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Awards go to hospitals, fast-growing firms
By: Chris Rodgers, Staff Writer
The Overland Park Economic Development Council gave the Nova Award to three companies during an honors luncheon Jan. 3.
“The real economic development that goes on in a community rests with the businesses that are already here,” EDC Senior Vice President Gary Sherrer said. “We need to do as much for existing businesses as we do to attract new ones.
“Today celebrates the real economic depth of this community… Today honors those who have helped grow this community.
“The companies we are going to honor today with the Nova Award represent fast-growing business stars.”
Recipients are:
WingGate Travel
Young Sexton founded WingGate in 1991. The Asian-American and woman-owned business now has 18 branch locations across the United States. The company is ranked the second-largest locally owned travel agency in the Kansas City area.
Saicon Consulting Inc.
Founded in 1998 by Swati Yelmar, Saicon provides IT professional services to Fortune 500 companies nationwide. Entrepreneur magazine in 2007 named Saicon to its list of Top 50 fastest growing women-led companies.
The first year, the company had revenues of $433,000; 2006 saw revenues of $12.5 million.
The Mutual Fund Store
Adam Bold founded the Mutual Fund Store in 1996 and had one other employee. The business, which provides independent, fee-based investment advice and asset management, now has 58 locations nationwide and manages $4 billion in assets for more than 200,000 clients.
Hall of Honor Awards
The EDC also handed out the Business Hall of Honor Award, which goes to companies “committed to economic development as well as improving the quality of life in Overland Park.” The council chose to honor the city’s four hospitals.
“Few suburban areas can say they have four award-winning nationally recognized hospitals physically located in their community,” Sherrer said.
“We are known for our high quality of life. In this day and age you can’t have a high quality of life without good health care.”
He called the hospitals’ economic impact “staggering,” considering payroll, benefits, construction costs, and investment in equipment and new technology.
The award went to Children’s Mercy South, Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Saint Luke’s South.
The EDC plans to make the honors luncheon an annual event.
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“The real economic development that goes on in a community rests with the businesses that are already here,” EDC Senior Vice President Gary Sherrer said. “We need to do as much for existing businesses as we do to attract new ones.
“Today celebrates the real economic depth of this community… Today honors those who have helped grow this community.
“The companies we are going to honor today with the Nova Award represent fast-growing business stars.”
Recipients are:
WingGate Travel
Young Sexton founded WingGate in 1991. The Asian-American and woman-owned business now has 18 branch locations across the United States. The company is ranked the second-largest locally owned travel agency in the Kansas City area.
Saicon Consulting Inc.
Founded in 1998 by Swati Yelmar, Saicon provides IT professional services to Fortune 500 companies nationwide. Entrepreneur magazine in 2007 named Saicon to its list of Top 50 fastest growing women-led companies.
The first year, the company had revenues of $433,000; 2006 saw revenues of $12.5 million.
The Mutual Fund Store
Adam Bold founded the Mutual Fund Store in 1996 and had one other employee. The business, which provides independent, fee-based investment advice and asset management, now has 58 locations nationwide and manages $4 billion in assets for more than 200,000 clients.
Hall of Honor Awards
The EDC also handed out the Business Hall of Honor Award, which goes to companies “committed to economic development as well as improving the quality of life in Overland Park.” The council chose to honor the city’s four hospitals.
“Few suburban areas can say they have four award-winning nationally recognized hospitals physically located in their community,” Sherrer said.
“We are known for our high quality of life. In this day and age you can’t have a high quality of life without good health care.”
He called the hospitals’ economic impact “staggering,” considering payroll, benefits, construction costs, and investment in equipment and new technology.
The award went to Children’s Mercy South, Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Saint Luke’s South.
The EDC plans to make the honors luncheon an annual event.