LIBA Announces Award Winners
On March 3, 2016, the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA, Liba.org) announced its award winners at their annual Free Enterprise Celebration in front of a crowd of 550 business and community leaders.
LIBA Chairman of the Board, Bill Lien said, “Starting and building a business is very demanding and is a huge gamble. It takes money, preparation and commitment, with no guarantee of success. Those who accomplish the task find that it takes more than hard work.” LIBA applauds and honors the entrepreneurs who are willing to put their names on the bottom line, risking much to provide good jobs to our community.
Business Owner of the Year – Speedway Properties and the Smith Family LIBA is pleased to bestow its most prestigious award, Business Owner of the Year, to The Smith Families, owners of Speedway Motors and Speedway Properties. This award recognizes Speedway Property’s history of revitalizing historic buildings and their current efforts in the Haymarket and the new Telegraph District. Through Speedway Properties, the Smiths continue to reinvest in their beloved community by repurposing older buildings throughout Lincoln. The core business, Speedway Motors, was founded in 1952 by Speedy Bill and Joyce Smith. It is the nation’s largest family-owned manufacturer and retailer of street rod and racing products. Speedway Motors is a family business with brothers Carson, Craig, Clay and Jason Smith leading a team of over 450 associates in Lincoln, Indiana and Michigan. This past year, Speedway Motors acquired and relocated five companies to Lincoln.
Lincoln Young Professional Award – Adam Kroft LIBA’s Lincoln Young Professional Award is presented to Adam Kroft. In 2014, Adam founded Red Thread, a marketing company located in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket. Adam and the crew at Red Thread have grown quickly, starting with three partners to having eight team members today. A number of LIBA members have used Red Thread’s creative services to promote their businesses, including a recent rebranding effort for Woof! and work with Ray’s Lawn and Landscape. This past year, Adam and the creative team at Red Thread produced a remarkable video demonstrating the success and mission of LIBA over the past 35 years. Adam’s success both personally and through the quick growth of his business is a testament to his hard work, his energy, and his commitment to the Lincoln community.
Enterprising Gambler Award – Leadbelly LIBA presents our Enterprising Gambler Award to Leadbelly. Leadbelly opened in the spring of 2013 at its current location in the Haymarket. Since opening, Leadbelly has seen tremendous growth and has become a staple of the Haymarket area. Leadbelly’s work with their landlords to complete the renovation of the old rail car space they occupy and to add the raised outdoor patio has created a truly unique atmosphere and dining experience. Leadbelly’s gamble on its Lincoln location has paid off, and the restaurant will soon open its second location in Omaha.
Community Impact Award – Richard Meginnis LIBA is proud to award our Community Impact Award to Richard Meginnis. Richard is lifelong Lincolnite involved in the business community, and has been a LIBA member for nearly 25 years. Richard has served as a member of the Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education, and has been appointed to a number of mayoral committees and task forces throughout the years. As a school board member, Richard worked hard on behalf of Lincoln taxpayers and students, and his knowledge and experience as a businessman helped ensure tax dollars were spent on students and in the classroom, rather than being spent on rising administration salaries. Richard’s dedication to the community has served Lincoln and LIBA members well.
LIBA Champion Award – Lincoln Laminating LIBA is pleased to present this year’s LIBA Champion Award to Lincoln Laminating, Inc. Lincoln Laminating has been a cornerstone of the Lincoln community since 1962. Bob Wiechert, who purchased the company in 2002, has been a committed supporter to many causes throughout the community and has truly been a champion of LIBA. In 2009, when LIBA expanded its office space, Lincoln Laminating custom designed a 22-foot modular conference room table. That table has become a gathering place for business and community leaders to discuss local issues and to solve problems businesses face, and has allowed LIBA to open up its space to other Lincoln non-profits looking for a meeting room. Lincoln Laminating’s past contributions to LIBA and its continued support are an example of how great businesses make this organization great.
Free Enterprise Award – Roy Christensen LIBA presents our Free Enterprise Award to Roy Christensen. Being a small business owner, Roy has worked hard to protect free enterprise and promote economic and business growth in Lincoln. Roy proudly owns or is part owner of three successful companies that do business in the Lincoln and Omaha areas. As a member of the city council, Roy has fought for the interests of taxpayers and has been a good steward of our public dollars. LIBA was proud to see Councilman Christensen propose a property tax cut this past fall. Roy is a coalition builder who strives to do what’s best for all and who tirelessly works to make the Lincoln community, and the Lincoln business community, better.
LIBA studies and promotes these types of issues that are important to businesses and our community. If you have an interest in joining LIBA, please call me at (402) 466-3419. LIBA membership is not restricted to just businesses. We also have “individual” memberships for those who want to help influence our local government decisions.
For more information on LIBA, visit Liba.org.