The Dynamic Dozen will never be the same – not after the 2011 edition last night at the Gillioz Theatre downtown, where we honored the 12 fastest-growing companies in the Springfield area.
There were plenty of clever quips and some sound business advice amid the energy – and beach balls – bouncing around on stage.
If you weren’t there, here are a half-dozen things I overheard (I’ll include the full dozen in a column in the March 14 issue):
- Wayne Morelock of Morelock-Ross Cos., the No. 9 company, let out the secret that the company’s employees were mere robotics hidden under flesh-tone facades.
- If Allied Roofing’s crews were any better, they’d be wearing capes, said owner Clint Tackitt, who described No. 8 Allied as “a company that outsmarts water.” After the event, news spread about Allied’s purchase of the former Hawkins Mill and, more recently, Aqua Terra Gardens building at Kansas Expressway and College Street; crews are renovating it for a pending office move. Early reports are that, though old, the structure is sound and built with solid oak.
Emcee Chad Harris performs "the Dynamic Dozen dance."
- Funny man Chad Harris, who proved his worth as the evening’s emcee, said he’d planned to enter the Gillioz stage in an oversized egg, but Lady Gaga beat him to it at the recent Grammy Awards.
- As many companies gave credit to their means of financing, Guaranty Bank kept getting nods. The irony, of course, was that Guaranty Bank is the institution that recently called the note on the very property where the event was held.
- Bobby Robertson, CEO of No. 2 company Healthcarefirst gave high-fives to some 40 staff members he brought with him on stage, before offering some lessons learned in business: 1. Believe in the product. 2. Be well capitalized. 3. Surround yourself with great people.
- Accepting the top award for Electronic Check Services, President Derron Winfrey said last year as runner up, he shook 2010 winner Jeff Russell’s hand and said, “I’m coming for your spot.” This year, he looked at Robertson and said, “The No. 2 company buys drinks.”
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