Central Bank of Boone County is Columbia’s largest bank, with approximately $3-billion in assets. The bank has 14 branches, including numerous Columbia branches and locations in Boonville, Ashland, Centralia, Hallsville and Sturgeon. Central Bank of Boone County president Ed Scavone joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Round Table.” Mr. Scavone is one of Columbia’s top business and banking leaders. He moved to Columbia in 1978, at the age of 14. His mother-in-law worked for Central Bank in Moberly. Mr. Scavone has spent 29 years with Central Bank, including four years as president of Central Bank of Boone County. Inflation and housing were two of many topics Mr. Scavone and Mr. Parry tackled on the show. Mr. Scavone tells listeners that the big spender is the government, adding that the inflation we’re seeing now has been driven by federal COVID dollars and by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. Fred and Mr. Scavone also discussed the local economy. Mr. Scavone tells listeners that the median home value in Boone County is now about $350,000, adding that for years, housing costs were lower in Columbia than in St. Louis and Kansas City. Mr. Parry and Mr. Scavone say that’s not the case now:
(LISTEN): Columbia Parks and Recreation director Gabe Huffington appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”
Columbia’s Parks and Recreation department has 78 parks, ranging from its largest, Cosmo park, to 20 neighborhood parks. It has 82 full-time employees and another approximately 600 part-time employees, with an annual budget of about $18-million. Columbia Parks and Recreation director Gabe Huffington joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Mr. Huffington grew up in southwest Missouri’s Buffalo, and began his career in golf course management. He’s been with Columbia Parks and Recreation for 15 years, including about a year as director. Mr. Huffington tells listeners that Columbia’s Activity Recreation Center (ARC) and the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse have been packed recently, as people make New Year’s resolutions about fitness. He also discussed one of the fastest growing sports in the United States: pickleball:
(LISTEN): Longtime Columbia banker says finance is emerging as key component of area economy
The traditional three pillars of Columbia’s economy have been education, health care and insurance.
They still are in some ways, even with State Farm’s headquarters no longer in town. The University of Missouri and MU Health Care remain the top two employers in Columbia/Boone County by far, with 8,709 and 5,092 employees. Former Landmark Bank chairman Jeff MacLellan, who’s been studying economic trends in Columbia for 35 years, says finance may be the third pillar now.
“You know throw in your banks and VU and Flat Branch, and I mean that is an emerging sector here. It’s financing personal needs, whether it’s a home loan or car loan or whatever. That is probably the third big branch now that’s driving this economy,” Mr. MacLellan tells host Fred Parry on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.
2023 statistics from Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) indicate Veterans United Home Loans in the third-largest employer in Columbia/Boone County, with 3,474 employees. Shelter Insurance is still the seventh-largest employer, with almost 1,400 employees.
Click here to listen to Fred’s full interview with Mr. MacLellan.
(LISTEN): Longtime Columbia business emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community
Being a good corporate citizen is a key philosophy of Columbia’s Johnston Paint and Decorating, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025.
Co-owner Blair “Murph” Murphy, who started his career with the company in 1988 unloading trucks, tells 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” that they donated 414 free carpet remnants to teachers in August. Mr. Murphy credits his wife, Melissa, for that tradition. He adds that some of the teachers drive several hours for free carpet remnants.
“Prior to COVID, we had two ladies that walked into that event from St. Joe (northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph), Missouri. They had driven down to Columbia, six-seven hours roundtrip for two carpet remnants for free,” Murphy tells listeners.
Columbia businessman L.D. Johnston and his sons Paul and Lennie started the company in 1925 at 14 North Ninth street, near the Blue Note. The company grew so much that they moved to the 700 block of East Broadway in 1939, where CJ’s is now located. The business later moved to 7th and Ash and is now at its fourth location on Buttonwood.
You can listen to the full interview with Blair Murphy here.
(LISTEN): Johnston Paint and Decorating co-owner Blair Murphy appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”
Columbia’s popular Johnston Paint and Decorating will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025. The company was founded in 1925 by Columbia businessman LD Johnston and his sons, Paul and Lennie. It started across from what’s now the Blue Note and has had four locations in the past 99 years: the original spot, where CJ’s is now on Broadway, at 7th and Ash and where it’s currently located on Buttonwood. Current co-owner Blair “Murph” Murphy joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” to discuss the upcoming 100th anniversary and Mr. Murphy’s perspective on Columbia’s homebuilding and remodeling business at this time. They also discussed what Columbia business leaders can do to improve Columbia:
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