Marathon Building Environments President Greg Wolff, who founded the Columbia business in 1987, announced his retirement on January 28.
Wolff sold his shares of the business to his partner, Frank Sovich, who has been with Marathon 15 years. He also sold the Marathon building at 1715 Paris Road to Sovich. Marathon Building Environments is now owned by Sovich and minority shareholder Patrick Marks.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Columbia businesses the past 32 years,” Wolff said. “Frank and the Marathon management team will continue to support the wants and needs of our clientele and team members.”
Marathon provides commercial interior design service and sells office furniture, flooring and window treatments. Most of mid-Missouri’s biggest businesses and institutions are on their client list. This includes:
- American Outdoor Brands
- Columbia Public Schools
- University of Missouri Healthcare
- Central Bank of Boone County
- Shelter Insurance
- University of Missouri
“Our team is thrilled to see our products in so many local businesses,” Sovich says. “We look forward to continuing to grow Marathon Building Environments—helping our neighbors work in comfortable, beautiful offices, schools and hospitals.”
Helping our neighbors work in comfortable, beautiful offices, schools and hospitals.
An example of Marathon’s growth is the expansion of its furniture sales west of Columbia in 2018. With Steelcase chairs in their product line, businesses seek out Marathon for solutions to creating collaborative, flexible workspaces.
Sovich has worked hand-in-hand with Wolff since he joined the business in 2004. Sovich graduated from MU in 1987. After graduation, he went to work for the May Co. in St. Louis. He made his way back to Columbia by way of a management position at Textron. That business was sold in 2004, and Sovich decided to look for a business ownership opportunity. He found Wolff and Marathon, and decided this was the business for him.
“Seeing the results of our work is a thrill,” Sovich says. “I am excited to keep growing what Greg started.”
Creative by The Evoke Group.
