People on the move 6/10/02

Robinson named head of economic council

Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association, has been appointed the new president of the Missouri Economic Development Council.

Robinson took office during the council's annual spring conference at Lake of the Ozarks, which was held in conjunction with the governor's 44th annual Economic Development Conference.

Robinson has served as the executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association since 1993. For the past nine years, he has been an active member of the Missouri Economic Development Council, where he has held numerous positions.

Robinson will serve as MEDC president for a one-year term, which began June 1. MEDC is made up of economic development professionals, volunteers, utility representatives, state employees, training representatives and other professionals associated with economic development in the state. MEDC was originally formed in 1978 and currently has over 425 members.

MEDC is dedicated to enhancing economic growth through its own program initiatives as well as in collaboration with other economic development entities.

LeGrand named employee of the year

Shawna LeGrand, the clinical unit program supervisor at Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center, has been named employee of the year. LeGrand was recognized on May 18 during the annual Employee Relations Day held at the center.

LeGrand received the award based on her skills and professionalism in working with the children, families and staff. LeGrand began working at Cottonwood in 1991 as a member of the direct care staff.

Center administrator Martha Cassel said that LeGrand has a genuine devotion for working with kids and does a tremendous job.

Cottonwood, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, is a Department of Mental Health facility that provides residential treatment services to children and youth ages 6 to 17 who have emotional and behavioral problems.

Swan to serve at NFIB summit in Washington

Kathy Swan, owner of JCI/TEL Link in Cape Girardeau, is one of nine small business owners in Missouri who will serve as delegates to the 2002 National Federation of Independent Business summit in Washington, D.C., Wednesday through Saturday. Small employers from all over the country will participate in the biennial event.

The confirmed speakers include House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Small Business Administration administrator Hector Barreto, former first lady Barbara Bush, White House senior adviser Karl Rove, national talk-show host Jim Blasingame, Oliver North and Lee Greenwood.

Elite Travel's Kempf gets 500 Club award

Carolyn Kempf of Elite Travel Inc. in Cape Girardeau was recently presented with the Funjet Vacations 500 Club Bronze Award at the Grand Lido Braco in Jamaica. This honor is presented to the top-producing agency in the Midwest. Funjet Vacations specializes in packages to Mexico, the Caribbean and Las Vegas.

-- From staff reports