OVERLAND PARK –– Gov. Mark Parkinson Thursday night named BTI of Greensburg the winner of the Governor’s Award of Excellence at the annual Kansas Cavalry Encampment at Johnson County Community College.
The two awards are the state’s top business honors and serve as the highlight of the Kansas Cavalry Encampment, the state’s annual celebration of Kansas business.
“We are honored to present BTI of Greensburg and Cereal Ingredients of Leavenworth with the state’s top business awards,” Parkinson said. “These companies embody Kansas ingenuity and values, and they illustrate what a great place Kansas is to live, work and do business.”
BTI is a fourth-generation John Deere dealership specializing in sales and maintenance of farm and ranching equipment.
On the evening of May 4, 2007, a massive tornado ripped through Greensburg, leveling the town and taking 12 lives. Among the many businesses wiped off the map was BTI-Greensburg, a fourth-generation John Deere dealership owned by Mike and Kelly Estes.
On May 5, Mike and Kelly — like every Greensburg resident and entrepreneur — were faced with a decision: Move elsewhere and start over, or stay and rebuild? Well, as we all know, the city collectively opted for the latter, thanks in part to Mike and Kelly, who emerged as a driving force in bringing the business community together after the storm. Mike and Kelly set an example for the rest of the community by planning their own “green” rebuilding efforts and expansion.
Pratt, Kan. —
