Central McGown CEO Named Small Busines Owner of the Year
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Central McGowan president/CEO
Joe Francis has been named the Small Business Owner of the Year recipient as part of the chamber s 2021 Small Business Awards.
Originally started in 1947, Francis grandfather bought the business in 1954.Francis began working at Central McGowan at 16-years-old.
He says while it was always the plan to one day take over the family business, it was the unexpected passing of his father in 2011, that sped up the process.
I was dedicated and committed from an early age, so my Mom and I said to ourselves, we had a lot of good people and were in a great position to continue the legacy forward.
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Brandl Motors Owners Earn Chambers Entrepreneurial Success Award
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Joe Sexton and
Gary Posch, owners of Brandl Motors, are the 2021 Entrepreneurial Success Award winners as part of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce s Small Business Awards.
Both Sexton and Posch have always wanted to own their own business. In 1999 the two rolled the dice with an underperforming Chrysler dealership in Pierz that was up for sale.
Sexton says while they were eager to get started, it took a little more work to convince a bank and Chrysler they could make it a successful business.
High school graduations are weeks away, and while many central Indiana high schools are planning for in-person celebrations, the details are still subject to COVID-19.
Some schools have announced ticket limits, but with the stipulations that those numbers could change. Others are waiting until the ceremony is closer before bringing up ticket numbers. Some have also already announced livestreams for those who can t be there.
In addition to tickets, plans for social distancing, mask wearing and other elements of the event are still coming as schools and health departments watch the spread of COVID-19. Plus, districts stressed that plans are still subject to change and will include precautions made with local health departments. For those that are planning outside ceremonies, many have also announced rain dates.
St. Cloud Chamber/Facebook
(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce has announced this year’s business award winners.
Central McGowan owner Joe Francis is 2021 St. Cloud Area Small Business Owner of the Year.
Submitted by St. Cloud Chamber
Since becoming president/CEO in 2016, Francis has led the company through several expansions and acquisitions. He diversified the business from industrial gasses to include CO2 distribution to bars and restaurants, custom automation and robotics, and dry ice. And he has doubled the number of employees.
Francis always planned to take over the family business. He didn’t expect it to happen so soon.