Mitchell chamber honors locals for business successes

• Scott Supply honored

Son-in-law Pat Cannon, left, and daughter Joan Scott Cannon flank Wally Scott, whose four-generation company, Scott Supply, was honored as Mitchell’s Family Business of the Year at Friday’s Chamber of Commerce Recognition Banquet at the Highland Conference Center. (Ross Dolan/Republic)

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Scott Supply, founded in 1915, was honored with the Mitchell Family Business of the Year award Friday night during the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce Recognition Banquet at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell.

It was one of several awards presented during the event, which drew about 350 people.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Wally Scott, 96, after receiving the award. “I had more to say, but I was tongue-tied.

“I was six months old when my dad (Lew) began the company in Mount Vernon, and it’s been going strong ever since.”

The Scotts’ daughter Joan Scott Cannon and husband Pat Cannon, of Sioux Falls, attended the banquet.

Other family members were attending a business show in California and were unable to attend the presentation.

Joan is a music teacher and her husband operates a manufacturing firm in Sioux Falls.

“I was very impressed with the professional manner and dignity of the presentation that honored the four generations of our family,” she said.

Bob and John Scott are the third generation to operate the implement dealership and Chris Scott, who works as sales manger, represents the fourth generation at the Case International Harvester implement dealership.

Wally and his wife, Gladys, recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.

“We’re still talking,” she said by phone. Mrs. Scott was in ill health and was unable to attend Friday’s presentation.

Gladys hauled parts and worked as a bookkeeper during the firm’s early years, Wally said. The business opened its Mitchell dealership in 1962.

Honored with Mitchell’s first Tourism Excellence Award was Denise Werner and the Mitchell Soccer Association, for bringing two state soccer tournaments to Mitchell.

The Harold Hagen Award for Economic Development went to the founding members of Martin Group, a telecommunications firm that has since become CHR Solutions.

Keith Bartels accepted the award in a pre-filmed video. Family members of the late Doug Martin attended, and Harvey Kelley attended .

Another firm partner, Roger Musick, was previously honored with the same award.

“We tried and had a lot of fun doing it,” Kelley said. “We never thought about money. We thought about serving our clients and having high integrity and morals.”

Tim Grivna, known as Tim Smith on KMIT/KOOL98 Radio, was honored with the Community Service Award.

Smith has served on numerous community boards including LifeQuest, the Abbott House and the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce, and has been active in area sports organizations and served as president of the Mitchell Quarterback Club.

Smith, who has been named South Dakota Sportscaster of the Year multiple times, admitted to being caught off guard.

“I thank you so much for this award. You pulled off a good one on me,” Smith said.

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