Danny Essner receives Limbaugh award at Cape Chamber event

More than 660 people came out to celebrate the success of local businesses Friday at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.

Banker Danny Essner, physical therapy center Premier Rehab and United Way communications director Heather Short were recognized with awards during the event at the Show Me Center.

Essner, executive vice president and senior lender at Capaha Bank, received this year's Rush H. Limbaugh Award.

"One of the reasons I do what I do and spend the time that I do is that I am very passionate about Cape," Essner said after accepting the award. "I encourage everybody who is not involved to get involved because it is very rewarding."

Jim Limbaugh, who presented the award named after his grandfather, described Essner as someone who strives to leave the community better off than he found it.

"His work ethic and relationship building have created a successful career in financial services, making him a dependable, go-to person for local businesses seeking capital," Limbaugh said.

Essner chaired the Yes for Gaming campaign committee, which worked to convince Cape Girardeau voters to approve the $125 million Isle of Capri casino project in the Nov. 2, 2010, election.

He served for nine years as a member and chairman of the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. In 2008, he was treasurer and chairman of the campaign committee that facilitated passage of Cape Girardeau's parks and stormwater initiative, passing a half-cent sales tax to fund $20 million in improvement projects.

Essner is active with the River City Rodders car club and chairman of the annual River Tales Classic Car Show.

As a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, he served on several church committees and was co-chairman of the Notre Dame Regional High School Capital Campaign.

Essner is a former board member and board president of the Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation.

He is a former board member and board president of the Community Counseling Center Foundation.

Over the years he's worked with the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Easter Seals, Kelso Jaycees, Cape Riverfest and Kelso Sommerfest.

He has been a member of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce since 1979 and is a member of the chamber's board of directors.

The Rush H. Limbaugh Award, created in 1989, is given annually to an individual who is successful in his or her profession and gives back exponentially to their community.

Premier Rehab was named Small Business of the Year, in recognition of the company's significant growth since opening in Cape Girardeau in 2006. Owned by husband and wife team Dennis and Summer Riney, Premier Rehab has grown from three employees to a staff of 13 full-time and 15 part-time employees.

"What an awesome honor to share with my wife," Dennis Riney said after accepting the award. "We started not knowing anyone here and slowly over time we built our business up."

Riney said he's proud to be part of the Cape Girardeau and Jackson communities.

"We just want to be a positive influence to all those we meet, all those we serve and for those that work with us," Dennis Riney said. "I cannot wait to go to work Monday morning and share this with our staff."

After starting in a 1,500-square-foot location in Cape Girardeau, Premier Rehab now has a 4,000-square-foot facility in Cape Girardeau and a second location in Jackson. The Rineys volunteer with several local organizations including both the Cape Girardeau and Jackson Area Chambers of Commerce, Zonta Club, the U.S. Wounded Soldier Foundation, Salvation Army, the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Club, Make a Wish Foundation, local schools, athletic teams and 5K

races.

The Small Business of the Year Award is given annually to a business with at least 51 percent local ownership, that has been in business for more than five years and employs no more than 50 people. The recipient is evaluated on business history and growth; financial soundness and profitability; customer satisfaction and reputation; employee relations; civic and business leadership; and an innovative product or service.

Heather Short, communications director for the United Way of Southeast Missouri received the Go-Getter Award, which is presented annually to a Chamber Ambassador. Short worked to bring new members to the organization, retain current members and represented the chamber at various functions throughout the

year.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

1333 North Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO