Spring 2013
Hustle & Bustle Highlight Stockyards Deluxe Truck Stop is at The Center of The industrial Commotion
Triumph expands again St. Joseph’s Second-largest employer expands Twice in Two Years
St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
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Ground Broken For Two New Elementary Schools
Monday, May 6, 2013, was a historic day for the St. Joseph School District. After 40 long years, officials broke ground on two new elementary schools. “This is the end of the dreaming and visioning phase and the beginning of the building phase,” said Superintendent Dr. Melody Smith. “The true evidence that this isn’t just a dream will be when students arrive.” The main ceremony was held at 16th and Duncan streets, where one of the new schools will be built. “When I was a kid, I knew this area as Devil’s Backbone,” said Dr. Dan Colgan, President of the St. Joseph School District Board. “Now it’s God’s Heaven for little children.” The school at 16th and Duncan is at the top of a hill that many St. Joseph adults spent their childhoods
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New Online MBA Program Launched
A Master of Business Administration degree is one of the most sought-after degrees in the world by professionals. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, MBA holders could earn an estimated additional $400,000 throughout their career. In April, American College of Technology (ACOT) launched its
sliding down in the snowy winters. It has a beautiful scenic view that will be seen from inside the school via a window wall, said Chris Danford, School Board member. The other new school will be at Cook and Bishop roads on the northeast part of town. “Thank you to our citizens for showing our children how important neighborhood schools are,” Dr. Colgan said. Mayor Bill Falkner attended the ceremony and made the day officially “St. Joseph School District Recognition Day.” “Thank you, St. Joseph, for finally investing in yourself,” he said. “We can brag statewide that we’re not going to build just one school, but two new schools!”
BusinessBriefs
MBA program with career-focused concentrations. Corporate employees and professionals are encouraged to apply. ACOT is offering a tuition match of up to 25 percent of corporate tuition reimbursement. The classes are 100 percent online, allowing employees to keep a regular schedule while achieving a higher level of education that will enhance their performance in the workplace. For more information, visit acot.edu.
St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
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BUSINESS JOURNAL INDEX Economic Update................................................................................4 IHP Celebrates 90 Years In St. Joseph & Beyond..............................5 Leaders Advocate For The Future of 139th Airlift Wing....................6 Triumph Foods Grows Again..............................................................8 Record Crowd Learns About Link Between Agriculture & Health....9 Hustle & Bustle Highlight Stockyards Area.......................................10 Business Briefs....................................................................................12
Member Profile: Scholar and Warrior Kenpo Academy...............13 Top Employer Profile: LifeLine Foods..........................................14 Downtown Digest..........................................................................15 Small Business Matters..............................................................16-17 Government In Brief......................................................................18 Parties on the Parkway Celebrates Music & Parks.......................19
A publication of the St. Joseph Metro Chamber. Published May 18, 2013. Content by Kristi Bailey, unless otherwise noted. Administration
R. Patt Lilly
President & CEO plilly@@saintjoseph.com 816.232-4485
Shannon Jobes
Vice President, Administration jobes@saintjoseph.com 816.364.4111
Kristi Bailey
Director of Communications bailey@saintjoseph.com 816.364.4108
Maryann Skiles
Receptionist, Administrative Assistant
3003 Frederick Ave. 816.232.4461 or 800.748.7856
skiles@saintjoseph.com 816.232.4461
Economic Development
Steve Hamilton
Senior Vice President, Economic Development hamilton@saintjoseph.com 816.364.4106
Community Alliance of Saint Joseph
Membership
Brad Lau
Director of Business Development blau@saintjoseph.com 816.364.4110
Mary Brown
Project Manager, Administrative Assistant brown@saintjoseph.com 816.364.4102
816.364.4873 (fax) www.saintjoseph.com
Natalie Redmond
Vice President, Member Relations redmond@saintjoseph.com 816.364.4107
Keisha Holtman
Steve Johnston
Administrative Assistant, Membership holtman@saintjoseph.com 816.364.4101
Director of Community Alliance of Saint Joseph johnston@saintjoseph.com 816.364.4109
2013 St. Joseph Metro Chamber BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman Chair-Elect
Vern Middleton Midwest Federal
Secretary/Treasurer
James Carolus Hillyard Companies
Dr. Mark Laney Heartland Health
Directors John Bosman, American Family Insurance Brian Bradley, St. Joseph News-Press Barbara Burns, B.J. Office Products Inc. Mike Decker, Apple Market Bernd Eichenmueller, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Bill Falkner, City of St. Joseph Tim Knapp, Tim Knapp Construction Co. Corky Marquart, Commerce Bank Todd Meierhoffer, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory Byron Myers, Sr., City of St. Joseph Col. Mike Pankau, 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard
Matt Robertson, CliftonLarsonAllen Stet Schanze, Gray Manufacturing Co., Inc. Larry Stobbs, South St. Joseph Progressive Association Kylee Strough, United Way of Greater St. Joseph R.T. Turner, Buchanan County Bob Wollenman, Deluxe Truck Stop LLC Mark Woodbury, General Counsel, Polsinelli Shughart P.C. Brad McAnally, Past Chair, Hy-Vee Food Stores Janice Keith, Diplomats Club Representative, Holiday Inn Conference Center Jennifer Pellersels, LEAD Representative, Altec Industries, Inc.
St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
Top 10 Employers Heartland Health Triumph Foods, LLC School District of St. Joseph Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. American Family Insurance Wal-Mart Missouri Western State University System & Services Technologies, Inc. The Hillshire Brands Company Johnson Controls
4
EconomicUpdate
Health Services Meat Products Education Animal Pharmaceuticals
3,866 2,838 1,882 838
Insurance Department Store Education Financial Services
820 785 720 720
Meat Products Manufacturing
700 697
Demographics
St.Joseph
business... by the good better life ! umbers
Unemployment
(March)
Population Housing units
76,780 32,495
St. Joseph Missouri
5.7 percent 6.7 percent
Average family size
3
United States
7.6 percent
Career Fair Helps Job Seekers
The largest annual career fair in Northwest Missouri was held on April 16 at the Civic Arena. More than 1,200 job seekers attended the St. Joseph Career and Resource Fair to talk with 75 hiring businesses, 16 educational providers and 30 social service resources. The St. Joseph Employment Coalition plans this event. The St. Joseph Metro Chamber is a part of the St. Joseph Employment Coalition and helps with the event’s organization. 75005045
St. Joseph Business journal
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IHP Celebrates 90 Years In Business In St. Joseph & Beyond From humble beginnings in the basement of the Missouri Valley Trust building, to two locations in the Midwest, IHP Industrial Inc. has spent 90 years growing its family business. IHP offers full mechanical contracting services, custom pipe fabrication, and plant maintenance and shutdown services. It handles complex projects across the United States from its offices in St. Joseph, Mo., and Little Rock, Ark. In May 1923, E.L. Fitzpatrick and A.E. Ringer started Industrial Heating and Plumbing with $500 and one Ford car. They spent the next several years working on projects near home. The company got its big break in 1934, when it was awarded a heating and plumbing contract for a large construction camp at the Fort Peck Dam in Montana. The success of this project was a turning point for the company. Early on, during World War II, IHP headquarters sent work crews all across America to work at military air bases and at naval yards. IHP earned the Army-Navy “E” Award for excellence for its contribution to the war effort. The second generation of Fitzpatrick men, Robert Fitzpatrick, Sr., and his brother Ed Fitzpatrick, Jr., came into the company after the war and propelled the company to its prominent position in a variety of construction industry specialty fields. “We were very lucky to have two fathers that were really intelligent, worked hard every day and were successful,” said Bob Fitzpatrick, Secretary/Treasurer. He and his cousin Dan Fitzpatrick, President, lead IHP. Bob and Dan, and their brothers John and David, grew up at IHP. In 1953, IHP moved its operations to its current location at Eighth and Duncan streets. John and David lead the Little Rock office that opened in 1972 as a result of IHP’s extensive work on locks and dams along the Arkansas River Waterway. IHP broadened its activity worldwide in 1975. Along with Green
Construction Company, IHP began working on the complete mechanical, electrical and equipment installation for the Royal Saudi Navy at the Port of Dammam on the Arabian Gulf. Throughout the company’s 90year history, its leaders have been proud that they’ve been competitive and responsible in their business dealings. IHP’s slogan has long been “Promises Performed.” “That’s still true today,” Dan said. “We’ve never failed to complete a contract.” The company has been fortunate throughout the years with a highly-skilled workforce both in the field, as well as the office. Many have spent their entire working careers at IHP and that experience is appreciated by customers. Bob said IHP is competitive with projects involving industrial plants because of its larger, experienced workforce. IHP currently employs 168 people. Dan said IHP’s employees work on process piping at food processing plants, power plants and other manufacturing facilities. It also completes commercial heating, cooling and plumbing. It has a very highly skilled plumbing and HVAC service department. An example of a current St Joseph project is the new, state-of-the-art Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Consolidated Packaging and Physical Distribution Warehouse in Eastowne Business Park. “We’ve been through a variety of economic cycles in 90 years,” Bob said. “The trick is being able to keep the doors open in the lean years, as well as the busy years. Just in the past 25 years we have survived at least five major swings.” The company changed its name in 1985 to help grow its business. At the time Industrial Heating and Plumbing was bidding on a lot of military contracts. IHP Industrial Inc. seemed like a better fit and the name change helped the business secure larger contracts, Dan said. The third generation of
Top: Dan and Bob Fitzpatrick stand in front of their family-owned business that is celebrating its 90-year anniversary this month. Middle: Bob Fitzpatrick remembers climbing through the pipe on the left of the front door as a child. Bottom: Interesting pipes adorn one of IHP’s builidngs. Fitzpatricks has plans to continue IHP far into the future. “We’d like to pursue some alternative energy projects,” Dan said. “We’re currently working on two
hydroelectric power plants on the Ohio River. We think hydroelectric power will be a growth market for us.”
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Leaders Advocate For The Future Of 139th Airlift Wing needs. But this year, the group focused solely on showing its support for the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard. “On previous Washington, D.C. Fly-In events, it was not uncommon for us to select six to eight areas of focus,” said Steve Johnston, Director of the Community Alliance of Saint Joseph, who coordinated the event. “In 2013, we chose to capitalize on our strengths and focus on the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, and a natural parallel, Missouri River levees. We are fortunate that Major Gen. Stephen L. Danner, Missouri’s Adjutant General, was chosen as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Guard Association of the United Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., visits with St. Joseph Metro Chamber members, government States (NGAUS) on Nov. 22, 2012. officials and members of the 139th Airlift Wing at the Chamber on March 29. This Additionally, Gen. Frank J. Grass, meeting was a follow-up to the Washington, D.C. Fly-In. a native of Missouri, is Chief of the In 2005, citizen-led efforts National Guard Bureau and a member helped keep bases in Delaware and Commercial & Residential Services of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This South Carolina open in the face of combination prompted us to pursue BRAC cuts, Col. Pankau said. opportunities at the Pentagon and “The Chamber and the City of Landscape NAGUS. Equally important, Missouri St. Joseph support the Guard more Design / Build Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy than anything I’ve ever seen,” Col. Blunt are both on the Armed Services Pankau said. “If it comes down to Lawn & Landscape Committee.” community support, I have nothing Maintenance Immediately upon arriving in to worry about. There’s not a day that Washington, D.C., the delegation goes by where I don’t talk with the Lawn & Landscape traveled to the Pentagon to meet with City Manager, Sheriff, Mayor, Public Applications Lt. Gen. Joe L. Lengyel, Vice Chief, Works Director or someone with the National Guard Bureau and Brig. Chamber.” Irrigation Gen. Bruce Prunk. They discussed the The economic impact the Guard economic impact the Wing has on the has on St. Joseph and the Northwest Hardscapes Northwest Missouri region and how Missouri region is significant – more the area will support the Guard in the than $148 million annually. This future. This is in preparation for the number includes salaries, training and Snow & Ice potential 2015 Base Realignment and construction. Management Closure Commission (BRAC) cuts. “The 139th represents a major The group traveled to Capitol employer in St. Joseph as well as a Parking Lot Sweeping Hill and spoke with Sen. Roy Blunt, source of pride for the community,” Sen. Claire McCaskill and Rep. Sam said R. Patt Lilly, President and CEO Graves on Wednesday. The focus of of the St. Joseph Metro Chamber. these discussions remained about “Their impact to the local economy is the 139th Airlift Wing, with the felt in their payroll, their purchase of Like us - facebook.com/alcinc Follow us - twitter.com/archerlawncare topic shifting slightly to support for local goods and services, as well as Missouri River levees that affect the from the expenditures of out-of-town www.archerlawncare.com 816-279-7200 Guard. air crews who come to St. Joseph for
In St. Joseph, the Missouri Air National Guard is more than just another valued employer -- it is a source of pride. Its residents feel so strongly about keeping the 139th Airlift Wing in its community that a group of 25 business and community leaders went to the Pentagon and Capitol Hill in March to defend it from possible cuts in the future. “The strength of the National Guard is that it’s embedded in the community,” said Col. Mike Pankau, Commander of the 139th Airlift Wing. “I know of no other community that supports the National Guard more than St. Joseph does.” The St. Joseph Metro Chamber has led a delegation to Washington, D.C., for 15 years to talk with federal legislators about the needs of St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri. Those discussions always included multiple issues, like public safety, communication and infrastructure
75004654
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St. Joseph Business journal tactical training.” Keeping the Guard in St. Joseph is very important. “Our goal is to maintain and grow operations within the 139th Airlift Wing,” Mr. Johnston said. The delegation spoke about the 139th Airlift Wing’s needs and desires, which include acquiring C-130J aircraft to maintain a commonality of aircraft with the active duty. It also hopes to add the legacy C-130 Weapons Instructor Course to the portfolio of its Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC). This course provides Ph.D. level leadership and tactics training to the airlift fleet. The Wing would also like to obtain a C-130 simulator. Since St. Joseph is home to the AATTC, it makes St. Joseph one of the largest concentrations of C-130 pilots without a simulator. Col. Pankau thinks the support voiced during the Washington, D.C., Fly-In will make a difference. Just
Spring 2013 two weeks after the Fly-In, Sen. Blunt visited St. Joseph and discussed the 139th Airlift Wing’s objectives. “The 139th Airlift Wing is vital to the St. Joseph community and to America’s military readiness and preparedness,” said Sen. Blunt. “That’s why I was pleased to hear the Air Force heeded my calls and decided to send additional C-130 aircraft to Rosecrans to support the 139th’s training and mission requirements.” Col. Pankau said he trusts the St. Joseph leaders will not forget about the Airlift Wing’s plight. “I know that the Fly-In is a tradition,” he said. “They’ll follow up. They won’t forget.” The federal legislators know that as well. “I enjoy meeting with constituents when they visit Washington, and welcoming the St. Joseph Chamber each year is always a highlight,” said Rep. Graves. “Your visits do make a difference.”
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Senators Jointly Support Local Air Guard Expansions U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, who serve together as members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged the U.S. Air Force on April 16 to provide the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph with a C-130 simulator. In a letter to Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh, the Missouri senators noted that the simulator facility would “achieve considerable cost savings to the taxpayer” as well as “serve as an effective and comprehensive” training complement to the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center’s (AATTC) “current development and testing work.” “The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC) has one of the largest concentrations of C-130 crewmembers in the country,
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and this critical training tool would save taxpayer dollars while greatly benefitting the 139th Airlift Wing’s combat readiness,” said Sen. Blunt. “The men and women of the 139th and the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center are no strangers to the critical work that strengthens our national security,” said Sen. McCaskill. “This tool would allow them to maximize their training, while saving American tax dollars—a win-win.” Last month, Sen. Blunt and Sen. McCaskill also encouraged the Air Force to consider assigning additional C-130 aircraft at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base. In response, the Air Force has stationed 11 C-130 aircraft at the 139th Airlift Wing.
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St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
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Triumph Foods Grows Again In Multi-Million Dollar Expansion
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For the second time in two years, Triumph Foods plans to embark on an expansion of its St. Joseph plant — this one pegged at $7.5 million. Triumph officials released on May 9 that global market growth for premium pork products and additional opportunities for meat processing are leading to the investment. Officials said the company recently began work on various capital projects to increase its processing capacity. Those projects will include an 11,000-square-foot expansion of the facility and equipment investments in the sectors of production, packaging and storage. Throughout the year, Triumph will add 105 people to its current workforce of about 2,800 employees as part of the new capital investment program. Local contractors and equipment manufacturers in the St. Joseph area will benefit, officials added, by contributing to the expansion and installation of processing and product-handling technology.
“We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from the community, City of St. Joseph and State of Missouri which, along with the tremendous efforts of our outstanding employees, has helped fuel our success,� said Triumph Chief Executive Officer Rick Hoffman. No other details on the expansion were made available by Triumph. The expansion comes in the wake of a $10 million investment that Triumph announced in October for the construction of a 30,000-squarefoot addition. That project created 30 jobs and more refrigerated space. Its construction is continuing into this year. Operations at Triumph began in January 2006, with the company becoming a leading exporter of premium pork products. The company typically spends from $3 million to $5 million yearly on equipment updates and other improvements.
St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
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Record Crowd Learns About Link Between Agriculture & Health By Jessica Jackson, St. Joseph Metro Chamber Intern
National Ag Day is a day to celebrate and recognize the abundance provided by agriculture. St. Joseph honored the day by gathering at the ninth annual Farm City Breakfast, hosted by the St. Joseph Metro Chamber. The event saw record numbers this year with 340 farmers, business owners and community members in attendance. Every year, the St. Joseph Agribusiness Committee honors one individual for outstanding contributions to the agriculture community. The 2013 Ag Hall of Fame recipient was Dave Cox. “Thanks for this award, it’s very humbling. I’m just doing my job,� Mr. Cox said. Since 1984, Mr. Cox has been an active member of the St. Joseph Agribusiness Committee, serving as chair for two of those years. As a member of this committee, he recognized the importance of encouraging young people to develop leadership skills in the field of agriculture. For the past 14 years, Mr. Cox has served as community coordinator for the Agriculture Future of America program. During these years, this committee of dedicated and determined local leaders has facilitated funding of 82 college scholarships, valued at approximately $400,000, to graduating high school seniors seeking careers in agriculture or ag-related fields. Mr. Cox is proud of the committee’s dedication to these future leaders of America’s agricultural community. “It’s not a one-man show, it’s teamwork,� Mr. Cox said about the work done by the committee for the Agriculture Future of America program. Guest speaker Thomas Payne, Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri, enlightened the crowd on the significant role agriculture plays
in the future of health and medicine. “Agriculture -- I consider it the mother of all sciences.� Mr. Payne said. He discussed advancements that have been made in farming from the past to the More than 340 people in the agriculture industry attended the ninth annual Farm City Breakfast on present. Mr. March 15, 2013, at Central Christian Church. Payne pointed and cows for various medical reasons. victims. out that the Recently Mr. Payne was the Mr. Payne closed the morning size of the farm has not changed a recipient of a “cow valve.� The with a very important thought: “Where lot, but what goes on at the farm aortic valve is made out of a cow’s you have a nickel to spend, invest it has; from the diversity of beef, to the perichondria tissue. Aortic valves can on a young person’s education.� development of soybean variety. The be replaced with pig valves. The pig’s advancements in technology have made it possible for farmers to receive skin can also be used to treat burn more per bushel than they could 10 or 20 years ago. Kody Keesaman, a farmer from Ž Osborn, Mo., enjoyed Mr. Payne’s speech. “All the speakers give a breath of fresh air,� Mr. Keesaman said of the Farm City Breakfast. He has attended the event all nine years. Mr. Payne also spoke of the ways plants can be cultivated to manage obesity and the ways to t 8JEF 3BOHF PG 1SPEVDUT 4FSWJDFT t 3FUJSFNFOU *ODPNF "OBMZTJT develop plants that aid the body’s ability to overcome insulin resistance. t 'JYFE 7BSJBCMF "OOVJUJFT t -JGF *OTVSBODF t .VUVBM 'VOET Science and technology are essential t )FBMUI *OTVSBODF t , 3PMMPWFST t .FEJDBM 4VQQMFNFOU in keeping the farmers of the Midwest t %JTBCJMJUZ *OTVSBODF t -POH 5FSN $BSF producing the best products possible. When speaking on these subjects, Mr. Payne noted to the crowd that saving lives comes out of agriculture. This is what agriculture has come to, he said. It is not just a basic science anymore. Mr. Payne has been working on Curtis J. Behrend, FIC Cody F. Vaughn, FIC many different research projects to 'JOBODJBM 3FQSFTFOUBUJWF 'JOBODJBM 3FQSFTFOUBUJWF aid in the advancement of agriculture. 0GmDF 8 $FMM 73 0GmDF $FMM (.BSZWJMMF .0 BOE TVSSPVOEJOH BSFB) 4U JPTFQI .0 BOE TVSSPVOEJOH BSFB) Some of his research includes human health and preventative medicine, Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, 800-847-4836, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary testing why frozen embryos don’t of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. 5ISJWFOU 'JOBODJBM SFQSFTFOUBUJWFT BSF SFHJTUFSFE SFQSFTFOUBUJWFT PG 5ISJWFOU transplant, and the idea of using pigs *OWFTUNFOU .BOBHFNFOU *OD 5IFZ BSF BMTP MJDFOTFE JOTVSBODF BHFOUT PG 5ISJWFOU 'JOBODJBM
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St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
Hustle & Bustle Highlight Stockyards Area
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Deluxe Truck Stop Is A Center of Activity
Trucks line up to deliver grain to Ag Processing Inc. Many trucks that haul grain and livestock to local businesses have visited Deluxe Truck Stop. Owner Bob Wollenman is shown in the picture below.
B
usiness is booming along the Stockyards Expressway. Skeptical? Just take a drive or ask Bob
Wollenman, General Manager of Deluxe Truck Stop L.L.C. “We’ve probably already done 15 washes so far this morning,” Mr. Wollenman said at about 10:30 a.m. on a recent Tuesday morning. Mr. Wollenman’s business is one that has seen growth in recent years because of increased production and expansion of other businesses in the Stockyards area. “As my neighbors have grown, we’ve benefitted,” he said. Employees at Deluxe Truck Stop do more than 20,000 interior or exterior washes of tractor trailers and tanks a year. Truckers also fuel up and buy new tires there, as well as shower, relax and get food and drinks. “St. Joseph residents often don’t
realize we’re in the agriculture belt,” Mr. Wollenman said. But he knows it. He sees loyal customers who make multiple trips a day back and forth from the Craig, Mo., area hauling grain to Ag Processing Inc. (AGP) and Bartlett Grain. He also sees regular drivers hauling livestock from Central Kansas, Western Illinois, North Central Iowa, South Central Minnesota and Oklahoma to Triumph Foods. Located next door to Nestle Purina, AGP and Bartlett Grain, and across the expressway from the truck staging area (where trucks line up to make deliveries to these businesses), Deluxe Truck Stop is perfectly situated. “Logistically, we can’t be in a better location,” Mr. Wollenman said.
“As AGP uses more soybeans for biofuel, Triumph processes more hogs and Friskies (Nestle Purina) continues to expand, we see more trucks coming through. We usually do about 60-80 washes a day.” Mr. Wollenman first leased the original truck stop building in 1979. In 1997, he and his wife bought the property. “Everything was done outdoors,” Mr. Wollenman said. “In 2002, we built the first wash building. That really changed the face of this business.” The first wash building opened in 2003 and that fall Nestle Purina asked Deluxe Truck Stop to take care of its tankers that haul raw pet food ingredients. Before that, the truck stop had focused on exterior washes and tire sales.
St. Joseph Business journal
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Clockwise from top: 1. National Beef has a “Now Hiring” sign. 2. In the fall of 2010, Deluxe Truck Stop remodeled its main building, which includes four driver showers that are cleaned immediately after use by housekeeping staff. The floor has radiant heat, which is energy efficient and nice for drivers and employees who spend a lot of time in wet rubber boots. 3. A full parking lot of employees is seen at Blue Sun Biodiesel. 4. Nestle Purina continues to add capital investment in its Stockyards location. 5. Trucks line up for washes at Deluxe Truck Stop. “We were really unaware of all of the opportunities that were out there,” he said. In 2006, the Wollenmans bought a former farm store across the street from its main building and added more wash bays. This coincided with the opening of Triumph Foods. “We had a lot of loyal customers for exterior washes sitting in line because of all of the new trucks coming to Triumph,” Mr. Wollenman said. Deluxe Truck Stop now has 7 acres of property, which include a new tire facility that was remodeled in 2012. “We’re still in a growing phase,” he said. “We’re thankful for the Lord’s bounty.” In 1997, Deluxe had four
employees. Now it has 28, one of which is Mr. Wollenman’s son Nick, who joined the staff in 2008. Some of the employees are specially trained on how to wash the inside of tanks to be Kosher-certified because some trucks haul food-grade soybean oil that must meet kosher specifications. St. Joseph’s LifeLine Foods also utilizes Deluxe Truck Stop to sanitize their trailers that haul food-grade material. Temperatures must reach in the 195 to 205 degree Fahrenheit range for foodgrade and kosher washes. Because so many of the trucks that utilize Deluxe are crop or livestock related, the recent recession didn’t affect Mr. Wollenman’s business much. “Being in the food chain, we weren’t affected by the recession,” he
said. “In 2008-2009, we just didn’t see as much growth.” Overall, St. Joseph’s economy is very much involved in industries that deal in crops, animals or animal health. Many of the businesses are in the Stockyards area. National Beef recently made millions of investment into its facility and is currently hiring, according to a sign outside of its gate. Albaugh, Inc., makes herbicides, Omnium blends chemicals for the same industry and BlueSun BioDiesel helps turn crops into fuel, as does LifeLine Foods (see story page 14). “I count LifeLine as a neighbor because I can see their building from
here,” Mr. Wollenman joked. Some of these companies and others in St. Joseph have received assistance by the St. Joseph Metro Chamber’s Economic Development staff, the Port Authority of St. Joseph, or benefited by incentives like tax abatements or forgivable loans. “It’s all worth it,” he said. “The tax base is always improving. Tax abatements expire.”
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BusinessBriefs ACOT Offers Scholarships
American College of Technology (ACOT) is offering scholarships to workers who have lost or are going to lose their jobs because of a restructuring plan from Energizer Holdings Inc. Energizer plans to shut down the battery production plant in Maryville, Mo., which will leave more than 300 full-time employees without a job. Recently, ACOT held two informational sessions about trade adjustment assistance in Maryville. The college was able to assist about
80 people with information about retraining opportunities and funding available. Lute Atieh, ACOT Director of Operations and Technology, said ACOT will continue to assist Energizer workers with retraining. “We will send them to the right places, answer questions that we know,” he said. “Our goal is to provide as much information as possible.”
Schmidt Receives Pioneer Award
Bob Schmidt, long-time President and CEO of Eagle Communications, was presented the Pioneer Award by the Broadcasters
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Foundation of America on April 10, during the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas. Mr. Schmidt began a career in radio while in college as a sportscaster. Upon graduation from Fort Hays State University in 1950, he was appointed General Manager of KAYS Radio. He was elected Vice President and Director in 1952 of KAYS, Inc. In 1989, he purchased control of the corporation and was elected President/CEO. While leading the corporation, the company built or purchased 24 radio and television stations and 12 cable systems in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas. The company currently owns and operates 28 award-winning community radio stations (including St. Joseph stations KFEQ, KKJO, KESJ, KSJQ) and serves 30 communities with broadband service, including internet, video, and voice service. The company also offers wireless broadband service in many of the rural areas they serve. Mr. Schmidt retired as President/ CEO of Eagle Communications in 1998 and sold the majority interest in the company to its employees through an employee stock ownership plan. The Pioneer Awards are given annually in recognition of career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at large, and are named in honor of iconic broadcaster Ward L. Quaal.
B.J. Office Products Changes Ownership
621 S 5th-St. Joseph, MO 64501 • 816-232-8000 • www.systembuildersinc.com 75005047
After 34 years as a locallyowned small business, B.J. Office
Products, Inc., has now joined with EHW Inc., an office supply independent dealer headquartered in Springfield, Ill. “I am excited to join the EHW team and bring their resources and product knowledge into the St. Joseph community,” Barbara Burns said. “Now the goal of expanding our services and competing with the national chains is a reality.” Ms. Burns, who opened B.J. Office Products, Inc., in 1979, will continue on with the business as branch manager. She will oversee the new company’s expansion plans. “We are very pleased to bring on Barb and her staff to the EHW family,” said Steve DeMarco, EHW Inc. President. “We know that the combination of B.J. Office’s reputation in the community, along with the business model of EHW, will allow customers in the St. Joseph region to enjoy the experience of a viable alternative to the big box stores.” EHW will continue to operate under the B.J. Office Products, Inc., name and will look to expand from its current facility in order to add a furniture showroom. EHW also is planning for a call center to be based out of St. Joseph. It will join EHW’s current call center in Springfield, Ill. Changes are already happening at the business. Two new staff members have been added in order to expand the company’s customer base. B.J. Office Products, Inc. offers world-class customer service and more than 50,000 brand name and private label products for the workplace – making it the one-stop shop for all your business needs. From traditional office supplies and computer accessories to janitorial, break room, and everything in between, B.J. Office Products, Inc. has your office covered. The business is located at 2310 N. Belt Highway. For more information, visit bjofficeproducts.com or call 279-1188.
St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
MemberProfile
Scholar and Warrior Kenpo Academy 709 Edmond St. St. Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 689-3669 www.swkenpoacademy.com
13
Habitat Receives Donation
BusinessBriefs
St. Joseph Habitat for Humanity recently received a donation that ensures local low-income families will stay cooler this summer and warmer next winter. Ripple Glass, a Kansas City glass recycling company, donated more than 13,000 square feet of fiberglass insulation. In 2012, the City of St. Joseph
Recycling Center collected more than 250,000 bottles and jars. To thank residents for the commitment to glass recycling, Ripple donates insulation each year back to communities that recycle significant amounts of glass. “What an amazing opportunity to see the City’s recycling effort come full circle back to our community,� said Melissa Koch, Executive Director of St. Joseph Habitat for Humanity.
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It may seem hard to believe now, but Michael G. Braden Sr., was once picked on as a kid. That, and the love of Kung Fu Theater on Saturday mornings, inspired a 24-year love of martial arts. “I’ve been actively training for 17 years,� said Mr. Braden, owner of Scholar and Warrior Kenpo Academy. Mr. Braden, pictured on the right in the top picture, is the senior instructor, a third degree black belt and is a member of the Ohana Kenpo Karate Association. Kenpo Karate is known for its explosive speed and power. It is a well-rounded form of martial arts that includes the whole body. It involves a very quick repetition of strikes and is based on the movements of other arts like Judo, Taekwondo and Hapkido. “It was developed as a true selfdefense art,� Mr. Braden said. “There are no re-sets like in some of the
other arts.� Scholar and Warrior Kenpo Academy has 40 students who are all learning self-confidence, boosting their self-esteem and learning about self-defense. Students have said the confidence they’ve built in class has helped them give better presentations at work, Mr. Braden said. Kenpo Karate also is a great way to become physically active. The rigorous exercise has helped one student lose 65 pounds and another student lose 40 pounds in a year. The academy has grown exceptionally since Mr. Braden and wife-to-be Carol-Le Elliot opened it in 2011 at 709 Edmond St. Students range from 5 to 67 years old. They travel from as far away as Olathe, Atchison and Leavenworth, Kan. If you are interested in trying Kenpo, visit www.swkenpoacademy.com. Two classes are offered for free.
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St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
14
TopEmployerProfile
Each quarter in the Business Journal, we will profile one or more of St. Joseph’s top employers. A top employer may be based on number of employees, or because the business operates in a St. Joseph-focused industry. Often, residents may recognize a company name, but may not know exactly what the company does. In this question and answer piece, learn a little bit more about:
LifeLine Foods Matt Gibson, Ph.D., Vice President, Sales & Tech Services Agribusiness 2811 S. 11th St., St. Joseph, MO 64503 (816) 279-1651 www.lifeline-foods.com
LifeLine Foods is an innovative company that makes products for both domestic and international markets. The items produced are from two primary business enterprises – corn-based food ingredients and ethanol. Please tell us about these two areas. LifeLine Foods’ main focus is food ingredients. In this division, there are three parts: dry corn milled products, Masa flour products and extruded products. Dry corn milled products include different kinds of grits and meals that go into beer and puffed cheese snacks. Masa flour products go into taco chips, tortillas and authentic taco/tostada shells. Extruded products are food-grade binders (or glue) that can be used in sausage, but is most often used in fertilizer. LifeLine also produces fuel. It ferments the corn, which yields ethanol. Ethanol is used in certain vehicles that take E85 fuel. It is nontoxic and is a good octane booster. Bran, protein and minerals are leftover from the corn after the fuel is made. These parts are used for animal feed. It is sold to livestock producers who feed it to hogs, chickens and cows. Distillers’ grains are also produced, as is corn oil. Corn oil can
be used for biodiesel production or in animal feed. Has LifeLine increased its investment to its milling facility? In 2012, a new equity drive brought in $25 million into the business, which is being used for a new corn mill. The new mill, made by Buhler of Switzerland, will be shipped and installed this summer. It will greatly improve the efficiency and increase output of the facility. It will replace LifeLine’s old mill and will be the newest, most modern corn mill in the country for years. Buhler is one of the top corn mill manufacturers in the world. Its employees sampled corn used at LifeLine in the testing phase of the mill production and said that corn from Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas was some of the best corn for milling that they’d ever seen worldwide. On the ethanol side of the business, a new hammer mill and dryer were installed last year. This allows for more production of ethanol because corn can be used solely for ethanol purposes, instead of ethanol workers having to wait on the food processing side of the company for its corn leftovers.
How much corn is ground per year at LifeLine? LifeLine grinds about 24 million bushel of corn per year. Agramarke Quality Grains, a Missouri cooperative, owns 51 percent of LifeLine, so LifeLine buys most of its corn from the more than 600 Agramarke corn farmers. When the corn market is tight, however, it does buy from the open market. The other 49 percent of LifeLife is owned by ICM, an ethanol technology company from Kansas. How many people does LifeLine employ and what career fields are offered? A wide range of positions are offered. Some employees have doctorate degrees. There are chemists, microbiologists, millers, engineers, accountants, salespeople, and corn buyers who all have at least a bachelor’s degree. Welders, electricians and programmers have vocational degrees. LifeLine also
employs a high number of high school graduates who work as operators. They are the last line of defense in food safety and plant efficiency. LifeLine employs about 145 people. LifeLine recently became SQF certified. What does this mean? On Nov. 12, LifeLine became Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified. This is a part of the Global Food Safety Initiative. This distinction took two years to achieve and will be reviewed on an annual basis. Being SQF certified means LifeLine foods meets or exceeds requirements for global food safety.
St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
15
DowntownDigest Information provided by the St. Joseph Downtown Partnership
Downtown Will Abound With Entertainment Songs Sizzle At Sounds of Summer Concert Series A great time will be had by all this summer downtown. The St. Joseph Downtown Association is pleased to present its 2013 “Sounds of Summer” schedule. May 31: Swift Kik June 21: Friends & Family June 28: Scruffy and the Janitors Jerkface Missouri Home Grown July 12: Whiskey for the Lady Jacob Cross and Animal July 19: Page 2 July 26: BOCC This free popular series will be held on Friday nights at Felix Street Square from 6 to 9 p.m.
Ride for Ryan Will Roll Downtown
On Friday, June 7, the St. Joseph Downtown Association will host a party at Felix Street Square from 6 to 9 p.m. to usher in the annual Ride for Ryan motorcycle ride. Entertainment will be provided by the Money for Nothin band. A $10 donation to benefit the charity will get the donor a wristband that will allow them access to all the venues downtown both Friday and
Saturday night for no charge. The downtown clubs will offer a variety of live music and entertainment. On Saturday, June 8, Ride for Ryan will begin at Harley Davidson at 10 a.m. Hundreds of bikes will travel 80 to 100 miles through Northwest Missouri and conclude at Felix Street Square. Food, music, and a live and silent auction will all take place to benefit this charity named after fallen biker, Ryan Consolver. Proceeds from this non-profit event go to fund scholarships to help students pursue education in construction.
Cool Jazz Highlights Annual Jazz Festival The annual Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival will again be held in Coleman Hawkins Park at Felix Street Square. The 2013 lineup is for Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 is:
Joseph-area churches coming together to organize a Sunday night concert series at Felix Street Square. The series “Imagine Eleven” will provide 11 summer nights of great music, tasty food and fun times with friends and family in a wonderful outdoor setting. Organizers have arranged an eclectic line-up of highly-gifted musicians from our area. Proceeds from the series will benefit the Center, St. Joseph’s full-service mental health services agency. June 2 -- Pop-Rock -- Neely, recording artists from Nashville June 9 -- Rhythm & Blues -- Hannah and the Trailblazers, group from Word of Life June 16 -- CCM -- The Vota Band (votaband.com)
June 23 -- Broadway -- Missouri Western Music Theater Group June 30 -- Blues -- Jimmie Bratcher Band July 7 -- Patriotic -- Voices of America and Riversong July 14 -- Classic Rock -- Rattle & Hum – KC based U2 cover band July 21 -- Acoustic Café -- Paul Clark July 28 -- Pop-Funk -- Never Blue Avenue Aug. 4 -- Jazz & Classical -- The St. Joe Jazz All Stars Aug. 11 -- Back to School -- Break the Fall The concerts will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. For more information on the artists featured in this series, go to the website ImagineEleven.com. This will be a family-friendly event with music, food and activities for the
Your #1 source for local news, weather and entertainment.
June 14: 6 to 7 p.m. -- Mid-America All Star Jazz Ensemble 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. – Matt Otto 8:45 to 10 p.m. – Stan Kessler Quartet featuring Kathleen Holeman June 15: 1 to 2 p.m. – St. Joseph High School All Star Jazz Band 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. – Mid-America All Star Jazz Ensemble 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. – Doug Talley Quartet 5 to 6:15 p.m. – Sequel 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. – The Midtown Quartet 8 to 9:30 p.m. – “The Wild Men” of Kansas City
New Music Series To Be Featured on Sundays
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St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
16
What is My Business Worth? As a business advisor, I am often asked the question, “what is my business worth?” It might be from someone who is trying to buy or sell a business, or someone who is seeking a loan for an expansion, or even from someone who is developing their exit strategy. The problem is that there isn’t a singular correct answer. Valuing a business is complex and differs greatly depending on the industry, the region, and the overall market the business serves. There are almost as many methods to perform a valuation as there are answers to the question, which is why valuing a business can be so difficult. The two most common methods used within my office are the income approach, and the asset approach. • Income Approach: This approach is based on the rate
of return in earnings that the investor expects. Small businesses usually are expected to have a rate of return of 25 percent. Consequently, if your business has expected earnings of $50,000, its value might be estimated at $200,000 ($50,000/0.25). • Asset Approach: This approach is often used for retail and manufacturing businesses because owners have a lot of physical assets in inventory. Usually it is based on inventory and improvements that have been made to the physical space used by the business. Discretionary cash from the adjusted income statement can also be included in the valuation along with considerations for which liabilities will be assumed by the buyer. Below are some additional valuation
methods that may be used to calculate what your business is worth: • Adjusted Book Value: One of the least controversial valuation methods, it is based completely on the assets and liabilities of the business. • Capitalization of Income Valuation: This is frequently used by service organizations because it places the greatest value on intangibles while giving no credit for physical assets. Capitalization is defined as the return on investment (ROI) that is expected. In a nutshell, one ranks a list of variables with a score of 0-5 based on how strong the business is in each of those variables. The scores are averaged for a capitalization rate, which is used as a multiplication factor of the discretionary income to arrive at
the business’ value. • Cash Flow Method: The cash flow of the business determines the amount of funds one could expect. The cash flow is adjusted for amortization, depreciation, and equipment replacement. Then a loan amount is calculated with traditional loan business calculations. The amount of the loan is the value of the business. • Cost to Create Approach (Leapfrog Start Up): Used when the buyer wants to buy an already-functioning business to save start-up time and costs. The buyer estimates what it would have cost to do the startup, less what is missing in this business, plus a premium for the saved time. • Debt Assumption Method: This method usually gives the highest price. It is based on how much
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St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
17
SmallBusinessMatters •
•
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debt a business could have and still operate, using cash flow to pay the debt. Discounted Cash Flow: Based on the assumption that a dollar received today is worth more than one received in the future, this approach discounts the business’s projected earnings to adjust for real growth, inflation and risk. Excess Earning Method: This approach is similar to the Capitalized Earning Approach, but return on assets is separated from other earnings, which are interpreted as the “excess” earnings you generate. Usually return on assets is estimated from an industry average. Multiple of Earnings: This is one of the most common methods used for valuing a business. In this method, a multiple of the cash flow of the business is used to calculate its value. Multiplier or Market Valuation: This approach uses an industry average sales figure from recent business sales in comparable businesses as a multiplier, for instance, the industry multiplier for an ad agency might be .75 which is multiplied by annual gross sales to arrive at the value of the business. Rule of Thumb Methods: These are quick and dirty methods based on industry averages that help give a starting point for the valuation. While not popular with financial analysts, this is an easy way to get a ballpark on what your business might be worth. Many industry organizations provide rule of thumb methods
for businesses in their industry. • Tangible Assets (Balance Sheet) Method: This is often used for businesses that are losing money. The value of the business is based essentially on what the existing assets of the business are worth. • Value of Specific Intangible Assets: This is useful when there are specific intangible assets that come with a business that are highly valuable to the buyer. For example, a customer base would be valuable to an insurance or advertising agency. The value of the business is based on how much it would have cost the buyer to generate this intangible asset themselves. Most experts will use whichever method is most widely accepted in the respective industry, and will use more than one method to come to an average value price. What most of the generally accepted methods have in common is that they do not give much of a consideration to “blue sky.” Blue sky is classified as the intangibles of the business…history, name recognition, customer lists, reputation, etc. You can’t put a value on these intangibles because they are not physical assets that can be liquidated. Many times I’ve had business owners tell me their asking price, and it is quite high. When I’ve asked them to explain to me how they arrived at their price, they have factored in the 20 years of sweat they put into establishing their business. While this is noble and a great accomplishment, buyers are usually not willing to pay for that blue sky, and banks are
Rebecca Evans is the Regional Director of the SBTDC. You may contact her at: 816-364-4105 or evans@saintjoseph.com
generally not willing to lend money for it either. When valuing a business, it is important to note that a business is worth what a buyer is willing to pay, especially if it is a cash deal. However, when financing a business, it is only worth what a lender is willing to loan. The market determines demand for that service or product, so high demand businesses are worth a premium. In the context of selling the business outright, the two-part question becomes what is a reasonable price that will reward the owner for building the business and what price will also treat the buyer fairly, in that the price can be justified by the income stream produced by the business in a reasonable period of time? This is where it gets complicated because many small business owners tend to be overly conservative when declaring the actual profits from the business in view of tax implications. If the business is to be sold or divested in the future, planning for the sale needs to begin before the offering. With proper planning the firm’s income statements and balance sheets can show an accurate, consistent history of business profit. This is referred to as exit planning.
So what does this mean to the small business owner? Build your business based on profit! That means real cash profit, the kind that shows up on financial statements and the kind you pay taxes on. You will net a larger return on your investment through a higher overall selling price that can be proven through numbers instead of through blue sky. It is always best to seek expert advice from a C.P.A., business valuation expert, or business advisor that can help you work through the business valuation process. For more information visit www. guidetosellingabusiness.com.
The Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is located inside the St. Joseph Metro Chamber. You do not need to be a member of the Chamber to receive services. The SBTDC can complete a walk-through of your business to determine if there are any wastes that are causing your operation to run inefficiently and what can be done to correct those situations. All services performed by the SBTDC are pre-paid by the Small Business Administration, so there is never a charge to the business.
St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
18
GovernmentInBrief
By Jacob Scott, St. Joseph Metro Chamber Intern Healthcare costs: they are an issue for businesses, citizens, and in this legislative session, they have been a key issue for Missouri lawmakers. This session, legislators have been weighing the pros and cons of Medicaid expansion and in the ShowMe State, the recurring question is, “How are we going to pay for it?” Many lawmakers are concerned that over the next five years the funding for the expansion simply won’t be there from the federal government. The federal government has promised billions of dollars to expand Medicaid in the states. Some states have rejected expansion and some states have adopted it. Missouri is still very much undecided on the issue. Gov. Jay Nixon has made it his priority to plead the case for Medicaid and its expansion, while most Republicans in the Legislature remain opposed to any effort to legitimize or expand the Affordable Care Act. Gov. Nixon has spent much of his time this legislative session traveling the state and seeking endorsements from hospitals, health care organizations, and businesses.
He visited St. Joseph on March 11 and publicly received the support of Heartland Health, the St. Joseph Police Department and many others. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of the St. Joseph Metro Chamber, we urge the Missouri General Assembly to support leveraging the available federal funds to reform Missouri’s Medicaid program,” said R. Patt Lilly, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Metro Chamber. “This will help reduce the uninsured population, prevent further cost-shifting, avoid the loss of jobs, create new jobs and improve the health of our workforce. We understand a healthy workforce and community are critical to the economic vitality of the St. Joseph community and we urge you to work together to bring these federal funds to our state.” Gov. Nixon sees Medicaid expansion as the only viable option to ensure that Missouri and its citizens don’t lose out on the federal dollars promised to states like Missouri. Over his time traveling, Gov. Nixon has accumulated more than 200 of these
groups to support his expansion efforts. However, he has an uphill battle as Republican legislators have coalitions in place in the Legislature to block any movement on the issue. Republicans in the last general election picked up a super majority in both the House and Senate. This provides the Republicans a “vetoproof Legislature.” This means that if every person in the House and Senate were to vote with party line, Gov. Nixon could not stop legislation. However, the expansion hasn’t been entirely overlooked. Some Republican lawmakers have worked with Democrats on the issue in hopes of coming up with a compromise. Republican lawmakers advanced legislation in committee that was regarded as an alternative to Gov. Nixon’s proposed Medicaid expansion. After conferencing with Gov. Nixon, Republican lawmakers ultimately decided to block expansion this year. This block means that federal monies that would have come to Missouri by way of expansion will not be seen this year. However, it does give lawmakers more time to
decide if there are alternative ways to address the issue that have not already been explored. In government, gridlock is often a reality, and on the issue of Medicaid expansion, it’s still not finalized. Gov. Nixon may call a special session, but it’s unlikely to produce the expansion needed to meet federal requirements. The St. Joseph Metro Chamber will continue to monitor this important Chamber issue and many others. In the fall of 2013, the Chamber will survey its membership to ascertain priorities for 2014.
BusinessBriefs Polsinelli Shughart Shortens Firm Name
Polsinelli Shughart PC shortened the firm name to Polsinelli PC, effective late April 2013. The firm’s February 2009 combination with Shughart Thomson & Kilroy was preceded by several smaller mergers and acquisitions. The firm has added more than 150 attorneys in the four years since the Shughart Thomson merger. Today, the national law firm has more than 630 attorneys in 16 cities, including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.
“While our legacy firms and our history provide our foundation, we have become more than the sum of our parts. Most importantly, we are all one firm today and our clients already refer to us as Polsinelli,” said Chairman Russ Welsh. “The owners agreed using one name reflects we are one firm from coast to coast.” In its 40-year history, Polsinelli has had multiple firm names, including Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus just before the firm successfully merged with Shughart Thomson & Kilroy and adopted the combined name of Polsinelli Shughart. The merger added Shughart’s well-recognized extensive litigation experience to the firm’s established and growing corporate,
health care, real estate, and financial services practices. Adopting one name reflects true integration of services and firm culture. “This decision reflects branding trends in legal and other professional services which have emulated longstanding practices in consumer marketing,” said Chief Marketing Officer Allison Yurman. “From a strategic point of view, building brand equity around one name is more viable, and this change leverages existing name awareness by focusing on the shorthand already in use by clients.” Mr. Welsh said the Shughart merger in 2009 brought critical strength in litigation and Shughart’s long, impressive history in Kansas
City since the 1940s. Many of the original Shughart attorneys hold key leadership positions at Polsinelli as practice group chairs and board members. “We would not be where we are today without those who joined the firm through mergers and laterally,” said Mr. Welsh. “When we first merged with Shughart, we all joked that both names were a mouthful. But the core reason for the name change is that it reflects who we are now and where we are headed strategically. We are confident the one name, Polsinelli, is easier for clients and will help us strengthen our national identity.”
St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
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Parties on the Parkway Celebrates Music, Community & Parks The Chamber’s 12th year of Parties on the Parkway started in May and will continue through August Thursday, June 13 S.W. Parkway & 28th Street Tequila Mockingbird Rain date: June 20
Hundreds of St. Joseph residents come out each year to different locations along St. Joseph’s unique Parkway system to soak up some sun, enjoy some refreshments and listen to some great, local and live music. Admission is FREE so there’s no reason not to join the fun. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets. No alcoholic beverages may be brought in to the event. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the
Park. All parties are from 5 to 8 p.m. Parties on the Parkway, an effort with the City of St. Joseph, is presented by Nodaway Valley Bank. The series will end with an encore to Parties on the Parkway called Rockin’ on the River on Saturday, Sept. 7. It will be from 4 to 8 p.m. near the Remington Nature Center of St. Joseph near the Missouri River. It will feature two bands, fireworks and Shine & Show for cars and motorcycles.
Thursday, August 8 Across from Corby Pond Friends & Family Rain date: Aug. 15
Years as a CORNERSTONE
of our Community
St. Joseph Business Summit Highlights Interesting Topics sions throughout the half-day summit. Aetna will present a second keynote address. This topic will be about improving employee wellness. This event is presented by the Family Investment Center and the Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences. The price is $19.95 for Chamber members and $29.95 for general admission. The event will begin at 8 a.m. and last until 12:30 p.m. at MWSU’s Fulkerson Center. To register, visit www.saintjoseph.com.
1(816) 816) 232-2000 232 20 The Largest Full Service Commercial Real Estate Division in Northwest Missouri
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The St. Joseph Metro Chamber and the Steven L. Craig School of Business at Missouri Western State University will host the St. Joseph Business Summit on Friday, June 7. Businesspeople from companies of all sizes are encouraged to attend. U.S. Congressman and Small Business Chairman Sam Graves will give a keynote address. Learn how to save money by going green, how to save green by going green, how to use social media effectively, how to start your own small business and much more in ses-
Thursday, July 11 S.W. Noyes & Messanie, Parkway A -- Soca Jukebox Rain date: July 18
this Code to View our Commercial Properties
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St. Joseph Business journal
Spring 2013
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