Kurt is a private investor and advisor and has spent most of his career advising and assisting entrepreneurs. From 1997 to 2004, Mueller was the President and CEO of the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, responsible for the Foundation’s initiatives to support entrepreneurs in America. From 1981 to 1997, Mueller was a partner and director of the Entrepreneurial Services practice of Ernst & Young, LLC and its predecessor, Arthur Young. He was responsible for the Entrepreneurial Practices in Kansas City, St. Louis and Wichita. Prior to 1981, he served in several CFO and CEO positions including CEO of a large public retail/mail order company. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Consultant. Mueller serves as a member of the board of directors of six privately held companies and is one of the four organizers and directors of a community bank started three years ago. Mueller is a graduate of the University of North Dakota from which he also received an Honorary Doctor of Letters in 2004.