Haney, Weavers Honored by Sedalia Business Women

Lori Haney was named the Sedalia Business Women (SBW) organization's 2017 - 2018 Woman of the Year at a public relations banquet held Thursday night at the Sedalia Country Club.

She joins a long line of previous SBW honorees that date back to 1979.

Haney also served as co-chair of the SBW's Public Relations Committee, which was in charge of Thursday's awards night.

In addition, Haney is executive director of Citizens Against Spouse Abuse (CASA). She has worked at CASA for seven years.

"Surprised, shocked, humbled and grateful" were the words she used to describe her reaction when Marry Merritt read aloud her name to the 84 people attending the annual PR banquet. Merritt was last year's Woman of the Year and served as chairwoman of this year's committee.

Even though her job is hard and stressful at times, Haney said she absolutely loves what she does. And she plans to continue her work with CASA. "As long as my board and this community will have me, I'm not going anywhere," she said following the banquet.

Several members of her family were hidden away until the announcement was made.

Don's Truck Towing was named the Sedalia SBW's 2017 Business of the Year. Don Weaver and his wife Cindy accepted the plaque from Business of the Year Committee Chairwoman Alesia Wissman.

"It's a great honor. I don't know if I'm that deserving, but I do appreciate it, my family appreciates it, and we appreciate all the community support through the years," Weaver said after receiving the award.

Weaver founded his family business in 1977 and is currently celebrating his 40th year in business. In fact, Weaver received an award one week earlier during the EDSPC's 13th annual Manufacturer’s Milestone Anniversary Recognition Dinner, also held at the Sedalia Country Club.

Jessica Craig, executive director of Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County (EDSPC), was the guest speaker for the evening.

Craig has served as director of EDSPC for about one year, but has worked in the economic development field for the past 15.

She noted the success of economic development in Pettis County by pointing out that over the past 12 years, her office has supported 55 business expansions and new businesses relocations in Sedalia, creating over 2,000 new jobs and $315M in new capital investment, with a total annual payroll of $85M.