SBJ honors outstanding business contributions to local economy

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Approximately 240 businesspeople gathered at The Tower Club July 25 for Springfield Business Journal's third annual Economic Impact Awards.|ret||ret||tab|

Five companies were honored for their contributions to the economic well-being of the Springfield community, and a long-time businessperson was singled out for the Lifetime Achievement In Business Award.|ret||ret||tab|

Profiles of all the 2002 nominees appear in the Economic Impact Awards program, which is inserted in this issue of SBJ.|ret||ret||tab|

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Commercial real estate|ret||ret||tab|

Wilhoit Properties found a prime location in the winner's circle in the commercial real estate category. Founded in 1968 with a focus on property management and development of multifamily housing, Wilhoit expanded into commercial real estate sales and leasing in 1985 under General Manager Ken Schwab. |ret||ret||tab|

Through relationships with such prominent developers as Bill Jester, Morris Dock, John Risdal and Morelock-Ross, the company racked up sales of $25.8 million in 2001 and ended the first quarter of 2002 with nearly $6 million in sales.|ret||ret||tab|

Other finalists in commercial real estate were Rankin Company LLC and R.B. Murray Company.|ret||ret||tab|

Education|ret||ret||tab|

Ozarks Technical Community College took top honors in the education category. Between 1991 and 2001, the number of college-credit-seeking students at OTC rose from 1,100 to 7,500. |ret||ret||tab|

Including its noncredit continuing education courses, GED training and literacy education, OTC serves about 20,000 people a year. |ret||ret||tab|

OTC boasts 335 full-time and 500 part-time employees, and the school's budget this year will be in excess of $30 million. |ret||ret||tab|

Through its various construction projects, OTC has invested approximately $40 million in Springfield's center city. |ret||ret||tab|

Other finalists in education were Drury University and Evangel University.|ret||ret||tab|

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Food service|ret||ret||tab|

Jackson Brothers Vending & Food Service topped the menu as the winner in the food service industry category.|ret||ret||tab|

Jackson Brothers began serving the southwest Missouri market in 1998 and now has 90 employees, more than 20 vending routes and nine caf-enhanced vending locations. Among its largest accounts are Aaron's Automotive, Kraft Foods, Loren Cook Company, Cox Health Systems, St. John's Health System and Fort Leonard Wood.|ret||ret||tab|

Jackson Brothers emphasizes its local connections, going through local providers for its employee benefits, uniform rental, food, bread and carbonated beverages.|ret||ret||tab|

The other finalist in the food service industry was Banta Foods.|ret||ret||tab|

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Recreation|ret||ret||tab|

Wonders of Wildlife, the American National Fish & Wildlife Museum, wowed the Economic Impact Award judges in the recreation category.|ret||ret||tab|

Approximately $36 million was spent on the construction of the interactive wildlife museum, $23 million of which stayed in the local economy. In its first six months, the museum generated about $1.7 million in revenues from all operations, including ticket sales, memberships, museum rental and concessions.|ret||ret||tab|

The museum employs 106 people in 65 full-time and 41 part-time positions. The museum is the vision of John L. Morris, founder and chief executive officer of Bass Pro Shops.|ret||ret||tab|

Other finalists in the recreation category were Discovery Center of Springfield and Lake Country Soccer.|ret||ret||tab|

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Transportation|ret||ret||tab|

O&S Trucking rolled into the top spot as the winner of the transportation category.|ret||ret||tab|

While the trucking industry as a whole is struggling with escalating fuel and insurance costs, O&S Trucking is bucking the trend. The company achieved gross revenue growth to the tune of $8.3 million in 2001 and expects to see an additional $6 million in 2002 to hit projected gross revenues of $47 million.|ret||ret||tab|

Founded in 1981 by President and Chief Executive Officer Jim O'Neal, O&S hauls general commodities to 48 states via its fleet of 303 trucks. The company employs 450 people, 350 of them drivers. Local clients include Reckitt Benckiser, Loren Cook Company and Springfield ReManufacturing Corporation.|ret||ret||tab|

Other finalists in the transportation category were J.Howard Fisk Limousines Inc. and the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport.|ret||ret||tab|

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Lifetime Achievement in Business|ret||ret||tab|

World War II veteran, Springfield city councilman, former home builder and current real estate professional Ralph Manley received the signal honor of the Lifetime Achievement in Business Award. |ret||ret||tab|

During World War II, Manley served as a demolitionist in the Army's 101st Airborne Division and was wounded six times. Upon returning stateside, Manley decided he wanted a home of his own. He built a home, and then ended up selling it, launching a career as a professional home builder.|ret||ret||tab|

A home builder for 54 years, Manley has more than 2,000 homes and 18 subdivisions to his credit.|ret||ret||tab|

He left home building to pursue other interests four years ago.|ret||ret||tab|

These days Manley devotes his time to public service as Zone 3 councilman and to his real estate office on Battlefield Road. |ret||ret||tab|

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