Business Notebook and People on the Move 6/3/13

Business Notebook

Leadership Missouri 2013 coming to Cape Girardeau

Leadership Missouri 2013, in partnership with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will be in Cape Girardeau from June 12 through 14 as part of its "Safety and Defense" agenda. Founded in 1990, Leadership Missouri aims to identify current and emerging leaders throughout the state, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the state's opportunities and challenges. A challenge that has been identified is safety and defense in regions throughout the state. The agenda will include visits to the Cape Girardeau police and fire departments and the SEMO Area Drug Task Force, and also will include an active-shooter scenario at a local school. Holcim Inc. and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau are local sponsors of Leadership Missouri 2013. For more information, contact Ann Kleffner at 634-3511 or email akleffner@mochamber.com.

MRV Banks announces opening of full-service branch

MRV Banks last month opened a full-service branch in Cape Girardeau. The branch, at 1610 N. Kingshighway, Suite 102 in the Regents Park Building, is led by Vice President Brian Rivenburgh and Assistant Vice President Robbie Guardalong with Maureen Schmitz and Pamela Myers. MRV Banks has its headquarters in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., with banking veteran Doug Watson serving as president and CEO. The official grand-opening ceremony of the Cape Girardeau branch is scheduled for June 28 beginning with a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. Lunch and give-a-ways for the public will follow. For more information, contact MRV Banks at 334-7811.

Grand opening of the new Plaza Tire Service

Plaza Tire Service's new facility at 170 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau will celebrate its grand opening with a week's worth of events from today through Friday. On Thursday, the first 50 customers in line at the store at 5:15 p.m. will receive free oil changes for a year, valued at more than $100. The public is welcome to line up and wait before the appointed time. Plaza Tire Service is sponsoring this giveaway in celebration of the opening of its new flagship store and its 50th anniversary. It replaced Plaza Tire Service's original location on William Street, which was occupied since 1963 when the company first opened as a hand-operated carwash. The new store is on the opposite corner of the same block. In addition to the oil change giveaway, customers will be able to enter a drawing all week for one of five $100 gift cards to be redeemed at the South Kingshighway Plaza Tire Service. One winner will be drawn each day from today through Friday. Customers must visit in person to enter the drawing. A visit from Bigfoot, the original monster truck, will wrap up the store's grand-opening week. Customers can visit and take pictures of the truck from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Lindsey Wagoner at 334-5036.

People on the Move

Anderson named certified global business professional

Kevin Anderson, the business-development specialist at the University of Missouri Extension Small Business and Technology Development Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has passed the required exam to be named a certified global business professional by the North American Small Business International Trade Educators Association. Anderson also is certified as an export and trade counselor by the Small Business Administration. He is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., and William Woods University in Fulton, Mo.

Meltons attend optometric congress

Optometrists Drs. Derek and Kayla Melton attended the Kentucky Optometric Association's 111th annual Spring Educational Congress in Lexington, Ky. The conference, held from April 25 through 28, provided the Meltons with the latest updates in eye care and disease and also included an exhibit hall featuring the latest products and services in optometry. The Meltons reside in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Derek Melton is the owner of Melton Eye Care Associates in Cape Girardeau.

-- From staff reports