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The purpose of the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship's Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur Award is to recognize entrepreneurs in the state of Nebraska who represent the ideals of Nebraska small business ownership. These recipients have started or substantially grown a business in Nebraska and are currently contributing to the economy of the State and/or their own local communities. They are nominated by past award winners, members of the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship's Advisory Board and the Dean of the College of Business Administration here at UNL, and inducted into the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. We are proud to honor them as models of Nebraska entrepreneurial excellence.
Ron Parks is majority owner of Millard Manufacturing Corporation, a stainless steel fabricator specializing in custom food processing machinery and equipment for large volume industrial food processing plants. Among their products are continuous poultry processing systems, canning industry machinery, red meat and pork equipment, and sculpture. During the downtime of the plant, Parks creates metal sculptures that can weigh up to 12,000 pounds. Parks’ interest in art began as a teenager when he painted theater sets and continues as he creates monumental sculptures in metal, wood, and stone. Parks combines the creative process with the knowledge and experience gained from fifty years of inventing, designing, and fabricating in metals and other materials. His sculptures are products not only of his creativity, but also of his appreciation for modern fabrication materials and methods. The employee stock ownership company provides an ideal structure for the 50 owner/employees to keep abreast of the newest trends in their industry. For example, they use the best computerization for the job shop manufacturing and parts. The single unit job shop makes a limited number of genuinely unique products.
Tom Smith is a native of Hastings, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Business Administration in 1968. Tom began his career in the investment and financial services industry in 1968 with First Mid America, Inc.; a Lincoln, Nebraska, based financial services company. First Mid America was merged into Paine Webber in 1983. Tom was a Senior Vice President with Paine Webber until December 1985. In December 1985, Tom and Tom Hayes started SMITH HAYES Financial Services, Inc. Tom is Chairman and CEO of SMITH HAYES Financial Services and has been a general securities principal for 33 years. Tom works with a team that manages assets in excess of $100 million, as well as overseeing the strategic direction of SMITH HAYES Financial Services, Inc. During Tom's business career in Lincoln, Nebraska, he has held various civic and professional affiliations, including the University of Nebraska Foundation, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, the Nebraska Independent College Foundation, Jackson Hole One Fly Foundation, Foundation for Educational Services, Inc., and the Nebraska Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Tom is a member of the Board of Directors of several private companies.
Dick C. E. Davis is Chairman and CEO of the Davis Insurance Agency, Inc., Bonding and Technical Services, Inc., a consulting firm, and Commercial Finance and Investment, Inc., a financing company. These firms operate on a multi-state basis and represent a multi-million dollar operation under the umbrella of the Davis Companies. Davis has increased revenues from these companies ten times in ten years since his involvement. In addition, he has assembled a staff of highly experienced and qualified professionals to manage a diverse group of professional services for customers. Davis was the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year in 2000, and the Davis Companies were recognized as the tenth fastest growing company in Omaha for 2002. Throughout his career, Davis has championed opportunities for the youth in his community. The North Omaha Foundation for Human Development, the Davis Scholars, and service on the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Post-Secondary Education are just a few examples of his outstanding community service. He is also a State Board of Directors member of Congressman Tom Osborne's Teammates program.
Marvin O. Filsinger worked with his father in the excavating business and took over management of the company in 1976. He expanded the business to include divisions in eight states, employing 63 people and achieved a net worth of more than $8 million. His philosophy has been to be willing to work alongside his employees. Hard work has always been Filsinger's means of accomplishing his goals. For Filsinger, being part of the community entails employment and adding to the tax base as well as community service. He has been active in the Sidney T-Ball Fields, Cheyenne County Community Center, All Weather Track at Sidney Public Schools, Leyton's Track at the Cheyenne County Fair Exhibit building, and supported the K9 unit for drug detection. He filled a vacancy on the City Council and was re-elected with 99% of the vote for another term. He has been a member of the Cheyenne County Fair Board for more than 16 years. He is a member in the Sidney Cycle Association and used his equipment to build a track that competes with other regulation tracks in the region. The track provides hours of family enjoyment in a growing sport and provides a venue for regional cycling events.
Current Award Winners
