Missouri chamber to honor Cape's John Mehner

John Mehner has served as president and CEO of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce for more than 23 years.

Next week, his years of service will be recognized by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry when he is awarded the Leadership Missouri Lifetime Achievement Award.

“The award that is given out is given to graduates of the Leadership Missouri program who have, over their career, demonstrated what we believe is the epitome of a leader,” said Karen Buschmann, vice president of communications at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“And John Mehner has truly displayed those qualities.”

Since 1990, the Missouri chamber has organized its annual Leadership Missouri program.

Each year, 30 emerging leaders participate in the program, visiting communities throughout the state to deepen their knowledge of the state’s opportunities and challenges, and in the process, enhance their leadership skills.

Menher was a member of the inaugural class.

He was nominated by Tammy Long, the director of the Missouri Chamber Federation. She worked with Mehner for more than 20 years in her role as president of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce and in her current position.

“He was my No. 1 choice,” Long said. “Whether you’ve been with the chamber for a day or a decade, he is always open and easily approachable.”

Buschmann praised Mehner’s skills as an economic developer.

“One of the best in the state if not the nation,” Buschmann said, “with a great vision and a great passion for making Southeast Missouri and the entire state better.”

Buschmann also commented on his humility.

“One of his strengths is he always gives credit to others. And I think that’s what has made him so effective in the economic development world,” she said. “He is so effective and successful at building relationships and collaboration, and one of the reasons is he never takes any credit for himself.”

For his part, Mehner declined to say much about the accolades.

“It is an honor, and I appreciate it very much,” he said in an email.

Mehner will be given the award at the Missouri chamber’s annual meeting and awards banquet Dec. 8.

Since the inception of the Missouri Leadership program, nearly 900 people have completed the program, and all are eligible for the award, which is in its fifth year.

“It’s quite a testament to how highly we regard him and his accomplishments and how grateful we are that he’s part of the program and works so closely with the Missouri chamber,” Buschmann said.

bbrown@semissourian.com

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