Kansas City’s Central Exchange begins CEO search

A Central Exchange search committee is beginning the work to find a successor to CiCi Rojas, who has been CEO of the women’s professional organization for four years.

Rojas is leaving the networking and education group, commonly known as CX, to work with her husband at their companies, Tico Productions LLC and Tico Sports LLC.

Tico Sports has won a contract to produce and broadcast the Kansas City Chiefs football games in Spanish, and Rojas said she will concentrate on expanding the business to serve other sports teams.

Rojas said she also aims to expand the video, radio and website services offered by Tico Productions.

Her husband, Oscar Monterroso, started the businesses nearly five years ago, and “two years ago, it really started to take off,” Rojas said, “and then we got the Chiefs contract in April. So we feel that this is really a niche business for us.”

Her resignation will be effective after her successor is on board. The Central Exchange board hopes the process will take 90 days or less.

Rojas, who will remain on staff to help with the search and transition, says interest in the position is high. She’s already fielded several inquiries, just a day after the board sent letters to the membership.

She said a successful successor “will be someone who has good, strong relationships with the area’s business and civic leaders, experience with working with a high-functioning board of directors, and the ability to be a team player.

Rojas said she will be reassessing her multiple civic commitments. She serves on the boards of Port KC, Visit KC, Guadalupe Centers, the United Way, the Kansas City Ballet and the national YMCA.

“I don’t know yet what all I can do,” she said. “I love that part of my life. I don’t have a lot of hobbies other than board work, and I truly believe it’s a responsibility to give back when we can.”

This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Kansas City’s Central Exchange begins CEO search."