Owner of Ernest-Spencer
Bachelors in Business Administration Management from Kansas State University
3 Words to Describe Yourself:
Faithful
Leader
Caring
Best advice received:
The best advice that I have ever received was from my friend, David Smith. In college I dated my wife Cora. Being young I didn’t make wise decisions at times. One of those decisions was to break up with her. In fact, I did it twice. I hurt so bad each time I did it and tried to convince myself it was the right thing. David was the first person to tell me not to worry about those around me or the things I thought were right. He simply said, “Follow your heart.” I listened to his wise advice and begged Cora to take me back, AGAIN.
Fortunately, she did take me back and after 13 year of marriage she remains the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Biggest fear:
As a Christian I learned through faith not to fear. God has a plan, and it is best to have faith and trust in that plan. This doesn’t mean that the idea of something doesn’t scare me. An example of that would be the loss of family. The idea is horrible and scary, but I don’t fear it or let such a thing control me.
If you had 10 minutes to talk to anyone, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Easy one. My father was my best friend. We spent an enormous amount of time over the years just talking about life, family and business. I miss those conversations enormously and would be ecstatic to talk to him again. I would tell him all about his grandkids and how wonderful they are. He loved children and would be so excited to hear about them.
I would talk about the success of our family business and how hard I am working to make him proud and continue the family legacy set forth three generations before me.
Involvement:
- Topeka Active 20-30 Club – board member
- Meriden /Ozawkie Chamber of Commerce: Executive Board Member
- Topeka Area Catbackers: President
- First Southern Baptist Church: Stewardship Team Leader
“Neal has thrived after taking over his father’s company. His companies give over 100 Shawnee County citizens jobs and he is still looking to grow. Even more impressive is that he still finds time to give back through his charity work with children. He is making Topeka and Shawnee County a better place in more ways than one.”
- Brett Oetting, Parrish Management