Delta Blog

The 2005 Debin Benish Outstanding Business Woman Award, a business grant designed for Columbia-area businesswomen who have achieved excellence in leadership, mentoring and volunteerism, was awarded to Lili Vianello at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on June 9th,2005. Lili Vianello is the owner and president of Visionworks Marketing & Communications, a full-service marketing and image consulting firm offering award-winning works in advertising, graphic design, public relations, event coordination and media planning & placement. This award honors Lili’s extremely extensive list of volunteering efforts coupled with starting and successfully running Visionworks Marketing & Communications for a decade.

The award was spearheaded by Women’s Network and Delta Systems Group to honor Debin Benish, Delta Systems Group’s founder and former owner. Sadly, Debin lost her battle with cancer on June 14th, 2005 but this award will live on to continue to celebrate the distinguished efforts of women in business throughout Mid-Missouri.

Steve Powell, 33, President of Delta Systems Group, Inc., was recognized as a member of Columbia’s 40 Under Forty Class of 2005.

The 40 Under Forty award is sponsored by the Columbia Business Times, which each year chooses forty young Columbia business owners who exemplify the values of leadership, entrepreneurship, achievement, community involvement and ambition.

A leader and contender in the world of information technology, Steve Powell seeks to support established organizations that promote life enrichment and maintain what he considers to be Columbia’s excellent quality of living.

Powell has two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering, and has had extensive computer management, IT, and software development experience with Mid-Missouri companies like Toastmaster, Inc. and Automated Business Solutions. Being a serial entrepreneur, Powell started SoftCell Communications, MessageOne, Ticket Topper, and recently bought his current company, Delta Systems Group, which has been named a 2004 Small Business of the Year Finalist by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

Powell is also actively engaged in the community through his donation of resources to Woodcrest Chapel, Job Point, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and the Central Missouri Food Bank.

Tim Rich, Associate Director for the Central Missouri Food Bank, lauded Powell as a professional and an asset to the community of Columbia.

“I’ve worked with Steve for years, and am always amazed at his generosity and expertise in his field,” Rich said. “He’s contributed thousands of dollars worth of service to us in developing tracking software for our clients – which has enabled us to receive more funding – and for our volunteer database, which has saved us resources by being able to consolidate efforts in coordinating volunteer hours. I’ve always been impressed with how he deals with people and clients. He has a long term vision which often foresees what a client may need in the future.”

In addition to his business acumen, Powell is also an accomplished amateur photographer specializing in Mid-Missouri scenes. Among his photo credits are the 2004 and 2005 Columbia Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Guide and Directory, the cover shot for the 2005 Boone Electric Coop Calendar; and several interior photos for the 2004 and 2005 Mid Missouri Weather Calendar.

Powell and his wife turned down opportunities to relocate in New York City, Chicago, Austin, and Massachusetts, because they wanted to continue building relationships and a community here in Columbia.

“My wife and I have been in Columbia for 14 years,” Powell said. “I want to continue to encourage responsible and intelligent community growth in all four geographical directions. I would entice more businesses and events to the area that promote Columbia as a tourism destination.”

Powell and his wife Kristi are expecting a baby boy in early July.