Ben Craig
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Eco-devo council honors Craig
By: Chris Rodgers, Staff Writer
The Overland Park Economic Development Council honored four hospitals, three fast-growing businesses and Metcalf Bank Chair Ben Craig at the first EDC Honors Luncheon on Jan. 3 at the Regnier Center on the campus of Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park.
The audience gave Craig a standing ovation as he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from County Commissioner and former Overland Park Mayor Ed Eilert.
Craig has served in leadership roles at Metcalf Bank and the community for more than 50 years.
Prior to the award presentation, Gary Sherrer, EDC senior vice president, said, “The ultimate defining difference between communities is the strength of the leadership in those communities.
“Communities that are fortunate to have people with vision and with the courage to advocate that vision are the winning communities. We think it is important that those kinds of individuals aren’t forgotten.”
Eilert offered a synopsis of Craig’s contributions.
“My task should be easy, because everybody knows Ben Craig,” Eilert said. “At the same time, it is difficult to adequately describe the tremendous positive impact that Ben Craig’s actions and decisions have had not only in our city, but our county, our metro area and the state of Kansas.”
Craig has served as chairman of many organizations, including the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His honors and awards include the Gov. Samuel Crawford Silver Stirrup Award presented by the Kansas Cavalry for leadership in economic development in Kansas.
He served as chairman of the citizens committee that promoted passage of the original $12.9 million bond issue to establish Johnson County Community College in 1968, and he has served on the boards of several nonprofit groups.
“There are many different ways that Ben Craig has impacted our community and our city,” Eilert said, “but one very important role he assumed was always his willingness to support programs that developed community leadership and to provide his personal counsel and advice on important community issues.”
Craig accepted the award, stepped to the lectern and, with tears in his eyes, said, “I don’t know how anybody could be as lucky as I’ve been and still am. Thank you very much.”
After the ceremony, Craig said he had planned comments, “But I couldn’t say anything, and that’s not like me. It was certainly a little overwhelming.”
Craig said he felt lucky to have joined the Overland Park business community when he did.
“The city was just getting started,” Craig said. “I had a skill set from the six years I’d been in chamber of commerce work. It taught me how to work with volunteers and people with different interest levels and get them to work together.
“That’s really the only role I’ve played. I’m not an expert at anything.”
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The audience gave Craig a standing ovation as he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from County Commissioner and former Overland Park Mayor Ed Eilert.
Craig has served in leadership roles at Metcalf Bank and the community for more than 50 years.
Prior to the award presentation, Gary Sherrer, EDC senior vice president, said, “The ultimate defining difference between communities is the strength of the leadership in those communities.
“Communities that are fortunate to have people with vision and with the courage to advocate that vision are the winning communities. We think it is important that those kinds of individuals aren’t forgotten.”
Eilert offered a synopsis of Craig’s contributions.
“My task should be easy, because everybody knows Ben Craig,” Eilert said. “At the same time, it is difficult to adequately describe the tremendous positive impact that Ben Craig’s actions and decisions have had not only in our city, but our county, our metro area and the state of Kansas.”
Craig has served as chairman of many organizations, including the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His honors and awards include the Gov. Samuel Crawford Silver Stirrup Award presented by the Kansas Cavalry for leadership in economic development in Kansas.
He served as chairman of the citizens committee that promoted passage of the original $12.9 million bond issue to establish Johnson County Community College in 1968, and he has served on the boards of several nonprofit groups.
“There are many different ways that Ben Craig has impacted our community and our city,” Eilert said, “but one very important role he assumed was always his willingness to support programs that developed community leadership and to provide his personal counsel and advice on important community issues.”
Craig accepted the award, stepped to the lectern and, with tears in his eyes, said, “I don’t know how anybody could be as lucky as I’ve been and still am. Thank you very much.”
After the ceremony, Craig said he had planned comments, “But I couldn’t say anything, and that’s not like me. It was certainly a little overwhelming.”
Craig said he felt lucky to have joined the Overland Park business community when he did.
“The city was just getting started,” Craig said. “I had a skill set from the six years I’d been in chamber of commerce work. It taught me how to work with volunteers and people with different interest levels and get them to work together.
“That’s really the only role I’ve played. I’m not an expert at anything.”