AWARDS

O'FALLON Julian Seeherman, chairman and chief executive officer of Venture Stores Inc., a St. Louis-based regional discount retailer, has been selected by the discount retail industry for the 1991 Discounter of the Year award.

The award, presented annually by Discount Store News, honors the retail executive who leads his company to superior innovation, creativity and growth.

Since its spinoff from May Department Stores Co. in November 1990, Venture has grown to operate 92 stores in eight Midwestern states. The company has started an expansion program and recently announced plans to open 50 stores across Texas in the next five years.

Under Seeherman's leadership, Venture reported sales of more than $1.5 billion in fiscal 1991, a 7 percent gain in sales and a 20 percent increase in profits.

In awarding Seeherman with the 15th annual award, Discount Store News editor Tony Lisanti said, "Ever since the spinoff, Venture has emerged a stronger, more focused company. Seeherman has the reputation of a great merchandiser who truly understands the customer."

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Linda Ashley Howe, formerly of Cape Girardeau, has received national sales honors with West Shell Realty's Harrison, Ind., office.

Howe, a 1975 graduate of Cape Central High School, received the Dozen National Sales award, which places her among the top 5 percent residential real estate agents nationwide.

The Dozen is an association of leading real estate brokers with more than 20,000 sales associates in 24 major markets nationwide.

West Shell Realtors ranks second in the nation among the top 20 independent real estate brokers for agent productivity. The company, headquartered at Cincinnati, has 30 offices serving a three-state area in the greater Cincinnati area.