, including aviation and pharma/medical device.
HONORS | BOARDS | INTERESTS
“40 Under Forty” Honoree – Ingram’s magazine’s special section honoring the most accomplished business and community leaders in the Kansas City region under age 40 (2010)
Association of Corporate Counsel, Mid-America Chapter – Board of Directors (2005-2009), President (2007)
OnCon Icon Award Winner – Top 100 Corporate Counsel through peer-to-peer recognition (2020)
DISCUS (Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.) – Board Member (2024)
Zeitgeist Arts and Community Development – Board of Directors for Duluth-based arts non-profit (2017-2020)
Ronald McDonald House Charities Kansas City – Board of Directors (2011-2015), Board Chair (2015)
Kansas City Business Journal – Contributor on corporate legal subjects (2008-2009)
Golf Digest Top 100 Course Rater Panelist (2023-Present)
