Eugene car dealer Phil Speers, GloryBee Foods and the Eugene Mission have been named as this year’s recipients of ethical leadership awards by Northwest Christian University’s Center for Leadership & Ethics.
“Phil Speers, GloryBee and the Eugene Mission embody the very best of what we strive to teach our students in the classroom and through internships and missional work,” Keith Potter, NCU’s vice president for advancement, said in a news release announcing the awards.
“We applaud these real-life examples of integrity and ethical leadership and point to them as the business examples of the values our institution holds dear: wisdom, faith and service.”
Speers, a father of three and chief executive of Sheppard Motors, is a “wonderful example of a faith-filled businessman who is devoted to improving the lives of those around him,” according to NCU.
“His whole-person approach to each member of his company’s team is an exemplary model for our community. The lives of his employees are enriched daily by the availability of a life coach who provides confidential financial and personal guidance. Further, the company’s core values exude integrity, along with personal and professional growth and accountability. Phil believes wholeheartedly in contributing to our community, and has supported the Relief Nursery in particular since moving to Eugene in 1999. He has also maintained Sheppard Motors’ prominent support for the Rotary Duck Race over the last 30 years.
“In addition, Phil and his wife, Lisa, support schools in the community, Bridgeway House, the Eugene Mission, Camp Harlow, OSLP, WomenSpace, and Eugene Young Life, to name a few.”
GloryBee, a second-generation family business, has become a leader in the natural foods industry and a “pillar of the Eugene business community,” NCU said.
“Beginning in Dick and Pat Turanski’s garage in 1975, GloryBee has been built upon a foundation “consisting of a belief in God and educating people about healthy living. GloryBee strives to have the highest possible ethical and moral standards for themselves and towards their customers. As a supplier of honey, sweeteners, spices, dried fruits, nuts, oils, and other quality ingredients, GloryBee has made an indelible mark in the world of food manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest, all the while providing a high standard of stewardship of the environment and of their own resources.
“In addition, GloryBee chooses to generously invest in the lives of their local Eugene-area employees and in local nonprofit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, the Eugene Mission, Food For Lane County, School Garden Project of Lane County, and others.”
The Eugene Mission is Eugene-Springfield’s only full-service “wellness center for the homeless, serving over 750 Lane County residents daily and providing them with a path off the streets,” NCU said.
“Guided by the love of God, and a love of our neighbor,” the mission offers supportive services and programs that “change lives, give encouragement, and provide connections to area resources, jobs, education and training, so that guests leave with sustainable income, stable housing and hope.”
The three award recipients will be honored during NCU’s ninth annual “An Evening of Tribute” on May 11, presented by Moss Adams LLP. The event is a benefit for the university’s student scholarship fund.
NCU, a private institution, was founded in 1895 and is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in traditional undergraduate, adult degree and graduate programs.
Source: Eugene Mission, GloryBee Foods and Phil Speers honored by Northwest Christian University as published in the Register Guard April 27, 2017