Charley Jones, president of Stinker Stores, named ‘Idaho Business Leader of the Year’

Charley Jones of Boise, co-owner and president of Stinker Stores (http://www.stinker.com) and its affiliated companies, is the Idaho Business Leader of the Year (IBLOY) 2011.

The award annually recognizes an Idaho business leader who has demonstrated outstanding business and professional ethics and supported community, civic and education activities.

Jones will receive the award at the showcase event of the Idaho State University Delta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi in the Stephens Performing Arts Center at Idaho State University on Thursday, March 10.  Alpha Kappa Psi is the professional business fraternity at ISU.

Jones graduated with honors from the University of Idaho in 1974 earning a B.S. in business, major in accounting. He was recently honored with the University of Idaho Alumni Association's 2011 Silver and Gold Award recognizing his distinguished record of achievement and service to the University.

Following graduation and completion of his active duty service requirement with the U. S. Army, Jones returned to Boise and began his business career in public accounting. His 35-year career includes work as a CPA, staff accountant and controller for private and public companies, and president of an Anheuser-Busch beer distributorship. He became a business owner in 2002 when he and his business partner, Shawn Davis, purchased Stinker Stores.

Stinker Stores is an iconic Idaho company founded by Farris Lind in the late 1930's. Stinker Stores is best known in Idaho for its Skunk logo and irreverent humor on highway road signs in the 50's and 60's. When Jones and Davis purchased Stinker

Stores in 2002, many of the "business opportunities" looked more like massive problems. There were many old stores that had been poorly maintained and employee morale was low. Financial systems and controls were deficient and in some cases nonexistent. The deteriorating financial condition of the company in recent years had forced the sale by the founding family.

Piling more debt on a company that is already struggling financially is a questionable strategy, but that was the business plan. Jones and Davis convinced Zions Bank and Sinclair that they could turn the business around. Eight years later, the business turnaround is going well and the business is pursuing new opportunities to grow.

Jones points to Stinker's strengths in 2011:

• 48 stores throughout Idaho and over 430 engaged employees in three integrated business units (Stinker Stores, Westpoint Transportation, and Arrowrock Supply)

• Experienced, talented, and diverse management team

• Sophisticated financial reporting systems and controls that deliver accurate, timely, and relevant information

• Industry leader in retail and wholesale sales of renewable biofuels    

     – E10 ethanol blended gasoline

     – E85 ethanol blended gasoline

     – Biodiesel

• 21^st largest privately held company in Idaho as recognized in the 2010 edition of Idaho Private 75, published by The Idaho Statesman

Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of Zions First National Bank and has served in that role since 2006. His professional and industry memberships include:  Idaho Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, NACS

Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing, SIGMA Petroleum Marketers, Sinclair Executive Distributor Council, Treasure Valley Clean Cities Coalition, Boise Valley Chamber of Commerce, Buy Idaho, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Idaho Society of Certified Public Accountants.

A portion of Jones' volunteer, community service, and charitable support activities include: Boise Sunrise Rotary Club, Idaho Food Bank, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Operation Education – University of Idaho, American Red Cross, University of Idaho Vandal Scholarship Fund, and First United Methodist Church "Cathedral of the Rockies."

Jones attributes his success at Stinker Stores to the hard work of the dedicated Stinker Team. His advice to younger generations in search of business and personal success is: "Re-invent – persevere – never quit. Life is a journey. Where you are headed is more important than where you are."

One of Jones' favorite quotes is:

"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has genius and power and magic in it."  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Individual tickets to the March 10 award banquet as well as event sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Brittne Russum, Alpha Kappa Psi IBLOY chair, at 208-254-0879 or by e-mail at russbrit@isu.edu.