CEO Roundtable w. Fred Parry

Columbia-based Shelter Insurance is the eighth largest employer in Columbia/Boone County, according to the latest numbers from Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI). Shelter has 1,115 employees in Columbia/Boone County, according to REDI numbers. Shelter Insurance president Rockne Corbin joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Mr. Corbin tells listeners that Shelter will do about $3.5 billion in business in 2026, mainly in autos and homes. He says Shelter writes in 20 states, which includes 14 states where they operate under the Shelter brand. Mr. Corbin grew up in Jefferson City and graduated from JC in 1982 before earning a business degree from what was then called Central Missouri State in Warrensburg. He started his career with Shelter as a claims adjuster and spent a lot of time climbing roofs. Mr. Corbin has been with Shelter for 35 years:

Voters in Columbia and throughout Boone County will cast ballots Tuesday on Proposition L, which calls for adding three-eighths-of a cent to the county’s current one-eighth cent law enforcement sales tax to fund a new county jail. Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey notes the word “jail” is not in L’s ballot language, saying there is specific language that must be used. Sheriff Carey joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable", telling listeners that Boone County has already spent more than $2.1 million this year housing inmates out-of-county. That does not include overtime for transportation. There are critics of Proposition L who say the new jail should have been a bigger priority that the regional law enforcement training center:

The Columbia Board of Realtors says the median home price in Boone County in September 2026 increased 12 percent to $370,000. The group says September sales were down 12 percent. Columbia Board of Realtors chief executive officer Brian Toohey joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Mr. Toohey tells listeners that we are in the beginning of a shift down. Mr. Toohey grew up in St. Louis and Atlanta and earned his bachelor degree from Fulton's Westminster College and his MBA from Fulton's William Woods. Mr. Toohey has served as chief executive officer of the Columbia Board of Realtors for 14 years. Mr. Parry and Mr. Toohey also discussed the definition of affordable housing:

The founder of shooting, hunting, outdoor and fishing internet retailer Midway USA was Saturday's guest on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Midway USA founder Larry Potterfield joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning. Midway USA has built its massive headquarters and distribution center near Rocheport. Mr. Potterfield also discussed Midway USA’s upcoming 50th anniversary and the company’s impact on our local community. Midway USA has earned the Malcolm Baldrige award three times. Mr. Potterfield tells listeners that they key is always working to improve on what you're doing. Midway USA is one of the largest employers in Columbia/Boone County, with 350 employees. Mr. Potterfield grew up on a farm in northeast Missouri's Marion County, attended Hannibal-Lagrange and earned a degree in accounting from Mizzou:

The Mid-Missouri Board of Realtors says August single-family home sales fell about 13 percent in Boone County. The median single family home price in August in Boone County stayed at about $350,000 and Columbia's dropped $950 to about $356,000. REMAX Boone Realty chief executive officer Elizabeth Mendenhall joined Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." She notes they have about 160 agents between REMAX Boone Realty and REMAX Jefferson City. Ms. Mendenhall is a sixth-generation realtor here and notes the Mendenhall family has been in the real estate business in Boone County since 1894. Fred and Ms. Mendenhall also discussed her father Richard, the issue of affordable housing and her recent role and what is called NAR:

Columbia water rates, electric rates, the Utilities Department and Columbia crime were some of the numerous topics addressed this weekend on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Host Fred Parry's guest in-studio was Comobuz publisher Mike Murphy, who also hosts the "Eagle Eye Drive at 5" on 939 the Eagle. Mr. Mr. Murphy reports Columbia water rates have increased ten percent, effective October 1. That's on top of 12 percent last year. Electric rates jumped six percent. Mike Murphy also outlined what he would like to do in an ideal situation by bringing in an outside consultant with Comobuz regarding Columbia Utilities:

Boone County's presiding commissioner says Proposition L is needed to fund a new county jail. Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick joined host Mike Murphy for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's “CEO Roundtable.” Mike and Commissioner Kendrick tackled several topics, including the jail, Proposition L, the county budget, the purchase of an animal hospital and Boone Health and Boone Hospital. Commissioner Kendrick and Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey support Proposition L, which will be on your November ballot in Columbia/Boone County. Proposition L calls for adding three-eighths-of a cent to the county’s current one-eighth cent law enforcement sales tax to fund a new county jail. Commissioner Kendrick tells listeners that the county spent $2.56 million in 2025 housing inmates in other counties. For the first half of 2026, that cost is $2.12 million, according to Kendrick. Commissioner Kendrick was elected presiding commissioner in 2022 and is unopposed for re-election in November:

Fast-growing Columbia-based Storagemart is now the world's largest privately owned storage company. It began with its first location on Columbia's Rangeline, near Big Bear. It now has 380 locations and about 800 employees. Storagemart president Mike Burnam appeared in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Mike earned his degree in agricultural economics from Mizzou. He and Mr. Parry outlined the company's growth:

Mid America Bank continues to be one of mid-Missouri's fastest-growing banks. It was founded more than 100 years ago in mid-Missouri's St. Thomas and they've built a new multi-million dollar bank on Stellar drive in south Columbia. Mid America Bank president Brad Roling discussed that growth and the importance of good service on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." He says when the current owners took over in the 1990s, Mid America Bank had three branches and about $20 million in assets. “We are now up to 11 branches, over 150 employees and $1.2 billion in assets," Mr. Roling tells listeners. He says there are very few community banks left. Mr. Roling grew up in Jefferson City, graduating from Helias Interparish high school and from Mizzou. He started as a teller at Boone County National Bank (now Central Bank) and moved to Mid America Bank in 2022:

The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture's (CCUA) website says its mission "works to enhance our community’s health by connecting people to agriculture and the land through hands-on learning opportunities, from seed to plate." CCUA executive director Billy Polansky joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable". Mr. Polansky grew up in Virginia and later worked in Little Rock, where he met his wife, who is from Columbia. He tells listeners that CCUA helps connect people to where their food comes from. Mr. Polansky also previewed the 17th annual Harvest Hootenanny, which takes place on Saturday September 19 from 4-8 pm at Columbia's agriculture park on West Ash: