Top of their Class

Krannert, Boiler Business Exchange induct inaugural Hall of Fame class

The Boiler Business Exchange of Indianapolis Inc. (BBE) teamed with Purdue’s Krannert School at the Leadership Speakers Series on Sept. 29 to induct its inaugural Business Hall of Fame class.

The Business Hall of Fame was created to acknowledge and showcase esteemed business leaders who have achieved exceptional success in the business arena and have predominant ties to both Purdue and the state of Indiana. The 2016 inaugural class of BBE’s Business Hall of Fame inductees are:

Jim BowenRobert Bowen (CE ’62, HDR ’07)

Chairman and Founder, Bowen Engineering Corp.

Bowen Engineering Corporation, a national general contractor for water/wastewater and power projects, has been recognized as a Top 25 Best Places to Work in America. In addition to his business success of Bowen, Bob is devoted to his community. His contributions include board or leadership roles with: Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Fine Arts Society of Indianapolis; Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Center for Leadership Development, and Indiana Commission for Higher Education. For their generous philanthropic efforts, The Bowens received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award. These efforts include: Bowen Foundation – providing post-high school scholarships to underprivileged students in Marion County; Science Bound, a Purdue program to encourage students from Indianapolis Public Schools to pursue sciences and technology careers; and their endowment toward the Robert L. and Terry L Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research in addition to its Bowen Laboratory Student Advisory Council (BSAC). Bob’s additional honors include: Michael A. Carroll Award, Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Purdue University, Honorary Doctor of Business Administration from University of Evansville, Distinguished Member of ASCE award, ASCE OPAL Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Construction, and Indianapolis Public Schools Hall of Fame. Bob is a graduate of the esteemed Harvard OPM Program (Owner/President Management).

James Dora Sr.James Dora Sr. (BSIEC ’58, HDR ’06)

Founder, General Hotels Corp.

Jim founded General Hotels Corporation, a developer and operator of award-winning hotels throughout Central Indiana. He enjoyed remarkable success in his other life affiliations as well – Sigma Chi Fraternity, Purdue University, and the city of Indianapolis. Too numerous to mention, his achievements include: several national Sigma Chi awards – Significant Sig of Sigma Chi, Sigma Chi Hall of Fame, and Order of the Constantine; involvement in numerous Purdue endeavors – Chairman to the President’s Council, Vision 21 Capital Campaign, Advisory Board for the RHIT Hotel School, a Purdue Order of the Griffin, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree; and active in numerous Indianapolis board and committees – Capital Improvement Board including serving as President ’85-’93, Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Corporate Community Council, Downtown Indy, Indianapolis Progress Committee, Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Waterways’ Task Force, and the 500 Festival Board of Directors. Jim was named Sagamore of the Wabash twice. Through the James and Shirley Dora Foundation, the Doras quietly provided educational grants to over 200 of Jim’s hotel employees, their children, and grandchildren. He enjoyed 57 years of marriage with his Purdue sweetheart, Shirley and his five children. A posthumous induction, Jim passed away June 2016.

Charlie JonesCharles (Charlie) Jones (BSSCI ’49)

Former President and CEO, Royal Title

From the humble beginning of owning a single abstracting and title insurance company, Charlie championed the growth of what is now known as Royal Title Services – boasting multiple branch offices throughout Indiana and servicing the entire nation. Through perseverance and goal setting he created a wide network of real estate related companies which manage, develop, invest, research and/or insure residential and commercial properties. His volunteer life started with 4-H and church and blossomed into numerous leadership roles, including: Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Elks, Moose, Kiwanis, Rotary, Board of Realtors, various Masonic Lodges, in addition to service on both the Indiana and American Land Title Association Boards. Living near Purdue made it possible to participate in many facets of post-Purdue life. In addition to many decades of supporting and attending football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball and CREW team, he is a Charter/Life member of the President’s Council, Life Member of the Alumni and John Purdue Clubs, Charter Member of the Friends of Convocations, Founder of the Purdue Club of Boone County, Member of the Purdue Clubs of Clinton, Hendricks, Bartholomew Counties, and Indianapolis, and has visited countless other Purdue Clubs throughout the country. He and his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Jones (’49, ’55 and ’71), were awarded the prestigious Black Coat Award for their continuous support of Purdue.

 

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