CEO Roundtable w. Fred Parry

Columbia-based MidwayUSA began as a small gun shop in 1977 and has grown into a large company and internet retailer of about 200,000 hunting, fishing, shooting and outdoor products. Midway USA founder Larry Potterfield joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table." Mr. Potterfield discussed the company winning its third Malcolm Baldrige national qualit...

The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA) is a non-profit that operates out of two locations: Columbia's Agriculture park and the Mark and Carol Stevenson Veterans Urban Farm. They operate numerous programs and they provide fresh fruits and vegetables to residents in need. CCUA executive director Billy Polansky joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle'...

Comobuz.com publisher Mike Murphy has spent a good portion of this year reviewing detailed information about voter-approved Columbia bond issues in 2015 and 2018. The 2015 bond issue was a 63-million dollar plan to primarily finance improvements to the electric grid. The 2018 bond issue was a 43-million dollar plan to primarily finance renovations to the city's water treatment plant near McBaine....

Comobuz.com publisher Mike Murphy reports the construction cost of a proposed 100-bed homeless shelter near Columbia Water and Light's power plant on the Business Loop has risen from $11-million to $18-million. Murphy says backers have $6-million lined up from the state and are requesting $3-million each from Columbia and Boone County. He joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morn...

Boone County treasurer Dustin Stanton manages the county's $100-million investment portfolio. Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) appointed the Centralia businessman to the post this spring. Boone County's current annual budget is about $94-million, and Mr. Stanton tells 939 the Eagle's Fred Parry that inflation is impacting the budget, specifically road and bridge. Stanton joined Fred in-studio for...

The average price of a home sold in Boone County was $327,000 in July. That number is up well more than $100,000 in the past five years. RE/MAX Boone Realty chief executive officer Elizabeth Mendenhall joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table." She says the July numbers are very important, because the Columbia community revolves around the school c...

Columbia's historic Stephens College is launching its Conservatory for the Performing Arts this school year. Its aim is to prepare Stephens graduates to succeed in the competitive world of theatre, television and film. Longtime Stephens President Dianne Lynch joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour this morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table." President Lynch is beginning her 14th year...

Columbia Regional Airport (COU) manager Mike Parks says the pilot shortage is impacting every airline and every airport in the nation, including COU. He says American Airlines will reduce one flight at COU for a brief time in November. Mr. Parks joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table." Parks also discussed the $23-million new terminal in-...

Columbia native Ray Hall is the new minority business coordinator for Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI). Mr. Hall graduated from Columbia's Hickman high school and from Mizzou and describes himself as a true son. He joined guest host Jay Sparks Saturday morning for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table" to discuss his new position, the role he serves and economic development...

Historic William Woods University was founded in 1870. Its 220-acre campus is in mid-Missouri's Fulton. Dr. Jeremy Moreland is the university's 13th president, and began in October. He's focused on academic opportunity, enrollment growth and the university's fiscal health. Dr. Moreland joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table." President Moreland s...

The Boone County Fair, which was established in 1835, begins Tuesday at 5 pm at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Columbia. Admission is $10 from Tuesday-Friday, while admission on Saturday is $15. Agriculture is the common denominator at the fair. Fair board president Jeff Cook says the Vaughn family of Sturgeon will be the farm family honored this year. Cook joined host Fred Parry for the hour Sat...

Swift Prepared Foods will be opening its large plant on Columbia's Route B in 2023, bringing more than 200 jobs to the area. Swift, which has a plant in nearby Moberly, will be making Italian meats. Columbia's Regional Economic Development Incorporated president Stacey Button joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table". Ms. Button says the project hi...

Readers from Zimmer's "Inside Columbia" magazine have once again voted Just Jeff's as the best burger in town. Just Jeff's owner Jeff Spencer was orphaned at a young age in Iowa, and ended up moving to Columbia with his uncle, who owned the Boonville livestock auction. Mr. Spencer started his business on a hot dog cart downtown. He joined 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on Sat...

31-year-old Nick Rodriguez, who's stage name is Nick Danger, is a hip-hop artist who performs in Missouri and in other states as well. Mr. Rodriguez went to school at Columbia Rock Bridge elementary and Hickman high school, and says his parents and Rock Bridge elementary teacher Melinda Manson inspired him. He joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table" on Sa...

Boone Electric Cooperative general manager Todd Culley tells 939 the Eagle News that construction on their $27-million headquarter project should be done by September and that he's hoping to have employees moved in by November. Mr. Culley joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table," telling listeners an open house will take place at a later date. Culley also emph...

Former Mizzou walk-on quarterback Alex Demczak is a best-selling author and speaker. He has a new book that he's co-authored with Jon Gordon that focuses on trust, integrity and the power of positive leadership. He also says that comparison is the thief of joy. Mr. Demczak joined host Fred Parry on Saturday morning's "CEO Round Table" on 939 the Eagle:

Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks is seeking the GOP nomination in west-central Missouri's fourth congressional district. Mr. Burks appeared on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table" Saturday, telling host Fred Parry that conservative voters are fired up about re-taking control of both chambers of Congress this fall. Burks says voters are upset with rising food and gas prices, and tells listeners...

Central Bank of Boone County President Ed Scavone says they have 35 to 40 percent of the market share in Columbia, with $3-billion in assets. Central Bank of Boone County has 14 Columbia branches, along with 372 employees. They've also opened a mortgage office in Des Moines, a city that's attracting talent from across the nation. Mr. Scavone was host Fred Parry's guest on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roun...

95 Missouri veterans received a once-in-a-lifetime experience last week, when they took an Honor Flight to Washington. It was the first Central Missouri Honor Flight since 2019, due to the pandemic. Central Missouri Honor Flight director Steve Paulsell says visiting the memorials and Arlington National Cemetery is emotional for the veterans, but adds the trip is more about healing and remembrance....

Comobuz.com publisher Mike Murphy describes his publication as an online magazine. He's a career newspaper guy. He's written a scathing editorial about the state of newspaper journalism, which is titled "Newspapers peddling what little influence they have left," and references a recent "Kansas City Star" article about crime in Columbia. Mr. Murphy, a former Gatehouse executive, joined host Fred Pa...

Gabe Huffington became acting director of Columbia Parks and Recreation on April 4. Mr. Huffington was in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable," updating listeners on the old Boone County Fairgrounds and on improvements happening at the fairgrounds coliseum. Mr. Huffington also briefed host Fred Parry about the significance of the park sales tax extension. Huffin...

Florissant native and Mizzou graduate Nic Parks is well-known across mid-Missouri for his projects, including Level Up and Silverball in Columbia. He's currently developing the major Lakeside Ashland project, which will include an outdoor movie theatre, zip line, restaurant and playground. Mr. Parks joined host Fred Parry Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Round Table" to outline the project...

Columbia-based MFA Oil continues to grow, and is the nation’s ninth-largest propane retailer. It now operates 71 Break Time convenience stores and 22 Big O Tire franchises in Missouri and Arkansas. There are two Big O Tire locations in Columbia: one on the Business Loop and the other on Peachtree. MFA Oil chief executive officer Jon Ihler was host Fred Parry’s guest this morning on 939 the Eagle’s...

Ranken Technical College will begin construction soon on a new campus in fast-growing Ashland. The aim is to meet the region's need for more skilled workers. Ranken President Don Pohl and Ranken Dean Shannon Brueggemann joined host Fred Parry on Saturday's "CEO Round Table" on 939 the Eagle. President Pohl tells listeners that Ranken didn't choose Ashland and that it was Ashland that chose Ranken....

Columbia's city council will tackle the controversial roll cart issue on Monday night. It's a perennial issue in the city. Columbia city manager De'Carlon Seewood joined host Fred Parry Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." They discussed the trash issue in-detail, as well as the use tax that Columbia voters will cast ballots on in Tuesday's election. Mr. Seewood also addressed Fre...