Business notebook: Reiminger surprised with Jackson's Fulenwider Award

Local business leaders and the Jackson community came together Jan. 15 for the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Industrial Development Company's annual banquet. A total of 525 people attended.

David Reiminger was awarded the R.A. Fulenwider Award, a lifetime achievement award given to a person who has "dedicated their life to the advancement of Jackson and the area," according to a Jackson Chamber of Commerce promotional video.

"David is more than deserving of the award," Brian Gerau, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, said. "David represents the true spirit of the Fulenwider Award. He gives so much to the chamber, the city, and the school, and he asks very little in return."

Reiminger attended the banquet with no indication he would receive the award. When he was invited, it was insinuated the award would go to someone else.

"It was so humbling," an emotional Reiminger said.

Shelly Kaiser

Reiminger retired from Overhead Door Company of Southeast Missouri in 2014.

"I ran it from 1983 to 2014. My father ran it before that, and now my sons have taken over," he said.

"I have always tried to make Jackson special," Reiminger said. "You can only get out of something what you put into it."

Shelly Kaiser of First Midwest Bank received the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer Ambassador of the Year Award. The award is given to a chamber member who gives of his or her time to promote the chamber and its activities. "Shelly has been a flag-bearer for the Jackson chamber," Gerau said. "She supports us, promotes us and really lives by the mission of the chamber -- helping business and making good, strong contacts."

David Bloom of the Cash-Book Journal received the Community Service Award, which is not bestowed annually but only when it is especially deserved, Gerau said.

David Bloom

"David has been extremely involved in the community, and in promoting the community, almost like an ambassador. He has always been a friend to the city and the chamber, and we wanted to give him a nice send-off into his retirement," Gerau said.

"The banquet is by far our biggest event of the year," Gerau said. "The biggest goal is to bring our community together, to recognize our business leaders and people who are on the forefront of being a good volunteer. That is the night where we celebrate their accomplishments."

Local businesses also received recognition at the banquet.

• Industry of the Year: PMS (Perryville Machine Shop).
• Business of the Year: United Land Title.
• Small Business of the Year: Harold's Jewelry.

New officers and the board of directors of the chamber were sworn in. Officers are: Jeff Martin, president; Wade Bartels, vice president; and Kyle Thompson, secretary/treasurer.

Jansen receives professional designation

Gerald Jansen, insurance agent for the Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau in Jackson, earned the designation of Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF). Established in 1984, the LUTCF serves as a proven designation for insurance agents and advisers across the country and has helped thousands of insurance professionals provide superior levels of customer service.

Local agricultural firm to host open house

Malden Specialty Soy, LLC, will host an open house Wednesday. It will include tours of the new plant and offer question-and-answer opportunities with employees and owners.

Tours will be given to the public in 30-minute intervals on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tours will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Parts of the tour will be outdoors, so dress accordingly.

Three Rivers proceeds with sports complex

The board of trustees for Three Rivers College approved the college's proposal for the Libla Family Sports Complex, a 3,000-seat, 60,000-square-foot gymnasium on the Poplar Bluff campus.

The facility will replace the Bess Activity Center as the new home of the college's Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams.

The Libla Family Sports Complex also will be convertible into a three-court facility suitable for holding practices and regional high-school tournaments. It will incorporate training and locker-room facilities for the Raiders and Lady Raiders, office space and a Three Rivers Athletics Hall of Fame.

Business licenses

• Francesca's Collections, Inc., 3049 William St., with Kal Malik as managing officer, is a retail store specializing in apparel, jewelry and gifts. The estimated opening date is Feb. 1.
• Wellfit Parts Int'l Co., 2616 Gerhardt, owned by Jessie Lee, buys and sells auto parts. It opened Jan. 15.
• SEMO Home Realty, 980 N. Kingshighway, owned by Elaine Edgar, is a real-estate sales business that opened Jan. 1.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630