From the Business Desk ... Longtime SEMO VP of finance planning retirement

There’s a general perception that as the Southeast Missourian’s business editor, I know everything that’s happening on the local business scene. And while I suppose it’s true I know more than many people, it’s only because I’ve lived in the area for nearly 50 years, and you tend to develop “networks” after so much time.

Still, I often find out about what’s happening by happenstance.

For instance, one day last week I received a text from a friend in the St. Louis area who asked whether she could list me as a reference because she’s applying for the vice president of finance position “at Southeast.”

Which “Southeast,” I wondered. The hospital? The university? Another “Southeast”? Regardless, the fact there was apparently a high-level administrative opening at a local business is something this business journalist should know about.

After giving my friend permission to use me as a reference (and not divulging I had no idea what VP of finance position she was talking about), I did a little digging and discovered Southeast Missouri State University’s vice president of finance and administration, Kathy Mangels, plans to retire at the end of October.

Kathy has been in the position since the 1990s, and signed all of my paychecks during my years with the university’s alumni office.

I’m sure we’ll carry a more in-depth story about Kathy’s upcoming retirement and her reflections on the university’s growth under her financial management, but for now, I’ll simply say congratulations on your years of service to SEMO, its students, faculty, staff and alumni.

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The Hibachi Super Buffet building is seen here at 2146 William St. in Cape Girardeau.Jay Wolz - jwolz@semissourian.com

Hibachi Super Buffet along William Street in front of the Town Plaza Shopping Center has been closed now for several months. A sign on the door states it’s closed for “remodeling,” but my sources say the business closed after its lease expired.

I hear, though, there could be some activity at the building in the near future.

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Speaking of closed businesses, my sources tell me there should be something going on at the corner of William Street and Mount Auburn Road, the site of the former Ruby Tuesday and O’Charley’s restaurants, within a few weeks. Stay tuned.

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