Johnny Morris named Developer of the Year for WOW completion

SBJ photo by Hanna Smith

George Innes, retired from Springfield Ready Mix Co., accepts a Lifetime Achievement Award at his table during the banquet.

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Photo Gallery: Salute to Design and Construction Awards Banquet

Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris last night was named Developer of the Year at the 33rd annual Salute to Design and Construction Awards Banquet. He was honored for the completion of Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium ¬– a project involving about 40 contractors and 500 professionals who spent roughly a decade on the 350,000-square-foot destination that is estimated to cost upwards of $300 million.

WOW Public Relations and Social Media Manager Shelby Stephenson accepted the award in Morris’ absence. In a statement sent to the Springfield Business Journal, Morris said: “I am grateful to the Springfield Contractors Association for this honor, which I accept on behalf of hundreds of talented local craftsmen who contributed their time, talent and boundless passion for Wonders of Wildlife to make this a reality.”

The Design Team of the Year award was given to Q & Co. LLC, Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative, Miller Engineering PC and Lee Engineering and Associates LLC ¬– the team behind Phase I of O’Reilly Hospitality Management LLC and Ransin Injury Law’s new home at 4045 E. Sunshine St. The 20,000-square-foot project cost about $3.9 million, according to city building permits.
“The key is, you have to leave your ego at the door. When you come into that room, you have to roll your sleeves up and say ‘Hey, we’re one team. Let’s figure out how to make this thing really work,’” Rick Quint, president of Q & Co., told SBJ earlier this week.

Selected by the Salute to Design and Construction Council, five attendees were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their overall contribution to the industry: Herschel Johns, retired from Harry H. Johns Inc.; Charles Hill, GHN Architects Engineers; Tim Smith, city of Springfield; Joe Jenkins, retired from Jenkins Diesel Power Inc.; and George Innes, retired from Springfield Ready Mix Co.

The American Institute of Architects named Eric Henderson of Performance Contracting Inc. Craftsman of the Year; Jerel Twitchell of Branco Enterprises Inc. was awarded Superintendent of the Year for leading the new Neosho Junior High School; and Melissa Payne, building envelope consultant and forensic investigator at Miller Engineering PC, was given the Outstanding Women in Construction Vesta Award.

Additionally, 41 scholarships were awarded to 24 students in the construction trades at Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College and Drury University.

Reporter Matthew Henderson contributed.