On Tuesday, April 1st, Job Point hosted its Annual Awards Banquet at the Courtyard by Marriott. A lively crowd gathered to celebrate the evenings’ honorees as Job Point kicked off their 60th year of serving central Missouri. Supporters also donated nearly $15,000 to help support Job Point’s greatest needs at the end of the evening.
Job Point announces and congratulates the following organizations and individuals from this year’s Awards ceremony.

Employer of the Year

The City of Columbia Public Works Street Division was honored as the 2024 Employer of the Year. They have been one of the organization’s longest-standing partners in the Highway Maintenance and Repair program.

Partner of the Year

When Job Point was approached about launching a new course in Warehousing and Logistics, they turned to many community businesses for input on curriculum, training, credential requirements and hiring processes. Columbia Safety and Supply, an integral part of this program today, was honored as Partner of the Year on Tuesday for their outstanding collaboration.

Volunteers of the Year

Brian and Cynthia Gardener, Volunteers of the Year, serve the organization in a different way, but at the end of the day they deliver the same results: confident students who feel encouraged and empowered to pass their High School Equivalency or HISET tests.

Employee of the Year

Last year, Travis Kroner, Job Point’s Director of Housing, added a building-wide flooring replacement project on top of everything else he was doing in his program, which meant additional management of students, belongings and schedules. But Travis didn’t miss a beat. Everything went as smoothly as a renovation job could go and everything else kept going like clockwork. Kroner was recognized as the 2024 Employee of the Year.

Awards of Excellence

Job Point’s Award of Excellence recognition highlights individuals for their perseverance through major obstacles in their lives and their drive toward car.eer success. This year, two young men were recognized who had previously graduated from Job Point’s YouthBuild and Highway Maintenance and Repair programs and have gone on to find great success in their respective careers. The other two honorees worked with Job Point’s Employment Services department to overcome obstacles and find career success.

Honorable Mention: David Bligh

David Bligh came to Job Point for support in finding a job that matched his interests and talents with his personality and needs. David worked closely with Job Point staff to identify what his career must-haves were and then matched that to a job that would help him get where he wanted to go. For almost a year, David has worked at The Broadway Hotel, where they have praised his diligence and ability to execute a task with laser-focused precision.

Award of Excellence Honorees

Randy Bobbitt

After graduating high school, Randy was worried about searching for a job. With a desire to work toward greater independence, he turned to Job Point’s Employment Services program to help make the search and transition easier. Working closely with Job Point staff, he identified his strengths and made a plan for addressing his potential challenges. After volunteering to gain more experience and doing some job shadowing and trials, he was able to attain a job at Bratcher’s Market in Moberly. From an initial hesitation, he has found a place where he can thrive, building relationships with his co-workers, developing great work habits and a strong routine and earning increased hours.

Watch Randy’s video.

Tyler Lutz

Tyler Lutz had already graduated from High School before he enrolled in Job Point’s YouthBuild program. He says he was looking for direction and opportunity as he considered his future. He earned his Highway Maintenance and Repair Credential and was accepted into Emery Sapp & Son’s On-The-Job Training program. He began working in the industry but soon realized that it was not the direction he wanted to go, although it helped him pay the bills as he enrolled in college. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and began working as a personal trainer, all the while dreaming of Olympic opportunity. While mourning the loss of his father in 2023, Tyler began his journey toward the Winter Olympics. Today, he is training to compete in the “Skeleton” event.

Watch Tyler’s video.

Trevor Lutz

Trevor Lutz enrolled at Job Point after dropping out of high school. He says he was less than motivated, but after he met the team at Job Point, his attitude changed. He earned his HISET and went on to earn credentials in Highway Maintenance and Repair. He leveraged this experience to secure a spot in an On-The-Job Training program with Emery Sapp and Sons. After he completed that program, he was hired as a full-time employee and he’s never looked back. He has poured himself into his work, learning everything he can and always asking questions. “Trevor has always been a good employee. Always on time. Usually in a good mood, works hard and gets along with others; willing to stay after work to make sure everything’s done and comes in early if needed. He’s all around a good hand,” Darrin Elder, his supervisor, said. After the loss of his father in 2023, Trevor says he’s grateful for his job at Emery Sapp and Sons and how it has allowed him to take care of his family.

Watch Trevor’s video.

Job Point also recognizes sponsors. Presenting sponsors: KOMU 8 and Columbia Cosmopolitan Luncheon Club helped underwrite the costs of the evening. Joe Machens Toyota sponsored the Award of Excellence Videos. First Mid Bank & Trust sponsored the Happy Hour. Hy-Vee donated floral arrangements.

Table of Excellence Sponsors which made this event possible:

Ameren Missouri, C&C Construction, Inc., Central Bank of Boone County, City of Columbia, Columbia Safety and Supply, Emery Sapp & Sons, Flat Branch Bank, Kilgore’s Medical Pharmacy, MEM, Moberly Area Community College, MU Health Care, Plaza Commercial Realty, Simmons Bank, TIG Advisors, Veterans United Foundation, and Williams-Keepers LLC.