Jackson Chamber of Commerce picks Hitt for top honor

The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce honored David Hitt for his dedication to the community at the organization's annual dinner Friday.

This was the largest annual dinner to date for the Jackson Chamber with about 375 people in attendance, said executive director Brian Gerau.

Hitt was presented with the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award by Gerald Jones, the 2010 recipient of the award. Past Fulenwider award recepients vote each year to select a new honoree.

Individuals and businesses recognized Friday at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce annual dinner are, from left, Jodi Brunke of IESI, Chamber Ambassador of the Year; Dennis Vinson of Signature Packaging and Paper, Industry of the Year; David Hitt, recepient of the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award; Susan Cole of Realty Executives of Cape County, Small Business of the Year; Andrea Marchi of HealthPoint Fitness, Business of the Year; Terri Tomlin and Rita Fisher of the Jackson School District, which received the Community Service Award. (Melissa Miller)

Hitt, a member of the Jackson Board of Aldermen, recently completed a term as president of the Cape Girardeau Area Magnet board of directors.

The Fulenwider award recognizes a person who has dedicated his or her life to bettering the community, Gerau said.

"Dave was really a perfect fit," Gerau said. "His experience working in both the public and private sectors embodies this. In all the different facets of community he's involved in, he's respected."

Much of Hitt's recent volunteer work has been with veterans' organizations, including Jackson VFW Post 10495, the Honor Tour and Jackson American Legion Post 158. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a Purple Heart recipient.

Over the years he's worked with a number of local organizations, including the Jackson Park Board, Easter Seals, Elks and Rotary Club. Hitt has served as a past president and secretary/treasurer of the Jackson chamber.

He was the 2010 recipient of the Southeast Missourian's Sprit of America Award.

In addition to the Fulenwider award, several other awards were presented:

• Industry of the Year: Signature Packaging and Paper, owned by Dennis Vinson.
• Business of the Year: HealthPoint Fitness and Rehab, operated by SoutheastHEALTH.
• Small Business of the Year: Realty Executives of Cape County, owned by Bill and Susan Cole.
• Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Jodi Brunke, account executive at IESI.
• Community Service Award: Jackson School District.

Vinson relocated Signature Packaging to Jackson from Atlanta in 2006. Since then, the company, in an 80,000-square-foot facility at 1302 Lenco Ave., has continued to expand. One of its largest customers is Procter & Gamble. In addition to being on the board of both the Jackson and Cape Girardeau Area Chamber, Vinson sits on the Boys and Girls Club board of directors.

Southeast Hospital assumed the ownership and operation of Main Street Fitness in 1995, and since then has emphasized fitness programs to foster healthy families. Physical therapy and rehabilitation services were added in 2002. HealthPoint and its staff have been actively involved in the Jackson chamber by hosting business breakfasts, membership drives, and sponsoring the chamber's annual Volunteer luncheon, Gerau said.

Realty Executives of Cape County has offices in both Jackson and Cape Girardeau with nearly 70 agents. Bill and Susan Cole started the company in 2003 and are committed to giving 5 percent of the company's earnings to community causes each year. In addition to being active in the Jackson and Cape Girardeau chambers, the company contributes to community programs benefiting local schools and food pantries.

A special award was presented to Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce executive assistant Cheryl Merkler for 10 years of service with the organization.

Retiring chamber board members Dr. Ron Anderson of the Jackson School District, Marsha Haskell of AT&T and Hitt were also recognized.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

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3305 N. High St., Jackson, Mo.