 Montrose Firms Earn Accolades
Three Companies Receive Inaugural Awards in Program Sponsored by College, Chamber
Three Montrose businesses won the inaugural Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards in a program sponsored by Mesa State College and the Montrose Chamber of Commerce.
Jeans Westerner, Western Skyways and Woodland Communications Corp. were selected from a large pool of nominees for the awards. The winners were selected on the basis of their success in their market segments, creativity, management and contributions to the community.
Jeans Westerner represents the success of a family operation. Gene Omernick bought what was an Army surplus store in the early 1970s. He broadened the inventory and developed the business into a full-service sporting goods store.
He later handed over management of the operation to his daughter, Mary Mathis, and sons Tom and Steve Omernick.
In April 2001, Jeans Westerner opened in a new location on North Townsend Avenue. Floor space in the new store expanded to fill half a city block and includes an indoor archery range in addition to sporting goods, clothing and other merchandise and services.
Western Skyways began operations in 1994 and since has become a leading remanufacturer for aircraft engines. The company remanufactures about. 400 engines a year, including its popular Gold Seal and Certified Millennium engines.
In September, the company broke ground on a $1.5 million manufacturing facility at the Montrose Regional Airport. The new 27,000-square-foot facility will include an engine shop, hangar and office space.
Western Skyways employs nearly 60 people and expects to hire an additional 100 people over the next five years.
Al Head, president of Western Skyways, has been active in the community. He has served as president of the Montrose Manufacturers Association and also has been involved in the School- to-Career Partnership.
Woodlands Communications Corp. operates the KUBC and KKXK radio stations. Since Steven Glassman purchased the operation in 1988, the stations have increased revenue about 190 percent while improving programming and community involvement.
In addition to its economic contributions to the community, the stations offer no-cost advertising to nonprofit groups and employees donate their time in community ventures.
Glassman is personally involved in a number of organizations. He serves as chairman of the Montrose Economic Development Corp. board. He also belongs to the Montrose Memorial Hospital Board and Montrose Rotary Club.
Reprinted with permission from The Business Times of Western Colorado, February 6, 2002
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