About 260 people attended Springfield Business Journal's 2011 Economic Impact Awards, held last night at Drury University's O'Reilly Family Event Center.
In a surprise announcement, Jennifer Jackson was named publisher and CEO of SBJ Publishing Inc., succeeding her mother Dianne Elizabeth Osis, who will stay on as president and chairwoman.
Jackson, formerly the associate publisher, joined the SBJ staff in January 2007.
She previously spent 10 years at Ozarks Technical Community College as a teacher and administrator.
Osis founded Springfield Business Journal in July 1980 and celebrated 31 years of business news in conjunction with the 12th annual Economic Impact Awards. SBJ was originally known as TOPS Journal, or The Ozarks Pulse, but was changed to SBJ in 1983. SBJ Publishing launched the Joplin Tri-State Business Journal in 2005.
Several awards were given to individuals and companies for their economic impact on the Springfield area community.
Bill Darr, founder of American Dehydrated Foods Inc., received the 2011 Lifetime Achievement in Business Award, joining the ranks of Sam Hamra, Jack Stack, John Q. Hammons and
others.
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce was honored as the 2011 Business Advocate of the Year.
Junior League of Springfield won the top honor for Philanthropic Business of the Year. Finalists were Bank of America and Children's Miracle Network.
For the Rooks category - companies that have been operating locally for one to five years - O'Reilly Hospitality Management LLC took the top honor. Arvest Bank and Springfield First Community Bank were finalists.
Integrity Home Care won the Bishops category, for companies that have been operating locally for six to 15 years. Finalists were Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. LLC and Liberty Bank.
Companies that have been operating locally for 16 to 29 years were honored in the Knights category, with Citizens Memorial Healthcare winning the top honor. Ozarks Technical Community College and Penmac Staffing Services Inc. were finalists.
Family Pharmacy Inc. took home the top honor in the Kings category, for businesses operating locally for 30 or more years. Drury University and Jack Henry & Associates Inc. were finalists.
For the full Economic Impact Awards honoree overview, look to the July 22 Early Friday Digital Edition and the July 25 print edition of the Springfield Business Journal.[[In-content Ad]]
