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The Perryville Chamber of Commerce held its annual membership meeting and banquet last week at the American Legion Post 133 in Perryville, and according to chamber director Jackie Wengert, it was “a great night.”
Board president Alex Leuders opened the evening by reviewing the group’s accomplishments in the past year, calling 2019 “amazing.”
“It began with a successful annual meeting here where we inducted our new board members,” Lueders said before going on to praise the work of the chamber’s new executive assistant, Renee Lottes. “In April, we were fortunate to add to our staff. Renee has been in charge of our social media and our website, and you have no idea how much that helps us.”
Continuing on with her review of 2019, Leuders lamented the rainy weather that put a damper on the Chamber’s annual Mayfest event.
“It was a bit of a challenge,” Leuders said. “Mother Nature had some other plans for it, but because of our amazing sponsors and volunteers, we were able to pull through. Our leadership class of 2019 had 15 graduates and we are extremely grateful for each one of them. Our Xquisite Women’s Leadership Conference hosted some amazing speakers and if you were to ask, I’d say it was the best one yet.”
Leuders also thanked the Chamber members and the board of directors for their efforts during the past year.
“This past year could not have gone as well without our members, our staff and our sponsors and I would like to thank all of you,” Leuders said. “These are the amazing people that put up with me and Jackie all the time.”
Looking ahead to 2020, Leuders highlighted several changes in regular Chamber events, including Power Hours and Coffee & Connections, both monthly networking events.
“This year, Power Hour will be held on the second Tuesday of the month beginning on March 10,” Leuders said. “It’s a great opportunity to promote yourself and your business in a smaller group atmosphere over lunch. Coffee & Connections will be held on the second Tuesday of every month beginning Feb. 11, so you’re in Perryville on the second Tuesday of the month, there will be something for you to do. If you can only be here one day of the month, that’s when you need to be here.”
Leauders also highlighted the Leadership Perryville program, which is scheduled to begin in March. The program is billed as an innovative community program designed to identify and motivate emerging leaders and to develop their potential for community leadership roles by exposing them to opportunities, realities and challenges of our community.
Participants take part in eight, one-day sessions held the third Tuesday of each month. During each session, community leaders and experts from area organizations and institutions participate in class sessions with the intent of stimulating and provoking new thoughts and ideas and highlighting real challenges, realities and opportunities in the Perryville area.
Participants are also treated to tours of local manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities, area schools, media outlets and many other businesses and organizations.
“This program is phenomenal,” Leuders said. “I can’t sing its praises enough. I learned so much about Perryville and I’ve lived here my whole entire life.”
In addition to discussing this year’s Mayfest theme, “Hometown Heroes,” Leuders also took time to recognize the Chamber’s Ambassador program.
“The ambassadors are highly visible and prestigious volunteers that serve as the Chamber’s primary liaisons to new and current members,” Leuders said. “Upon appointment, each ambassador makes a commitment to create lasting relationships with the Chamber membership in order to build loyal, committed members that will continue to support, participate in and invest in the Chamber. I encourage business owners, CEOs, presidents to choose one or more of your employees who would be a great fit to represent your business.”The first meeting for Chamber ambassadors is scheduled for Feb. 25.
Following Leuders’ address, Wengert, who acted as master of ceremonies for the event, introduced two new board members — Melissa Hoehn of First State Community Bank and Jacob Ritter with Ulrich Insurance Agency — in addition to recognizing returning board members.
Leuders, who was elected as board president last year and will continue in the same position in 2020, succeeded Deanna Kline, who continues as a board member, along with Caitlin Pistorio, Kelly Brown, Kaitlyn Wibbenmeyer, Dalton Buehler, Justin Pyland, Jamie Robinson and Danielle Hoeckele, who was unable to attend.
Retiring board members were Patrick Naeger and Kris Klaus.
Following their recognition, the new and returning board members and new officers were sworn in.
Following the ceremony, Wengert introduced four Chamber members who were celebrating 25 years of continuous Chamber membership. Those honored were Auto Tire & Parts, Independence Care Center, Lake Kah-Tan-Da Estates and Larry Schmidt Truck Parts & Sales.
“Your membership and dedication is greatly appreciated,” Wengert said.
Shelly Janet of Enterprise Bank and Trust was unable to attende the banquet, but was honored as the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year.
The last item on the agenda was the presentation of the Republic-Monitor’s Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year.
This year, the business award went to the Association of the Miraculous Medal. In his acceptance speech after accepting the award from Republic-Monitor publisher Beth Durreman, Don Fulford, the organization’s president and CEO, said it was his staff which deserved the honor.
“We have the most incredible group of people working at AMM,” said president and CEO Don Fulford. “They get up early and stay late and they get calls from all over the world, from people who just want a bit of faith or just want someone on this earth to care.”
The Citizen of the Year award was presented to Perryville High School principal Jeff Steffens, who has spent the past 29 years at Perry County School District No. 32 as an educator, coach and administrator.
Steffens thanked his wife and family for their support and understanding during his hours away from home.
“Most importantly, this honor, I believe, goes to our high school staff for believing in me and believing in what our district mission is about,” Steffens said. “That is our students. And finally, thank you to this great community and the citizens for taking an active role in their child’s education and entrusting us with your prized possessions.”
Steffens said his educational philosophy was shaped by conversations with his late father-in-law, Bob Miget, a former advertising sales manager at the Republic-Monitor and longtime mayor of Perryville.
“He wanted to make Perryville a place where people wanted to live, where kids wanted to grow up, in a place where they want to come back to and raise a family,” Steffens said. “I’m proud to be in a position to continue to reach his goals.”
