Annual Banquet and Awards Dinner
Friday, January 25, 2019
5:30 Social Hour | 6:30 Dinner
Maner Conference Center, 17th & Western, Topeka, KS
CITATIONS FOR ENTREPRENUERSHIP
Don Landoll
Since 1963, founder, owner, and President of Landoll Corporation, Don Landoll, has provided a vision for the company focusing on “Customer Comes First” philosophy.
Over 55 years ago, Don Landoll and his partner of three years purchased Quick Service Welding which eventually became Landoll Corporation. Since then, Landoll has grown to be a leader in innovative design, world-class manufacturing, and marketing of quality products and services for the agriculture, transportation, material handling, OEM and government industries. Since 1963, the Landoll entrepreneurial spirit and business principles including diversification, vertical integration and customer satisfaction have led to substantial growth.
Landoll Corporation has shared its success with the community by being good stewards to the area community, renovating and putting into operation several vacated properties. Landoll led the revamp of the now completed Catholic school and playground, airport, Library Park, and a reading garden at the elementary school. Landoll Corporation was the largest donor while leading fundraising efforts for the area’s new hospital and was instrumental in the rebuild of the Catholic church.
Landoll Corporation is proud to be one of Kansas’ homegrown industries.
Don’s commitment to customer satisfaction is still very much in effect 55 years later. This approach has helped build the long-standing, stable relationships that Landoll Corporation shares with our customers.
CITATIONS FOR ENTREPRENUERSHIP
Dr. Lisa Stehno-Bittel
In 2012, Lisa licensed her laboratory patents from the University of Kansas and co-founded the company Likarda, LLC, a world-class, cutting-edge biotech research laboratory. Likarda provides services to science entrepreneurs, bio consortiums, and contract research organizations, and holds patents on regenerative medicines that manage diabetes in dogs and cats. Lisa has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Faculty Research Award from the University of Kansas Medical Center and the Jim Baxendale Commercialization Award. Ingram’s Magazine named her one of “50 Kansans You Should Know” and Lisa was awarded the Women in Medicine and Science Sirridge award for female role models.
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR
Lon Frahm
As the 6th generation Kansan and leader of Frahm Farmland, Lon Frahm has redefined what it means to be a farmer. Lon and his team share a deep commitment to making a positive impact on their community, one which they define as worldwide. From his education -- which includes degrees in business administration and agribusiness -- to his widespread interest in fine arts, international travel, and aviation, Lon has shared both his expertise and philanthropic resources with national, international, statewide and local boards and programs. He was named Farm Journal’s Top Producer of the Year in 2009. One might say that Lon Frahm has managed to create a life in agriculture that, while centererd in a rural, western Kansas town, knows no boundaries. He farms more than 34,000 acres with a vibrant team empowered to make Frahm Farmland one of the most successful farming operations in the Midwest.
KANSAN OF THE YEAR
Governor Bill Graves
From January 2003 through June 2016, Graves served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the ATA, the national trade and safety organization of the United States trucking industry. Representing an industry that delivers nearly 70 percent of the nation’s freight, under Graves leadership the ATA developed numerous initiatives designed to improve truck safety and the safety of those with whom they share the road. ATA also adopted a number of proposals for improved environmental stewardship and advocated for an increase in the federal fuel tax in order to sustain a strong Federal role in funding maintenance and new construction of the nation’s highway infrastructure.
Previously, Graves served as Governor of the State of Kansas from January 1995 to 2003. As governor, he enacted significant business and individual tax cuts, re-structured governance of higher education, privatized many social service programs, and signed into law an historic 10-year, $13-billion comprehensive transportation program improving highways, railroad infrastructure, airports, and public transit service. In January 2003, Graves completed his second term as governor of Kansas, capping 22 years of service to the state.
Currently, Graves serves on the board of directors for International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"), founded in 1953, is a leading promoter of motorsports themed entertainment activities in the United States. The Company owns and/or operates 13 of the nation’s premier motorsports entertainment facilities, which in total have approximately 761,000 grandstand seats and 560 suites, which includes the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas
Additionally, for almost 70 years, members of the Graves family were involved in the trucking industry and operated fleets including Graves Truck Line. Graves earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Kansas Wesleyan University in his hometown of Salina and attended graduate school at the University of Kansas. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Linda and daughter Katie.