Recognizing Significant Contributions in Economic Development

The Richard A. King Award

The Richard A. King Award was established by MEDFA’s Board of Directors to honor the memory of one of our “Founding Fathers” and most dedicated supporters. Dick served on MEDFA’s Board since the association’s beginning in 1991, and as President from 1999-2001.

MEDFA honors Dick’s memory each by presenting the “Richard King Award” to a person, company, project, or municipality who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, has made a significant contribution to economic development in the state of Missouri. The award winner is recognized each year at the Annual Conference.

Past Richard A. King Award Winners

2007 – Kay Barnes, Former Mayor, Kansas City, MO
2008 – City of St. Joseph, Triumph Foods Project
2009 – Karen Messerli, Mayor of Lee’s Summit, MO
2010 – Mike White, Chairman, Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.
2011 – Rob O’Brien, Former President, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce
2012 – Denny Coleman, President, St. Louis County Economic Council
2013 – Sallie Hemenway, Dir. Business & Community Svs, MO DED
2014 – Patrick Bannister, Deputy Exec Director, St. Louis Dev Corp.
2015 – Mark Grimm, Shareholder, Gilmore & Bell, P.C.
2016 – Mike Downing, Former Director, Missouri DED
2017 – Doug Stone, Attorney, Lewis Rice LLC
2018 – Otis Williams, Executive Director, St. Louis Development Corporation
2019 – Bill Moore, Attorney, Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.
2020 – Jim Mello, Attorney, Armstrong Teasdale
2021 – Mary Smith, Former Planning & Development Director, City of Springfield
2022 – John Brancaglione, Senior Director, PGAV
2023 – Dale Ruthsatz, Retired, St. Louis Development Corporation