SBJ Economic Impact Awards: Sold-out awards banquet draws 260 to Tower Club

Springfield Business Journal's fourth annual Economic Impact Awards banquet was a standing-room-only event, drawing a capacity crowd of 260 to the Tower Club July 17. The SBJ awards recognized businesses in five industry categories for their economic impact and singled out one outstanding individual for Lifetime Achievement in Business.

Nominees were judged by an independent panel comprising Pat Calhoon of Smith Barney Inc., Joe Jenkins of Jenkins Diesel Power, Brian King of Ozarks Technical Community College, Mike Williamson of Empire Bank and Jim O'Neal of O&S Trucking.

The 2003 winners of the awards are:

Lifetime Achievement in Business

Charlie O'Reilly, 63, received SBJ's 2003 Lifetime Achievement in Business Award, joining Lifetime Achievement alumni John Q. Hammons (2000), Jack Stack (2001) and Ralph Manley (2002).

O'Reilly is vice chairman of the board for O'Reilly Automotive Inc. and is retired president of O'Reilly Auto Parts, a position he held for 18 years.

O'Reilly was at the helm for much of the company's phenomenal growth and its transition to public ownership. Company sales grew from $7 million in 1975, when O'Reilly became president, to $1.3 billion last year.

In 1993, the year he retired from the presidency, O'Reilly led the company into the NASDAQ market, where it is publicly traded under the ticker symbol ORLY.

O'Reilly attributes the company's success to fellow family members and a professional management team. "I can only take credit for being one of that team," O'Reilly says in his nomination letter.

David O'Reilly is the company's co-chairman and CEO, and Larry O'Reilly is co-chairman and chief operating officer.

Charlie O'Reilly also has received The Missourian Award (2001) and Springfieldian of the Year (1997).

Commercial architecture

Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. celebrates its 25th anniversary as the winner of a 2003 Economic Impact Award.

The firm has grown from three employees in 1978, when Geoffrey Butler founded the firm, to a staff 60 and a payroll of $2.4 million today. Those numbers, as well as current projects including Jordan Valley Park's Expo Center and CoxHealth's Meyer Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, earned the company its Economic Impact Award honor.

The firm's work is not limited to Springfield; projects in progress include Camping World in Bowling Green, Ky.; Embassy Suites in St. Charles and Frisco, Texas; Bass Pro Shops in Destin, Fla.; and the Trenton Performing Arts Center in Trenton, Mo.

Law

In its seven years in Springfield, Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin has grown from two local employees to 38.

Billings during that same time have climbed to $3.94 million, and 2002's billings were 14 percent greater than 2001. Based on first-quarter 2003 billings, which were $1.35 million, the firm expects to bill $5.4 million this year.

While Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin, which has its headquarters in Kansas City, practices in numerous areas, its transactional practice in Springfield is in growth mode, according to its partners. The buying and selling of businesses has a significant impact on the local economy.

Managing partners are David Agee, Virginia Fry, Bob Lawson, Brian Malkmus and Randy Scheer.

Public accounting

Based in Springfield, BKD LLP has 26 offices in 11 states. And all of the revenue it generates throughout the country funnels through its Springfield headquarters.

BKD employs 55 in its corporate administrative offices, which handles the roughly $215 million in annual revenues. There are 145 total employees in the Springfield office. The payroll in its Southern Missouri practice, which comprises Springfield, Branson, Joplin and Pittsburg, Kan., totals $8 million.

BKD was ranked the seventh-largest public accounting firm in the United States last year according to Public Accounting Report's Top 100.

Residential development

Homegrown products Mark Nation and Kent Smith Jr. head Kenmar Construction, a company that stresses renovation work over new construction.

It's a focus that fits in well with a growing trend among homeowners to upgrade what they have instead of building new.

Residential business keeps the full-time field crew of 23 superintendents, carpenters and laborers busy throughout the year. The field crew is supported by an office staff of four.

Kenmar's residential construction is $1 million strong, and the company generates annual payroll of $550,000.

Restaurant/dining

Executives at Paul Mueller Company had their eyes on downtown revitalization when they opened Springfield Brewing Company in 1997.

The move sparked a flame that continues to burn, but the full economic impact is hard to quantify.

What is known is that sales at the Brewing Company have topped $2 million for the last two years as a business lunch spot and an anchor to downtown nightlife.

The site also serves as a showcase for Mueller's signature brewing equipment, drawing visitors from around the world.

Kevin Mackey keeps operations running smoothly at the Brewing Company, which employs 84, including seven managers.