Ex-salesman wins chamber's service award

Longtime KGMO and KFVS12 advertising salesman and World War II veteran Neal Edwards may have retired in the early 1980s but he hasn't taken a break from his involvement in the community.

His involvement has included a charter member of the Exchange Club, where he served as president and led a drive to place Freedom Shrines -- a collection of historical documents -- in area schools, past recipient of the Spirt of America award and founder of a golf tournament that benefits the Missouri Veterans Home Foundation.

He also is a charter member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, a 13-time winner of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Go Getter award and past chairman of the United Way of Southeast Missouri board of directors.

For his service to the community, Edwards was awarded the Rush H. Limbaugh Award at Friday's Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. The attendance of 675 was one of the largest in the dinner's history, said Chamber executive director John Mehner.

In presenting the award, Jim Limbaugh, grandson of Rush H. Limbaugh, who the award is named in honor of, praised Edwards' humble example.

"Tonight's honoree is one of those behind-the-scenes champions communities rely on," Limbaugh said. "He definitely has a genuine concern for those people he raises money for.

"You're most likely to find him attending fishing outings and baseball trips with his friends from the Veterans Home," he said. "After more than 40 years of an undying commitment to the community, it is time we recognize him for his work."

Before accepting the award, Edwards thanked those who played a part in his award.

"It's been a pleasure to do this and I can't tell you how much it's been a joy to do this the last 44 years," Edwards said.

Also honored at the event was Servpro, winner of the Small Business of the Year award.

The company began operating in Cape Girareau in 1993. Sixteen years later the cleaning and restoration business has grown into a $1 million business with 13 employees and serves the counties of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Mississippi and Scott. In the past three years alone business has tripled and a 5,000-square-foot addition was completed to accommodate the company's growth.

Co-owner Sandy Hastings said during the company's acceptance speech that she was humbled for Servpro's growth since it began in Cape Girardeau.

"Though I was born and raised here, I never thought I'd own a business, let alone be in front of all of you," Hastings said.

The chamber also presented Kelly Florian of Capital Insurance and Associates with the Go Getter Award. The honor is given to a Chamber Ambassador who has excelled in membership recruitment and retention efforts and volunteered extensively at countless chamber functions throughout the year.

Receiving a standing ovation was Doug Leslie, who will retire March 1 after five years as Cape Girardeau's city manager. Others honored during the dinner included the Century of Excellence award winner Auto Tire and Parts for its 100th year as a business in Cape Girardeau, Ozark Gas Equipment and Supply for its 50th year as a chamber member and the retiring and incoming board of directors, including 2009 chairman Danny Essner, who replaces last year's chairman Rex Rust, co-president of Rust Communications.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628