The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc. are pleased to announce the 2018 inductees into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame, representing Colorado’s most distinguished business leaders from the past and present:
- Barbara Barnes Grogan
- Gil E. and James M. Johnson
- William B. Pauls
- Richard C. Saunders
- Joseph Kernan Weckbaugh
- Philip and Adolph J. Zang
These laureates, selected for their enduring and innovative professional contributions to Colorado, inspirational and ethical acumen and philanthropic endeavors, will be inducted at the 28th annual Colorado Business Hall of Fame Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The event is generously underwritten by UMB Bank. For details about this event or to purchase a table or tickets, please visit JAColorado.org
2018 Colorado Business Hall of Fame Laureates
Barbara Barnes Grogan
In 1982, Barbara Grogan founded Western Industrial Contractors with a very inauspicious beginning, but became a nationally recognized industrial construction company, working throughout the nation for major national companies and on security systems and baggage handling systems at more than 300 airports. Grogan was the first female chair of both the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Denver Branch, and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. In addition to business development initiatives, Grogan is deeply involved in the nonprofit community. Since her retirement, Grogan has focused her time and energy primarily on children and family issues, with an emphasis on education.
Gil E. (1933-2000) and James M. Johnson
As CEO of G.E. Johnson, Jim Johnson is building on his father’s legacy, not just following it. The company is Colorado Springs’ largest locally owned and operated commercial builder, and one of the biggest in the state and the Rocky Mountain region. Through the years, G.E. Johnson has either built, expanded or renovated all or portions of some of the highest profile structures in Colorado Springs. Outside of Colorado, G.E. Johnson has worked on schools, hospitals, prisons, high-end resort housing and advanced technology buildings. The company culture founded by Gil carries on no matter the project or location: caring and commitment to family and community. Jim’s passion for community service and client satisfaction drives him as he continues to lead the company in its 50th year of operation.
William B. Pauls
William B. Pauls established William B. Pauls & Co. Chartered Accountants in 1971. Five years later, Pauls merged the company with Deloitte Haskins and Sells, where he served as a national partner in the firm. In 1979, Pauls led an investment group that acquired the Denver Technological Center (DTC) from First National City Corp. Home to several major businesses and corporations, DTC is a hub for business in the southeastern corridor of the metro area that has grown steadily during the past 40 years. Pauls is the chairman of PAULS, an investment and real estate development company organized in 1989. For more than 25 years, the company has developed and owned land, office and industrial buildings and residential buildings in Denver, Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Toronto and Calgary.
Richard C. Saunders
In 1972, Richard C. Saunders founded Saunders Construction, Inc. His foundation for the business was honesty, performance and accountability – defining characteristics of the company to this day. As chairman and primary stockholder of Saunders Construction, Saunders has overall decision-making authority with regard to company strategies and fiscal policy. He provides strong leadership to the board of directors and remains active and up-todate in all aspects of the company’s significant activities. Saunders lends much of his time and money to better Colorado communities. He has served on as many as 14 boards at a time for most of the past 40 years, generally promoting children, education and civic causes.
Joseph Kernan Weckbaugh (1908-1988)
Joseph Kernan Weckbaugh, a Colorado native, was a tireless promoter for the state of Colorado and the city of Englewood. He is best known for his lifelong commitment to the Colorado banking industry. He bought the beleaguered First National Bank of Englewood in the late 1940s and founded the University Hills Bank, Lakeside National Bank and Security National Bank. He used these four banks to form the bank holding company of First Colorado Bankshares Inc., the first bank holding company in the 10th Federal Reserve District. Nothing was more important to Weckbaugh than helping people. He was instrumental in founding Junior Achievement in Colorado and served as a member of the organization’s first board of directors.
Philip (1826-1898) and Adolph J. (1856-1916) Zang
In 1853, Philip and his brother left Germany to seek opportunity in America. Working as a railroad hand during his first months in the United States, Philip married Elizabeth Hurlebaus, who passed away young, leaving Philip with only one child, Adolph J. Zang. Philip moved to Kentucky and started the Phoenix Brewery, which he owned and operated until 1869. At that time, Philip moved to Denver and bought the Rocky Mountain Brewing Company and the name was changed to Philip Zang & Co. In 1889, Philip sold his brewery to a European syndicate and the name changed to Philip Zang Brewing Company. Philip appointed his son, Adolph, as general manager of the company, a duty he served until 1912, when he resigned to head the Zang Investment Company.
Adolph Zang was a businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. The Zangs’ mining prospects represented some of the most successful operations of the time, centering their mines in San Juan and Gilpin counties. In addition to these, the Zangs started one of the most famous mines in Colorado: the Vindicator mine in Cripple Creek.