CHAMBER TAPS NEW OFFICERS FOR 1997

James W. Wente, administrator at Southeast Missouri Hospital, is new chamber board chairman, succeeding Dennis Marchi, manager of Schnucks Food and Drugs. Marchi will remain an ex-officio on the board for one year.

Other new officers of the chamber include Doug Groesbeck, Union Electric, chairman-elect; Howard Meagle, KFVS Television, vice chairman; and Jay Knudtson, Boatmen's Bank, treasurer.

Wente says the chamber is looking forward to the new year.

Wente said he was impressed with the membership and board. He said the board would seek input and participation from all members. "We want to know what members like or dislike," he said. "We're looking at some good things in the future."

New chamber board members are Don Beckham, Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance; Kathy Brown, Procter and Gamble Paper Products Co. plant manager; Bart Ozbun, Merrill Lynch investments; Ron Dirnberger, Thorngate Ltd; and James Biundo, Southeast Missouri State University.

Other members of the 1997 board are: Jane Daume, Kwik Kopy Printing; Alan Gregory, Gregory Construction Inc.,; Steve Green, Union Planters Bank; Don W. Hill Jr., Capetown RV Sales; Kim Kurka McDowell, Southeast Missourian; Jill Smirl, Southwestern Bell Mobile System; Kim Swartz, Community Counseling Center; and past-chairman, Marchi.

Service as ex-officio members are Melvin Kasten, city councilman; Michael Miller, city manager; Beverly Estes, Convention & Visitor Bureau; Dr. Dan Tallent, school superintendent; Harry Rediger, Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association; and Dr. Dale Nitzschke, Southeast University president.