Koch Chosen for Business Hall of Fame

Robert L. Koch II, president and CEO of Koch Enterprises, Inc. and Niel C. Ellerbrook, chairman, president and CEO of Vectren Corporation, have been named the first laureates for the inaugural year of the Evansville Business Hall of Fame.

During Bob’s acceptance speech, he stated, “One person alone cannot accomplish much. It is the team that delivers the goods. I’ve been fortunate to be part of a first class team and this award is really for the entire team. This award acknowledges the efforts and successes of all 3,000 team members. And for this, I want to thank each member of our team.”

The Hall of Fame, a joint venture between the Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana and the Evansville Business Journal, was created as a way to honor outstanding business leaders and to present business role models to the youth of Southwestern Indiana.

The two laureates were honored on March 16 at The Centre Ballroom. The ceremony featured video vignettes on each of their lives - outlining their entrepreneurial and managerial accomplishments. Each laureate received a crystal eagle, symbolizing the spirit of free enterprise.