By Frank Jones, American Red Cross
There's something you notice right away about Kenny Lipsmeyer. It's not the firm handshake, though that's there — the kind that speaks of quiet confidence earned over a 55-year career. It's not the quick wit or the twinkle in his eye, though those are never far away either. What you notice first about the president of K+K Veterinary Supply in Springdale, Arkansas, is that he genuinely means what he says.
And what Kenny says and what he has built his life and his company around is simple: Service is our Name.
When Kenny, his brother David, and a friend founded K+K in 1988, that motto wasn't just a marketing slogan. It was a promise. One that echoes the spirit of an early American Red Cross volunteer pledge: "To do my utmost to give unselfish service…." Three people, a portable office building, and a rented 5,000-square-foot warehouse. That was the beginning.
Today, K+K has grown into a thriving, family-owned animal health and farm supply distribution company with about 160 employees, a 160,000-square-foot warehouse, a presence in 18 states, and shipping to 26 total. But the heart of the company hasn't changed.
"Treat people like you want to be treated. You'll have a happy customer most of the time," Kenny says with a smile. "We believe in serving our customers, and we also believe in serving our fellow man and our communities. We feel strongly about the people around us. We give to local food pantries, we support charities, and we distribute goods when they're needed. We just try to show up."
Showing up, it turns out, can mean a lot of things.
On a recent visit, Kenny was found not in his office, but in the warehouse, sleeves rolled up, working on a relief shipment for families devastated by wildfires in Western Oklahoma. "They've lost a lot of animals and need supplies," he explained. "Their fences are down. They don't have water tanks or feeders. So, we're gathering up a shipment to send over right now. We also got some vendors to donate feeders, waterers, fencing, posts, the whole ball of wax." He paused, then added quietly, "Devastation is not good for anybody."
It's the kind of moment that tells you everything about who Kenny Lipsmeyer is.
But Kenny knows something about devastation firsthand.
At 4:04 a.m. on March 30, 2022, an EF-3 tornado tore through Springdale, Arkansas, with wind speeds up to 145 mph, damaging an elementary school, businesses, and homes across the community including Kenny's own. His home was all but destroyed.
"We had a lot of guardian angels rise up at that time," he said, his voice still carrying a note of wonder. "We're just fortunate to be alive. So many people came to help us get our belongings out, were kind enough to give us shelter for a while. It was a good feeling."
The man who had spent decades showing up for others suddenly found himself on the receiving end of that same grace and it only deepened his resolve.
Long before K+K hosted its first blood drive in 2019, the seed of service had already been planted in Kenny's heart.
"I was probably 19 or 20 years old when a plea for blood went out from one of our church members," he recalled. "When I went to give, I had never seen so many people lined up to donate. I thought, 'This is not an uncommon need, maybe I can do this more often.'" He's been giving regularly ever since.
That same spirit, he believes, is a gift he's been entrusted to steward. "God has blessed me with the ability to listen to people, to hear what their needs are, and to hear what they have on the inside," Kenny said. "When that happens, I'm compelled to show some leadership. If that weren't the case, this company wouldn't be what it is today and I hope I never waste it."
Thank you to K+K Veterinary Supply for partnering with the American Red Cross to regularly host blood drives. Your commitment has saved many lives. And thank you, Kenny Lipsmeyer, for living out the words of leadership coach Mark Vallareal every single day: "Great leaders pay it forward."
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