For several decades, local consultant Rick Ball has been helping business owners and investors make sound decisions about their futures.  He founded Ball Consulting Group LTD, specializing in offering financial and management consulting.
Ball was recognized as the 2012 Citizen of the Year for his commitment to the Great Bend community. He received the honor during the 91st Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Banquet Saturday night at the Great Bend Convention Center.
Managing acquisitions, orchestrating mergers, and transacting business deals is all part of Ball’s impressive portfolio of experience, but most of it has been done behind the scenes.
After earning a degree in accounting and becoming a certified public accountant in 1978, Ball began working with local businesses of all varieties. His local influence began when he founded Ball Consulting Group LTD, specializing in offering financial and management consulting. His ties with oil and gas, packing plant cleaning services, agriculture, ranching, real estate, and banking since that time have created an impressive resume.
Ball has been instrumental in several community projects, including the purchase of CPI Qualified Plan Consultants in 2004. The complex transaction involved numerous local investors, bank and seller financing, municipal financing, and other factors, but his main priority was negotiating the preservation of jobs for Great Bend residents.
In 2008, he was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a Financial Services Champion of the Year.
Most recently, Ball orchestrated the purchase of Fuller Brush out of bankruptcy proceedings. He worked with a local financial group and investors to secure ownership of the business and facility through real estate financing from two local banks. His diligent work to keep ownership local was driven by the desire to preserve approximately 200 local jobs.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ball also has an impressive volunteer service record.
He has served as the chairman for United Way and for the Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving in Kiwanis Club, Barton Community College Booster Club, Mid-Kansas Economic Development Commission, Kansas Oil & Gas Museum, St. Rose Hospital Foundation, and Barton Academic Fund Campaign. Ball was a founding member of the Golden Belt Community Foundation, and belongs to several professional accounting groups.
Rick lives in Great Bend, with his wife Lois of 36 years. They have two children.

Citizen of the Year Criteria
Annually, the Chamber recognizes outstanding service by an individual who contributes to the quality of life in Great Bend.
The award winner is also someone who gives of his time, talent and energy to help the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce excel.
Additionally, the award recognizes people who provide outstanding service to the community, or it recognizes people who have excelled in their chosen professions and serve as role models in the community.