Troy Carlson
Overview
Troy Carlson is the founder and CEO of Initiatives Inc., a consulting firm that works with Kansas City government and major businesses in the area. He's deeply connected to the Kansas City development landscape and is spearheading a DAO project to revitalize and rebrand Kansas City as a global innovation hub. Troy was introduced to Gary through Ian Wylie Hedrick on May 20, 2025, during a discussion about Kansas City development opportunities and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Background & Professional Details
- Founder and CEO of Initiatives Inc.
- Provides high-level consulting across Kansas City for city government and major businesses
- Well-connected to key stakeholders and decision-makers in Kansas City
- Has been in Kansas City for approximately 20 years
- Has a degree in philosophy
- Previously worked on a project for Cliff Healy (multibillionaire, co-founder and former CEO of Cerner)
- Leading the Kansas City DAO initiative to transform the city's reputation and economic development
Professional Focus
- Economic development for Kansas City
- Workforce development and talent attraction
- Blockchain/DAO technology for civic engagement and economic growth
- Positioning Kansas City as a global innovation hub
- Building transparent, decentralized governance models
- Connecting Kansas City to international investment and development networks
Connection to Gary
- Introduced by Ian Wylie Hedrick on May 20, 2025
- Shared interest in city development and innovation
- Potential collaboration on World Cup development and broader Kansas City initiatives
- Invited Gary to visit Kansas City to explore opportunities
- Mutual interest in faith-based development and community building
Personal Insights
- Married to the daughter of a second-generation Methodist minister
- Describes himself as spiritual but not strictly doctrinal
- Values transparency and decentralized decision-making
- Concerned about centralized authority and prefers meritocratic systems
- Intellectually curious with a philosophical approach to problem-solving
- Open to new ideas while maintaining core values
Potential Collaboration Areas
- Kansas City DAO/collective development
- World Cup-related infrastructure and events
- Faith-based initiatives and festivals
- Talent attraction and education innovation in Kansas City
- City development and revitalization projects
- Connection to high-net-worth investors and family offices
Key Quotes
"Kansas City is representative of the country writ large. We're not a red city. We're not a blue city. We're a purple city."
"Kansas City is a remarkable place. You have to see to believe."
"The problem with the DAO, the problem the DAO solves is there's too much talent in Kansas City that are left out of the narrative."
"We need a transparent, immutable contract that people that when they come in, they know those rules are not going to get screwed up."
Interactions
- 2025-05-20: Initial video call with Gary and Ian Wylie Hedrick. Discussed Kansas City development opportunities, the DAO project, and possibilities around the 2026 World Cup and other initiatives. Invited Gary to visit Kansas City to explore collaboration opportunities.
Transcripts
| Transcript ID | Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-20-kansas-city-world-cup-opportunity | 2025-05-20 | Discussion about Kansas City development opportunities, World Cup 2026, DAO initiatives, and potential collaborations |
Next Steps
- Share Kansas City DAO presentation deck with Gary
- Set up a visit for Gary to Kansas City
- Introduce Gary to key stakeholders in the Kansas City network
- Explore specific project opportunities for collaboration
- Continue discussion about faith-based initiatives and festivals