Elmer F. Pierson*

Elmer Pierson was born in 1896, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. From the time he was a clerk in his father's small grocery store, Pierson believed in the importance of education.

After serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in World War I, Pierson financed night classes at the Kansas City School of Law by working as a salesman for a wholesale grocery firm. In 1933, he became the youngest president of the Kansas City Real Estate Board. Later, he was president of the Chamber of Commerce.

In 1937, with an idea and $15,000, he and his brother founded the Vendo Company to manufacture vending equipment. By 1963, Vendo had annual sales of more than $75 million and operated internationally.

Pierson initiated a profit-sharing program at a time when few such plans existed. He financed both the construction of the University of Missouri at Kansas City and the land for a combination junior high school and park, named in his honor. Pierson's educational grants-in-aid and scholarships extend throughout the nation. He originated a continuing counseling program for a class of Eagle Scouts and held Scouting's Beaver Award.