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From the youngest Junior Achievement ambassadors to seasoned inductees, the Colorado Business Hall of Fame induction celebration annually represents a spectrum of extraordinary people, expertise and ideas. If we could somehow bottle the energy generated from this annual celebration of business enterprise, it would be priceless.
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(l to r): Charles O’Donnell, 2023 laureate Mary Pat Link, and sisters Hadley and Reese Gentry
Hosted by Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, on Monday, Feb. 6, honorees and supporters gathered at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center to celebrate five respected business icons inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame. Laureates are part of a league of outstanding individuals who have made legendary contributions to the free enterprise system.
The 2023 laureates are: Mary Pat Link, founder of Interlink Group and noted nonprofits supporter; Jay Anthony Precourt, oil-and-gas guru and philanthropist; Mark Smith, real estate developer and founder of area youth foundations. Additionally mutual funds manager Bill Berger, founder of Berger Associates and arts supporter, and Frederick Ross, of real estate’s Frederick Ross & Company, were both honored posthumously. Berger’s daughter Katherine was on hand to accept her father’s award. To read complete biographies about this year’s class, as well as past inductees, click here.
The evening began with a VIP reception at Former Saint, tucked away next to the Hyatt’s expansive lobby area, where friends old and new had a chance to chat. Guests then made their way upstairs for the general reception held outside the Centennial Ballroom.
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2023 HOF inductee Jay Precourt (center), with son Anthony and daughter Amanda
Denver 7 anchor Brian Sanders served as emcee for the dinner program that included a procession of former inductees and Groove Machine provided musical entertainment. The Denver North Junior ROTC Color Guard. conducted the flag presentation. With Junior Achievement ambassadors in attendance, this year’s inductees took the time to not only express gratitude for the recognition, but also to offer their personal advice for success in business and in life.
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Gail Klapper with 2023 HOF inductee Mark Smith and his son Josh Smith
Also speaking onstage: J.J. Ament, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce president; Caleb Hester, senior vice president from presenting sponsor UMB; Junior Achievement President & CEO Robin Wise; and Lori Davis, JA board president. The evening ended with a dessert reception created by Hyatt catering.
Junior Achievement prepares young people to thrive in the 21st century workplace and global economy by inspiring a passion in free enterprise and entrepreneurship, and instilling an understanding of personal financial literacy. On average, Junior Achievement serves 100,000 each year in Colorado and Wyoming. These programs are always free to schools, thanks to thousands of volunteers and the generous support of donors. For more information visit: www.JAColorado.org
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This JA ambassador recognizes event sponsors.
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce is Colorado’s largest business organization and has been a leading voice for the Metro Denver business community for nearly 150 years—bringing a history of finding pragmatic solutions, using data and facts to establish goals and aligning Colorado’s most diverse views to map a path forward. For more information please visit: www.denverchamber.org.
- (l to r): Charles O’Donnell, Kristi Shaffer, Steve Wise, Joe Davis, Allison and Steve Kinsley
- (l to r): Joe and JA board chair Lori Davis, with JA president and CEO Robin and Steve Wise
- (l to r) Adin Robinett, Candace Thomas, Olivia Carson, Madison Bobo
- (l to r): Charles O’Donnell, 2023 laureate Mary Pat Link, and sisters Hadley and Reese Gentry
- (l to r): Charlie Neil, Angela Lieurance, Josh Penry
- Danny Moore (left) and Jeff Keener
- Michelle Jeske and Jeff Riley
- Robin Wise, JA-Rocky Mountain President and CEO, and George Sparks, president and CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- Front: Twins Sophie and Caroline Penry; back: Cara Vaccarello and Kristin Strohm
- Left: Matt Strohm; right: Dennis Wagner and Patrick Tabb
- (l to r): Michael Gregg, Ned Minor, Cari Coover, Angela Lieurance, Pat Grant
- Freeda Warren and Sam Bailey
- (l to r): Charile Neil, Jeanne and Dick Saunders
- 2023 HOF inductee Jay Precourt (center), with son Anthony and daughter Amanda
- Charla Candy (left) and Katie Wienecke
- (l to r): Katherine Berger, Susie Johnson, Bart Berger
- (l to r): Dave and Amber Lusson, with friend John
- Agatha and Curt Fentress
- (l to r): Andrea Austin, Bill Mosher, Molly Broeren Mosher, Liz Rapp
- Deanna and Greg Austin
- (l to r): Carolina Flores, Alondra Flores, Jocelyn Hittle, Mizraim Cordero
- At the VIP reception
- (l to r): Jeremy Birdwhistell, Alana Vieira, Katie Fenger and Phillip Markos
- (l to r): Friendly Hyatt server Ankica with Jeremy Birdwhistell, Alana Vieira, Katie Fenger and Phillip Markos
- Checking their phone at the reception
- Cathey and Dick Finlon
- Beth and Rod Slifer
- Haroun Cowans (left) and Alphonso Hawkins
- Sisters Mercedes Casados (left) and Marissa Casados
- Colorado State Sen. James Coleman and Maribeth Hanzlik
- Tim and Kristin Pollard
- (l to r): Deborah Cameron, Nancy and Curt Richardson
- Family members of 2023 HOF inductee Mary Pat Link
- Gail Klapper with 2023 HOF inductee Mark Smith and his son Josh Smith
- (l to r): Josh Smith, Tom and Margie Gart, Johannes Faessler
- JA ambassadors
- Candace Daniels (left) and Cinamon Watson
- (l to r): Kathy Finley, Hayden Hirschfeld, Ellen Robinson
- Tables are set in the Centennial Ballroom.
- Autumn Rubal (left) and Kristen Turnbull
- Brian Sanders, anchor for Denver 7, served as emcee.
- Presentation of colors
- Chatting before dinner
- Groove Machine provided music in the ballroom.
- Groove Machine’s lead singer entertains.
- North High School JROTC Color Guard
- Jake Jabs and Rene Green
- Katherine Berger speaks to the crowd about her father Bill Berger, 2023 HOF posthumous inductee.
- 2023 HOF inductee Mary Pat Link
- J.J. Ament, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce president and CEO
- This JA ambassador recognizes event sponsors.
- Caleb Hester, of presenting sponsor UMB
- 2023 HOF inductee Jay Anthony Precourt speaks to the crowd.
- 2023 HOF inductee Mark Smith