SALINA, Kan. — The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Salina Business Hall of Fame with the induction of three business leaders at a luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Salina Country Club. Doug Girod, chancellor of the University of Kansas, will serve as the featured speaker.
2025 Inductees
- Pioneer (1858–1945): Dr. William Eugene Mowery
- Historic (1946–1999): Richard “Dick” Renfro
- Contemporary (2000–present): Larry Britegam
In addition, the Spirit of Salina Award, created in 2022 to recognize an emerging Saline County entrepreneur who demonstrates perseverance, risk-taking, and commitment to small-business ownership, will be announced at the ceremony.
“The caliber of those that get inducted into the Business Hall of Fame is so high because these are not just people who have achieved success in business, but also who have made integral contributions to the success of the entire community,” said Renee Duxler, president and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. “This 2025 class of inductees is particularly exceptional with the imprint that they’ve left on Salina and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate them.”
Established in 2005, the Hall of Fame honors past and present business leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to Salina, earned the community’s respect, and highlighted the value of the free enterprise system in shaping local quality of life.
Tickets
Tickets are $35 per person and are available online at salinakansas.org, by phone at 785-827-9301, or by email to Hayley Rhodes at hrhodes@salinakansas.org.
Past Honorees
Pioneer: Henry David Lee; Alexander Campbell; Oscar Seitz; Winfield Watson; Benjamin Aaron Litowich; William R. Geis; William A. Phillips; Thomas Watson Roach; Charles R. Underwood; Frank Hageman; Heerman H. Sudendorf; Arthur M. Claflin; August (A.J.) Holmquist; Moses Stiefel.
Historic: Ward A. Marshall; William Henry Graves; John J. Vanier; M.J. Kennedy; Milton Morrison; Charles W. Shaver; C. William “Bill” Exline; Murray Wilson; Ralph E. Reitz; S. Dean Evans Sr.; Whitley Austin; Ben Sellers; George L. Frisbie; Verla Nesbitt Joscelyn; Baalis Kyger Smoot; Robert J. Laubengayer; Dan Bolen; Milton Stiefel; Frank Norton; Mabel Shelton; Mel Jarvis; Quintin Applequist; Paul Mai.
Contemporary: Alfred P.G. Schwan; Charlie Walker; Roy Applequist; Lee Young; Paul E. Junk; Jack Vanier; James R. Allen; Richard E. Brown; Karl Stutterheim; Mike Berkley; Charles E. Stevens Jr.; Thomas Pestinger; Sidney A. Reitz; Timothy M. Rogers; Mel and Marge Bergkamp; Stephen Ryan; Larry Triplett; Mike Beatty; Mark and Julie Miller; Frieda Mai Weis.
Past Spirit of Salina recipients: Tyler Gallagher, Seraphim Bread (2022); Gustaf Applequist, Fili Creative (2023); Kelli Webb, The Bath Pub (2024).