The fast-growing Leawood firm becomes part of a platform company designed to help midsize businesses flourish. It helps that the platform, called Ascend, is backed by a private equity firm with about $15 billion in assets.

Creative Planning's fifth acquisition this year brought $1 billion in assets to the firm and a new location in the Philadelphia area. The acquired firm brings a lot of business with high-net-worth investors.

The Overland Park company sees the deal for the aircraft management business of Wheels Up Experience not only boosting Airshare's work in that area, but also uplifting the rest of the company. "This is going to help us grow on the fractional side, the charter side and the maintenance side," CEO John Owen says.

The Overland Park company sees the deal for the aircraft management business of Wheels Up Experience not only boosting Airshare's work in that area, but also uplifting the rest of the company. "This is going to help us grow on the fractional side, the charter side and the maintenance side," CEO John Owen says.

Layoffs meant to bolster a company can instead erode its culture and reputation if mishandled, area HR experts said.

Layoffs meant to bolster a company can instead erode its culture and reputation if mishandled, area HR experts said.