Great Plains Ventures

Great Plains Ventures (GPV) is a holding company based in Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1968 by Charlie Peer as an aerospace manufacturing business. The original company, Aerospace Systems and Components, remains part of the portfolio; from that basement start the firm has grown over nearly six decades into a diversified investment company spanning manufacturing, commercial real estate and hospitality.

GPV's operating model rests on centralized shared services. The parent provides Human Resources, IT, payroll, accounting and legal functions to its subsidiaries, allowing the individual businesses to concentrate on their own sectors while drawing on a common administrative infrastructure. The portfolio itself is a mix of manufacturing, aerospace, commercial real estate and hospitality organisations.

Leadership is family-led: chief executive Susayn Brandes is the daughter of the founder. The company describes its culture as collaborative and family-oriented, with an emphasis on continuity and growth across generations and on long-standing business relationships - among them a partnership with INTRUST Bank marked in 2024. GPV is headquartered at 3504 N Great Plains St STE 100 in Wichita, and is involved in civic activity including sponsorship of public art installations and community events.