Larry Stone is the president and founder of three companies: SCAFCO Steel Stud Manufacturing Co., L.B. Stone Properties Group, and CWallA Building Materials.

Over the past year, however, he's thrust himself into Spokane's political conversation as a founder and chair of Spokane’s newly formed Spokane Business Association, a group that's looking to improve public safety, cleanliness, and economic stability in the city of Spokane and to create a welcoming environment for visitors and businesses. The organization's first annual meeting attracted more than 700 attendees. 

A long-time entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate of the city, Stone is hoping to make Spokane a better place. His one wish for Spokane is to stop allowing camping, sitting or lying on public property, and open drug and alcohol use in the city.

Separately, a nonprofit that Stone helped form, Spokane Ponderosa, has planted 130,000 native Ponderosa Pine trees on transportation corridors and in low-income neighborhoods.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it? Laborer. I gained respect for work and hardworking folks.

Did you go to college? If so, what degree did you earn? If not, did you receive any training that has furthered your career? My best training has been my hard-working employees and customers.

Who has been a significant influence in your life and career? My great employees.

What's the best piece of advice you've received? Work hard.

What advice would you have for others looking to follow a career path similar to yours? Work hard.