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2020 Men of the Year: Ron Bogart

Gold Mechanical Inc.

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When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Ron Bogart’s leadership took center stage.

As president of Gold Mechanical Inc., he says his biggest challenge and proudest accomplishment was helping employees across four states continue working in essential roles for the mechanical contracting company.

“They were uncertain, afraid and unclear as to how to respond,” Bogart says. “I had to communicate a sense of courage and confidence to influence these men and women to show up every day and work in risky areas, like health care facilities, to prepare for the wave.

“Out of the 130 people, we had 128 show up every day and weekends and now we are back to 100%.”

It wasn’t the first time his leadership skills had been proven. In 2014, he led the effort at Gold Mechanical to transition from a 25-year-old sole proprietorship to an employee stock ownership plan. He said at the time it was a way for retiring founder Dwain Gold to give back to the people who helped make his company a success. The following year, Bogart became president.

That success has continued. In 2019, he says the company with 150 employees across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma recorded revenue of $34.4 million.

Through the pandemic, Bogart also has focused on giving back. His family’s business, natural skin care provider Jordan Essentials, has donated 130,298 meals to Feeding America in just five months.

Bogart is an owner and board member of the Nixa company his wife, Nancy, founded, and he served six years as CEO until 2008. During his tenure, Jordan Essentials was named the fifth-fastest growing company in the state by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In addition to his quick work to help feed people in need this year, Bogart has served the community through renovating local schools with James River Church, disaster response with Convoy of Hope and volunteer projects with Ozarks Food Harvest.

In the past few years, he also has served as a mentor with the Architecture, Construction and Engineering Mentor Program, better known as ACE. He says he visits area high schools to introduce students to building trades. And from 2017-19, he coached students two days a month for local competitions.

Investing in students is part of Bogart’s DNA. In 2009, he launched the online adult business degree program at Evangel University while serving as an adjunct professor. He left the university in 2018 but notes the program continues to thrive.

Outside of the office, Bogart is an avid runner. He’s competed in several marathons and triathlons. He says a high point was in 2018 running 50 miles in 9 hours and 40 minutes to celebrate his 50th birthday. That drive is evident throughout his life. He blogs at LegionOfLongevity.com about his desire to stay in the game until the end.

“My life goal is to never retire,” he says. “My mission is to be a resource and not a burden to my family, community, business and friends until the good Lord calls me home.”

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