Shivers to be named 'Christian Business Leader of the Year'

 | 04/01/2002

Roanoke, Va., businessman Ralph D. Shivers will be honored as the "Christian Business Leader of the Year" at Lipscomb University Wednesday. Shivers, a 1964 accounting graduate from Lipscomb University, is chairman and chief executive officer of The Branch Group, a holding company for four construction-related companies involved in heavy highway construction, commercial and industrial buildings, and mechanical and electrical contractors, with total revenues of $275 million. "That Ralph Shivers is an effective business leader is beyond question. It is that heritage, combined with his spiritual leadership in his church and active work in civic groups and professional organizations in the community, that make him the kind of leader we want our students to emulate," Flatt said. Shivers has served as chairman and CEO of The Branch Group since 1993. He also served Branch Highways Inc. as president and chief operating officer from 1982-98. He joined the firm in 1968 as vice president and office manager, and advanced to president and general manager in 1972. He has been a member of Roanoke church of Christ for 35 years and served the church as an elder from 1988-93. He is a member of the United Way of Roanoke Valley board of directors, is a previous member of the boards of directors of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and Roanoke Kiwanis Club. He is also a member of the Lipscomb University National Development Board. Shivers is a member and former president of the Virginia Road and Transportation Builders Association, and is a member of the Contract Administration Committee and former board member for the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. The Christian Business Leader of the Year is an annual award at Lipscomb, which seeks to present to students role models who have lived by Christian principles and have been highly successful in business. The award is presented by the university's College of Business.