Dalby, Wendland & Co., P.C., recently announced the 2015 recipients of its “Spirit of Western Colorado®” award. ColCal Companies (Grand Junction), Gran Farnum Printing (Glenwood Springs), Del-Mont Consultants (Montrose), and Dennis W. Wagner (retired Dalby Wendland Principal) each received a beautiful bronze eagle statue during a luncheon ceremony on November 6th.
Since 2004, DWC has proudly and publicly recognized individuals and businesses that create lasting legacies throughout western Colorado. The awards honor the pioneer spirit of the west, which embodies vision, skill, and a can-do attitude that contribute for the better in our communities.
Congratulations to these recipients for representing the true Spirit of Western Colorado!
About ColCal Companies
Ken Basinger went to work in 1977 as a Taco Bell assistant manager trainee “with no intention of ever making it a career.” Through his hard work and dedication, Ken quickly proved himself to then company owner, John Moss, who was so impressed with Ken, he gave him an ownership interest in the company. Ken is now the sole owner of the five Taco Bell locations here in the Grand Valley and 19 locations in the Central Valley of California. In 2014, Ken won the prestigious Glen Bell Award which recognizes the franchisee who best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that Glen Bell, the late Taco Bell founder, brought to the restaurant business.
Ken and ColCal Companies have shown an outstanding commitment to community, historically integral in supporting Sober Grad and the Taco Bell Tennis Tournament. Today, many local nonprofit organizations such as Mesa County Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A) and The House (homeless shelter for teens) benefit from the generosity of Ken and ColCal Companies.
(Pictured back: Selina Stone (second left) is flanked by DWC representatives Chris Allen, Steve Hovland, Chris West, and Sabrina Hoyt. L-R middle: ColCal Companies staff and family – Lonnie Crown, Kendi Basinger, Ken Basinger, Kyle Basinger, Katy Basinger. Front: Trevor Hochevar)
About Gran Farnum Printing
From the arrival of Gran Farnum’s grandfather, Henry Farnum, to Denver in 1859 to Gran’s father, William, working as an “ink boy” at the Fairplay Flume during his childhood, the Farnum family has a long history in Colorado. After graduating from Western State College, Gran became a general manager for a church mail order business that his step-father and mother owned. Soon thereafter, Gran and his wife Glenda moved to Glenwood Springs where they began the lifelong work of learning the printing business. They began with a small building and two printing presses and founded Gran Farnum Printing in 1979. Today, Gran Farnum Printing is known for their exceptional quality work, technological savvy and meticulous detail.
Gran Farnum Printing is a strong supporter of our schools and community. During the last 36 years, they have had their hand in publishing local authors such as Anita McCune Witt who wrote They Came from Missouri: The History of Missouri Heights Colorado. They have also invested in future authors – seventh graders who authored their own books have had the opportunity to publish them and see how a real printing press works, perhaps inspiring them to their own future writing success.
(Pictured L-R back: DWC representatives, Duane Antes, Kevin Gibson, Steve Carver, Lynn Kleager, Mike West. Front: Gran and Glenda Farnum (middle) are flanked by DWC representatives Mark Groves and Greg Keller.)
About Del-Mont Consultants
Del-Mont Consultants was founded by Merlin (Smitty) Smith in Montrose in 1978 with an initial engineering and survey focus on municipal support in Delta and Montrose Counties (hence the Del-Mont name). Today, Del-Mont Consultants is owned and managed by Steve Stevenson, Bill Starnes, and Ron Barrett. They have grown to a full service Civil Engineering, Surveying, and Project Management firm licensed to perform Engineering and/or Surveying in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
With a professional staff of seven licensed engineers, six licensed surveyors, three senior computer aided design designers, and four field survey crews, Del-Mont has developed expertise and strong experience with particular emphasis on high voltage transmission line surveys; substation 3D modeling and drainage designs; EPA and CDPHE stormwater plans and permitting; water and wastewater system designs, site plans and drainage designs; FEMA Flood Studies, road designs, subdivision and site designs (commercial, residential and industrial); aerial, boundary, route, and topographic surveying; construction staking; and engineering support for the Western Fuels Coal Mine in Nucla, CO.
In addition to their commitment to providing excellent service to their clients, the people of Del-Mont are also committed to the communities in which they live and work, regularly serving on various boards and otherwise supporting community activities.
(Pictured L-R back: DWC representatives, Bob Eakin, Buck Miller, Essie Becker, Susan Fezer, Denise Distel. L-R middle: Del-Mont representatives, Jack Starnes, Jim Roberts, Tom Kearney, Steve Stevenson, Rick Weaver. L-R front: Del-Mont representatives, Robyn Starnes, Sandy Roberts, Susan Stevenson, Kathy Weaver.)
About Dennis W. Wagner
After serving in the military and graduating from CU, Boulder, Dennis started his career with Price Waterhouse, before joining Dalby Wendland in 1978. He became a shareholder in 1980, firm principal in 1981, and served on the DWC board of directors for 25 years. He was president of the firm from 1995-2005. He also served in the important compliance role for DWC as director of audit for many years.
Dennis’s career experience and expertise led him to be recognized state-wide as a leading expert in fraud prevention, detection and investigations, and forensic accounting and investigations, doing work on high dollar fraud cases in several industries. One case in particular in the early 80s, included an investigation in which the fraud totaled $66 million dollars. In addition to Certified Public Accountant, he earned certifications as a Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Valuation Analyst, and Certified Financial Forensics.
Dennis recalls his career as rewarding and could not think of any other job he’d like to do more than accounting. He retired from Dalby Wendland in 2013; however he still provides audit consulting work when needed.
(Pictured L-R back: Sarah Menge, Chris Allen, Steve Hovland, Nate Fyock. L-R front: Jeff Wilson, Dennis and Kathy Wagner, Kat Fraser, Kelsa Frary.)
