31st Annual Colorado Business Hall of Fame 2020

Each year, Junior Achievement and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce share an opportunity to recognize our state’s most respected leaders for their commitment to and investment in the community.

Robin Wise and Kevin Kelley

The Colorado Business Hall of Fame laureates are part of a league of outstanding individuals who have made legendary contributions to the free enterprise system. They have experienced a lifetime of business success and have set powerful examples for others to follow. And the young ambassadors that introduce them promise to follow in their footsteps. 

This year’s Laureates are: 

Jay Cimino–president and CEO of Phil Long Dealerships, consisting of 14 dealerships, Mt Carmel Wellness and Community Center, Mt Carmel Veterans Service Center, AdPro Advertising and Kip Hampden Real Estate. He has also opened a dealership in his home town of Trinidad, CO, along with the Trinidad Community Foundation, plus the Jay Cimino Champion

Denver Metro Chamber President and CEO Kelly Brough, left, with Linda Childears, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund and past board chair of the Chamber

Scholarship Fund, and land grants for a new visitor’s center and retail space.   

Frank Edbrooke–who shaped the architectural development of downtown Denver in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. He designed notable Denver buildings such as the Brown Palace Hotel, Oxford Hotel, Loretto Heights Academy, Temple Emanuel, Denver Dry Goods Company building, and was the final architect on the state capitol. He also designed schools and churches, as well as numerous residential works. His final building was the Colorado State Museum. He believed in truth and honesty in all things, and created several charities and philanthropic endeavors. 

Gerald Gallegos—With only a cement mixing truck and the help of his brothers, Gerald founded his own company, Gallegos Masonry, in 1970. From its origins in Vail, the company expanded to Aspen, Telluride, and Denver, as well as other resort towns across the West. Gallegos was instrumental in building Beaver Creek, where the company’s stonework decorates nearly every building. He participated heavily in community endeavors and charitable contributions. Gerald passed away in 2010, but his legacy and impact lives on. In 2012 his company completed the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, and in 2013 the company completed the Kansas State University Bill Snyder Family Stadium expansion. 

Larry Kendall–who has been a leader of the real estate industry for 45 years. He is a founding partner of The Group, Inc. which has regularly been nationally recognized as one of the best run and most productive real estate companies in the United States in market share, per agent sales volume, and business innovation.  Additionally, Larry is a co-creator of the Ninja Selling System, used by more than 80,000 real estate and other sales professionals worldwide. Larry describes himself as a connector, and his skills as chair of the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce led to doubling their membership and $2 million in donations. He also spearheaded in-kind donations to assist Respite Care, a facility for special needs children.  

Charles, Greg and Kent Stevinson–Chuck Stevinson created the infrastructure which is now Denver West, a hub for commercial, research, automotive, retail, residential and recreational endeavors. After Chuck was diagnosed with cancer in the early 1980s, his sons Greg and Kent assumed the chief executive responsibilities for the real estate and automobile holdings, respectively. Following his cancer diagnosis, Chuck was instrumental in the exploration of alternative cancer and immunological treatments, co-founding several medical research organizations and one of Denver’s largest blood laboratories. Greg and Kent have continued to excel in many community projects and philanthropic efforts. 

Judith Wagner–she began her own investment management company in 1975, becoming the first woman-owned investment firm in Colorado. Her primary focus was to educate women to manage their own investments. She continued to be involved in women-based organizations and foundations, empowering women to excel and succeed by providing financial support and advice.