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The 12th Annual Lawrence Business Magazine Foundation Awards ceremony celebrated local businesses big and small, honoring those that continually go above and beyond in the community.
Pam Kramer, CEO, KC2026 and keynote speaker for the Awards
A packed, large banquet room, enthusiastic crowd and, most tangibly, record number of esteemed local businesses proved once again that the environment and performance of Lawrence businesses, both large and small, not only thrive but grow stronger each and every year.
The 2025 Lawrence Business Magazine Foundation Awards, the 12th iteration of the event, was held April 22 for the second straight year at Maceli’s Banquet Hall & Catering. This year, a total of 28 local businesses, representing 294 new jobs created in 2024, were honored with Foundation Awards, having met the criteria of being located in Douglas County, being in business at least three years and having grown their workforces by at least 20 percent, or 20 employees. That brought the total of Foundation Awards handed out over 12 years to 156 for a grand total of 1,760 new jobs created.
Lawrence Business Magazine Publishers, Ann Frame Hertzog and Steven Hertzog flanked by Masters-of-Ceremonies Gary Rexroad and Beth Easter
One Foundation Award recipient was recognized with the Footprint Impact Award, signifying the company that has gone the extra mile in giving back. And for the third year in a row, in addition to the Foundation Awards, the Minority-Owned Business and Woman-Owned Business Foundation Impact Awards were presented, recognizing outstanding businesses being good stewards of the community and giving back.
Top to bottom: Ann Frame Hertzog, welcoming everyone on behalf of the Lawrence Business Magazine,
Pam Kramer, CEO, KC2026 receiving her honorary FOUNDATION AWARD from Lawrence Business Magazine Publishers Steven Hertzog and Ann Frame Hertzog,
Master’s of Ceremonies, Gary Rexroad and Beth Easter
Also, for the second year in a row, the event sold out.
“Celebrating these businesses adding jobs to our community is an honor each year,” says Ann Frame Hertzog, editor-in-chief of Lawrence Business Magazine, which hosted the event. “We are proud of how this awards presentation has grown and truly appreciate everyone making that happen, especially our sponsors and growing businesses. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to grow a business, whether small and adding one person or a larger company adding 20 or more.
“Steve (Hertzog, co-publisher, chief photographer and radio host for Lawrence Business Magazine) and I believe in supporting local and doing what we can to advocate for the community and its businesses,” she continues. “As publishers of Lawrence Business Magazine, whether it is our advertisers or businesses we cover, all are important to us. Now more than ever, we must support each other.”
The event was served by two co-masters of ceremony: Beth Easter, market president for presenting sponsor INTRUST Bank, and Gary Rexroad, longtime executive at Microsoft and longtime Lawrence civic leader. They spoke of the strength and cohesiveness of the Lawrence business community and how gathering on this night to celebrate the community’s business achievement and unity makes Lawrence strong and vibrant.
Before Easter and Rexroad announced the awards and celebrated last year’s business successes, the focus shifted to the future with a keynote speech from Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, the committee leading strategic planning and legacy initiatives for the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, coming to the area next year.
“Lawrence is one of the most important communities we work with,” said Kramer, noting it was 414 days until the opening of the tournament. “Especially as it pertains to a focus on economic impact and economic development.
Top to bottom: Kimberly Williams, Sound Speech Therapy, receives the Woman-Owned Business Foundation Impact Award.
Bridge Haven accepts the Minority-Owned Business Foundation Impact Award.,
Lance Mullen, MIDCO presents the
Footprint Impact Award to Darin Lutz, Alpha Roofing
“This is a big deal,” she continued. “We’ve never had a Super Bowl (in this area), never had an Olympics. This is as big as it gets. We have a lot to do, and we’re operating with a sense of urgency and purpose.”
Kramer noted that more than half of the world’s population will watch the World Cup either in person or on TV, and brought up some surprising statistics from the last time the United States hosted the event, in 1994.
“In ’94, soccer was a new sport in the U.S.,” she explained. “That ’94 World Cup still holds the record for most tickets sold.”
Kramer also noted the Kansas City metropolitan area, which includes Lawrence, has a geographical advantage in the middle of the country and not near any of the other host cities, allowing it to capture not only international travelers but domestic fans, as well. Six matches will be played here, including a quarterfinal match that promises to showcase two of the most powerful soccer nations in the world.
“Getting that quarterfinal match speaks to FIFA’s confidence in Kansas City,” she said.
In all, the area expects to attract 650,000 visitors, 54 percent of whom will be international and will stay an average of 9.7 days, Kramer added. Many of those visitors will travel to Lawrence and spend money here. That especially rings true if Rock Chalk Park gets selected as a team base camp, which any one of the 48 teams in the tournament could use the entire month.
“It’s a top-notch facility and well-operated,” she continued.
Kramer said her committee is focused on what’s left in terms of regional benefits after the World Cup, and all indications point toward a significant, long-term positive impact. There will be celebrations in the area June 10, one year to the day before the World Cup opens, and June 16, one year until the opening game in Kansas City.
In September, volunteer opportunities will be presented. Businesses interested in being involved can visit kansascityfwc26.com/business-opportunities to register.
LOCAL MATTERS
Our Local Advertisers – Making a Positive Impact
Following Kramer’s presentation, it was time to hand out Foundation Awards to each of the 28 businesses.
Leading the pack once again was Good Energy Solutions, which earned a Foundation Award for an unprecedented seventh time. Other multiple winners included
- Alpha Roofing (five-time winner),
- Atma Clinic (2),
- Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center (2),
- Bracker’s Good Earth Clays (3), Bridge Haven (4),
- Construction Specialties (3),
- Heartland Community Health Center (2),
- Rueschhoff Security Systems (2),
- SERC Physical Therapy (3) and
- Sound Speech Therapy (3).
Next were the IMPACT Awards, businesses committed to impacting the community and creating a local footprint of mutually beneficial relationships, something that strengthens an entire community.
These businesses were asked how they work locally, with whom they work to create local business partnerships, about their philanthropic endeavors and volunteerism, and how much the company’s overall mission is driven by a sense of community and giving back. In effect, they were asked what their footprint or butterfly effect, that one small change or instance of giving back that can have ripple effects impacting many, is.
There were nine women-owned businesses nominated for the Woman-Owned Business Foundation Impact Award, many of which also received Foundation Awards. That award was won by Sound Speech Therapy, owned by Kimberly Williams.
“It’s really amazing,” a visibly jubilant Williams said. “I really didn’t know what to expect, but I’m really happy. I know the way I do business is with heart and with people. And I think that really resonates, especially in this day and age.”
Of the three businesses nominated for the Minority-Owned Business Foundation Impact Award, the winner was Bridge Haven, owned by Chaitanya Musham, M.D.
“This is great; we’re so excited,” Haley Patterson, of Bridge Haven, said. “This tells us that we’re doing things the right way. We strive every day to do our best.”
The final award of the evening was the Footprint Impact Award, bestowed on one of the 28 Foundation Award honorees that goes above and beyond, reaching out and contributing to the Lawrence business community, a business with the philosophy of giving back and supporting other local businesses and organizations—their “community footprint.” The winner of the 2025 Footprint Impact Award was Alpha Roofing.
“We’re pretty humbled by this,” Alpha Roofing owner Darin Lutz said. “Our greatest assets are our people. This gives our people the recognition they deserve. They take everything I stand for to the streets and make it happen. This is all for them.”
Alpha Roofing
FIVE-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD RECIPIENT & 2025 FOOTPRINT IMPACT AWARD WINNER
Alpha Roofing provides residential and commercial roofing services in northeast Kansas. Its team holds the highest certifications in the products it installs and focuses on quality installations, excellent customer service and accountability.
Alpha Roofing is the consummate community partner, not only working with 221 local business partners and services, but also donating locally to schools and youth services, including sponsorships and sports.
Owner Darin Lutz encourages employees to donate their time and supports them financially in those efforts and he serves on the Lawrence Schools Foundation Board of Directors.
It is Alpha Roofing’s goal whenever possible to work primarily with Lawrence Businesses.
Alpha Roofing added four employees, increasing its workforce to 18.
Sound Speech Therapy
THREE-TIME HONOREE & 2025 WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS FOUNDATION IMPACT AWARD WINNER
Sound Speech Therapy is pediatric speech-language, occupational and feeding clinic committed to providing quality service to patients and families using a collaborative approach. In addition, SST offers myofunctional therapy to both children and adults. The company is dedicated and committed to collaboration and building strong relationships built on trust, not only with patients but with their families.
Owner Kimberly Williams, offers local and surrounding schools professional development opportunities to help educators understand developmental norms, how to use practical strategies in the classroom, determine when more support might be needed, how to talk to parents, and what community resources to refer to. The company serves on the board of the Community Children’s Center and National Charity League and donates to Ballard Center and many other organizations.
Sound Speech Therapy added three new employees bringing its total workforce to 13.
BioData Solutions, Owner Stephanie Pasas-Farmer
Body Specific, Owner Lisa Lahm
Bracker’s Good Earth Clays, Owner Cynthia Bracker
Coneflower Consulting, Owner Sarah Bishop
Icorium Engineering Company, Owner Kalin Baca
Kessler Contractors, Owner Dynelle Kessler
Speech Solutions, Owner Lisa Graves
Tallgrass Training and Wellness, Owner Shannon Schmidt
Bridge Haven
FOUR-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD RECIPIENT & 2025 MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS FOUNDATION IMPACT AWARD WINNER, Owner Chaitanya Musham, MD
Bridge Haven is a physician owned and operated long-term care facility comprised of four homes for 12 individuals, each offering full nursing, rehabilitation and memory care services.
Bridge Haven runs internal contests for residents and employees to donate time to local non-profits. It has donated time and/or money to Lawrence Community Shelter, Visiting Nurses, the Shelter, Inc. and Lied Center.
More than 90 percent of residents are from Douglas County and pay attention to what happens locally. They are actively involved in the Warm Their Hearts and Toes internal project to benefit the Lawrence Community Shelter and the Shelter, Inc.
Bridge Haven added 24 employees, bringing its workforce to 98.
Artists Helping the Homeless, Owner Kar Woo
Owner Kar Woo; Kessler Contractors, Owner Dynelle Kessler
Lawrence Business Magazine
FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREES
Ali’s Cleaning
Ali’s Cleaning is a small, local and women-owned cleaning company, serving Lawrence as a referral-only cleaning company since 2016. Ali’s has a team-cleaning approach focusing on thoroughness and efficiency, valuing customer satisfaction above all.
Ali’s Cleaning added two new employees for a total of 10 employees.
Amarr
Established in 1951, Amarr is one of the world’s leading brands in design, manufacture and distribution of sectional doors for both residential and commercial markets. With all products being made in the USA, Amarr has a legacy of innovation, quality design and sustainability, operating more than 60 door centers in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Amarr added 24 jobs to its workforce.
Atma Clinic
TWO-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREE
Atma prides itself on being a truly holistic medical clinic in Douglas County. The medical, nutrition and mental health specialists at Atma provide a comprehensive approach to total well-being. They take the time to get to know patients and develop a plan to get you on the road to optimal health.
Atma Clinic added four jobs, increasing its total workforce to nine employees.
Ballard Center
The Ballard Center provides high-quality early childhood education and needs based services to families and individuals in need. The agency underwent major growth in 2024, adding to its team and increasing wages across the board. Last year, the Ballard Center also started its own AmeriCorps program, further adding to the organization’s growth.
Ballard Center added eight positions, bringing its total workforce to 26 employees.
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
TWO-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREE
Established in 1950, the Bert Nash Center serves as Douglas County’s designated community mental health center and the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. It is the safety-net provider to anyone grappling with mental health or substance abuse issues, regardless of diagnosis, residence or financial status. Its mission is to advance the mental health of the community through comprehensive behavioral health services responsive to evolving needs and changing environments.
Bert Nash added 47 new employees, increasing its workforce to 428.
Bracker’s Good Earth Clays, Inc.
THREE-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREE
Bracker’s Good Earth Clays is a family-owned and operated ceramic supply business, now run by the second generation. It supplies potters, arts centers, schools, universities and ceramic enthusiasts with every they need for their creative endeavors across seven states and many points nationwide. Through its sister company, it even produces clay here in Douglas County.
Bracker’s Good Earth Clays added 3 new employees, bringing its workforce to 15.
Childrens Advocacy Center of Douglas County
The Childrens Advocacy Center ensures that children and families affected by child abuse receive a compassionate, community-based intervention through a multidisciplinary team approach to prevent, identify, investigate, prosecute and treat child abuse.
Childrens Advocacy Center added two employees bringing its total workforce to three.
Coneflower Consulting
Coneflower Consulting is committed to helping mission-driven organizations flourish no matter where you’re planted. Clients include major universities, non-profit organizations both large and small and businesses with a commitment to fulfilling a mission beyond turning a profit.
Coneflower Consulting added two employees bringing its total workforce to seven.
Construction Specialties
THREE-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREE
Construction Specialties provides consultation and construction/remodeling services to homeowners in the Lawrence area. It handles everything from kitchen remodels to bathrooms, home additions and exteriors.
Construction Specialties hired four new employees, bringing its total workforce to 15.
Critter Control of Kaw Valley
Critter Control technicians have the experience and training to find nuisance wildlife, trap and remove the pest animal safely and install wildlife exclusions for long-term pest control.
Critter Control of Kaw Valley added two employees, bringing its total workforce to five.
Fagen & Emert
Fagen & Emert is a law firm providing legal representation focused on achieving the goals of its clients. The firm provides legal representation in the areas of: commercial litigation, construction, personal injury litigation, business and corporate law, federal and state criminal defense, and real estate/foreclosures.
Fagen & Emert added two new attorneys for a total of seven.
Good Energy Solutions
SEVEN-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREE
Good Energy Solutions is a full-service energy partner that is able to provide comprehensive consulting and services in electrical, renewable energy and energy management in the central U.S., including Missouri and Kansas. The company is dedicated to customer satisfaction through quality design and installations and backs its promises with long warranties. The company also works with non-profit organizations helping them to lower their utility costs to enable them to use their resources to help others.
Good Energy Solutions added 15 jobs to its workforce, bringing its total to 57 employees.
Heartland Community Health Center
TWO-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREE
Heartland Community Health Center is an integrated primary care practice that exists to serve all community members regardless of income or insurance status in Douglas County and the surrounding area. Heartland is recognized as a patient-centered medical home for both acute and chronic health conditions and offers onsite primary care, mental/behavioral health, oral health services and pharmacy services. As the safety net provider for the area, Heartland is the trusted provider of high quality, integrated care serving more than 20,000 patients annually.
Heartland added 34 new jobs, bringing its workforce to 219 employees.
Hemel Electric
With Hemel Electric you receive quality work, integrity and fast service every time. Serving Lawrence and the greater northeast Kansas area and specializing in residential, commercial and industrial electrical installation and repair, Hemel’s team brings more than 30 years of experience to each and every job site.
Hemel Electric added two jobs, increasing its workforce to five employees.
Icorium Engineering Company
Icorium Engineering Company, woman-owned and women-run, is a chemical engineering startup and University of Kansas spinout developing technologies to make sustainable, circular economies a reality for refrigerants and other complex chemical mixtures.
Icorium Engineering Company added four employees, doubling its workforce to eight employees.
LRM Foundation
The LRM Foundation, established in 2007, provides multifaceted programming through the performing arts, mental health and wellness and STEM education. Originally known as Life Restoration Ministries, in May 2023 the board of directors voted to expand the name to LRM Foundation which encompasses the continued growth and expansion to create solutions and increase access to the areas of theater/arts, STEM education and mental health and wellness.
LRM added one job for a total workforce of three and increased its volunteer base by 25 percent.
Northside Social
Northside Social is a local bar, serving cocktails and a healthy dose of local music nestled in North Lawrence.
Last year, Northside Social added four employees, increasing its workforce to five.
P1 Construction
P1 Construction, LLC is a single-source specialty subcontractor providing facility solutions with all trades under one roof. It takes a holistic approach to all construction projects with complete in-house serves and value-added capabilities, including preconstruction, sheet metal, piping, plumbing, electrical and more.
P1 Construction added 47 new positions to its workforce.
PROSOCO
PROSOCO has enjoyed 86 years of success in the construction industry, including 26 years with Lawrence as its national headquarters. As a manufacturer of specialty construction chemicals and products, their success has been made possible through a fine-tuned combination of industry-leading research and development, and a mission to provide exceptional support to its customers, from builders and architects to developers and owners..
PROSOCO added 25 new employees.
Peaslee Tech
The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center opened as a training facility in August 2015 with the mission of serving as a catalyst for economic growth in Douglas County. Peaslee Tech provides technical training to a diverse community of learners to meet the current and emerging needs of our communities and employers.
Last year, Peaslee Tech added 13 new employees.
Petz Accounting Services
Petz Accounting Services provides fractional CFO services to small and medium sized businesses, advising companies how to improve their back office functions and other areas to help grow revenue and reduce costs. It helps organize business financials and support ongoing decision making.
Petz added two employees, increasing its workforce to three employees.
Ricks Advanced Dermatology and Skin Surgery
Ricks Advanced Dermatology and Skin Surgery offers general dermatology for the treatment of mole removal, nail fungus, acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and full-body skin exams. Dr. Matthew Ricks is the only fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon in Kansas outside of the Kansas City metro area.
Ricks added five new employees to its workforce for a total of 10 employees.
Rueschhoff Security
TWO-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREE
Rueschhoff Security Systems has protected generations of families and businesses in the Lawrence area since 1976. Whether you need access control with video analytics for your business, full-scale fire systems or security and environmental sensors for your home, Rueschhoff is here to help.
Rueschhoff Security added seven new employees.
SERC Physical Therapy
THREE-TIME FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREE
SERC Physical Therapy provides high quality physical therapy services with research supported treatment and quick access available to allow for the best results for patients.
SERC added one full-time employee, bringing its total workforce to five.
Speech Solutions
Speech Solutions is a locally-owned private speech and occupational therapy practice servicing pediatric and adult clients in Lawrence and surrounding areas. It is Speech Solutions’ mission to make a positive difference in the lives of clients by providing highly effective, research-based therapy services to children, teens and adults.
Speech Solutions added three new employees, doubling its workforce to six employees.
2025 Foundation Award Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: INTRUST Bank;
IMPACT Awards Sponsor: Maceli’s;
Footprint Award Sponsor: MIDCO BUSINESS;
CORNERSTONE SPONSORS: Alpha Roofing,Bob Sight, The Chamber and EDC;
BRICK SPONSORS:
Bishop Business, City Wine Market, Express Employment Professionals, Good Energy Solutions,
Grandstand, Lynn Electric, Pine Landscape Center, Ricks Advanced Dermatology and Skin Surgery,
Sigler Pharmacy, SSC CPAs and Advisors;
MORTAR SPONSORS:
23rd Street Brewery, BridgeHaven, Crown Automotive,
Johnny’s Tavern and J. Wilson’s, KU Alumni Association, KU Innovation Park,
Paul Davis Law Firm, Paul Werner Architects, Sound Speech Therapy,
KLWN, Stephens Real Estate, UPS Store #2582 Parkway Commons
