Those in attendance at a Business Class celebration – like the luncheon held at Highland Springs Country Club on June 17 to recognize the 10 finalists of 2016 – understand they are in the presence of greatness. Being in the room is to be surrounded by the top brass of local companies that have achieved excellence in business, innovation, profitability and payback. They are making notable contributions within their own companies, their industries and to the community at large. This special publication, the awards event for finalists and the wine country retreat held in October with five winners all are about trying to capture that greatness and sharing it with the larger business community.
Business Class made its debut four years ago and was born out of a collaboration among UMB Bank, BKD LLP, Lathrop & Gage LLP and Springfield Business Journal. The vision was for a team of professional advisers to come together with those local companies at the top of their game and really get to know them. And what better way is there to make new friends and form lasting relationships than breaking bread together and sharing some wine? Better yet is when all of this takes place in the heart of Napa Valley.
UMB Bank Greater Missouri Region President Ann Marie Baker brought the concept to the Springfield community as an adaptation of UMB endeavors in other markets.
“When we created Business Class with the inaugural class of 2012, this recognition and the Napa Valley retreat were new to the community,” she says. “As the winning companies have been featured and honored these past four years, it seems that this recognition has become well known and valued.
“The alumni of Business Class are clearly an elite group.”
Even more unique than the Business Class recognition and retreat concept are the companies that earn a place on the roster. The 2016 class is made up in equal halves by companies making their first appearance on the list and those returning for a second or third time. (Eligibility rules limit company participation to no more than three years.) Each company represented has a distinctive personality and culture, different but equally dynamic leadership and an exclusive blend of service, talent and expertise. Though, in seeking some points of commonality among Business Class winners, Baker made a key observation.
“Spending time with the leadership of these fantastic companies has made me very aware of a common thread,” she says. “These leaders seem to have an unwavering commitment to their customers as well as to their associates. It seems that the focus on these key constituencies is central to their decision-making in all areas.”
BKD Managing Partner John Wanamaker makes a similar observation.
“The winning companies all seem to have passionate leadership that believe in the mission of their company and believe in taking care of their employees who help accomplish that mission,” he says.
All four Business Class partners are in agreement the opportunity to spend three days in executive retreat with some of the area’s most extraordinary leaders and their spouses helps each of us to more fully understand these stories of greatness that only begin to be told on the pages of Springfield Business Journal.
“Over the years, I have continued to appreciate the value of the economic discussion led by UMB’s Director of Fixed Income Eric Kelley, and the opportunity to participate in the roundtable discussion of current economic and business conditions with our region’s leading business professionals and their spouses,” says Lathrop & Gage Managing Partner Randell Wallace. “The entire experience has reinforced with me that to succeed in business, leaders need to have not only strong partnerships with their accounting, banking and legal team, but also strong partnerships at home as well.”
So, let the festivities begin anew. Let us introduce you to the Business Class finalists and winners of 2016. Cheers to all!
Springfield Business Journal Publisher Jennifer Jackson can be reached at jjackson@sbj.net or by phone at (417) 831-3238.
