Jack Henry marks 50 years of business

Jack Henry, the financial technology business based in Monett, celebrated its 50th anniversary with activities on June 2 and 3 that included burial of a special time capsule for the benefit of those who will open it in 20 years.

A special invitation was extended for a town hall gathering on June 2 with company staff to Monett Mayor Randy Burke and City Administrator Mickey Ary. A total of 480 Jack Henry associates attended the town hall in person in Monett on Tuesday, and more than 4,700 tuned in across the country to watch the livestream. Many attended office and remote watch parties. The widows of both co-founders, Brenda Henry and Pat Hall, were in attendance, and Pat was accompanied by several family members.

During the town hall, it was announced that Jack Henry’s Monett campus will officially be known as the Jerry Hall Campus and unveiled new signage near the Eisenhower entrance, formalizing that change.

On June 3, Chief Executive Officer Greg Adelson filmed one of his regular “Let’s Go with Greg” videos for the burial of a time capsule next to the memorial bench to founders Jack Henry and Jerry Hall. Joining Adelson in the ceremony were Kevin Sligar, chief technical architect for banking, who has been with the company 43 years; Brian Hunter, vice president of travel, with Jack Henry almost 37 years; and Mary Stluka, executive partner to the chief financial officer, who is retiring this year after 31 years.

The time capsule contained 10 items. These included historical items such as a copy of the 1977 corporation income tax return signed by Jack Henry, and a copy of stock certificate from 1985, marking a pivotal point when the company became publicly traded. A copy of the biographical book detailing the creation of the company, “You Don’t Know Jack (and Jerry)”, signed by Brenda Henry and Pat Hall, was added.

The founders stressed frequently over the years three core values to associates, known as the Jack Henry Way: do the right thing, do whatever it takes, and have fun. Embodying those values is the mythical creature, the Jackerry. One such stuffed animal was placed in the capsule.

To reflect the state of the firm at the moment of the time capsule burial, a document showing the resources required to sustain daily operations, “a breakdown of what it costs to keep the lights on in 2026,” was added.

For those who will open the capsule in 20 years, contents included a 50th challenge coin, a token commemorating a shared dedication over five decades. A laminated letter to the future from Greg Adelson and the corporate leadership team, offering their perspective to those who will follow them, was added, along with a signed group photo. Fiftieth anniversary buttons, stickers, a T-shirt, a legacy mug, and “Dad Jokes,” a collection of “words of wisdom” from former CEO and current board chairman Dave Foss, was added.

The capsule was covered with a bronze plaque with the date and the words, “Sealed by Associates to honor our past, our people, and what comes next.”

Brian Hunter spoke about starting as a pilot and working for years as the company’s chief pilot. He observed, “Jack and Jerry had a fantastic way of creating loyalty. I didn’t know this was a career opportunity. I thought I’d stay a few years. They treated you like you were part of the company because you gave everything you had.”

Kevin Sligar, as the longest tenured original employee, observed, “Jack and Jerry instilled in us to make sure we did the right thing for our customers, even if it meant working long hours, and to ask for help when we need it. They taught us to try to have a little fun along the way.”

Mary Stluka recounted how her father had a heart attack in Iowa when she had been on the job for five months. Jack Henry offered to fly her to him. “What company does something like that for someone in the mailroom?” she asked.

Adelson summarized, “When you come to this company, you come to family.” He expressed a commitment to maintain that perspective and to “fight to keep that culture.”