People in the news

Powers completes certification program

Tedd Powers, owner of The Power Co., a Cape Girardeau-based management consulting and employee development firm, has completed the Healthcare Accounting and Financial Management Certificate program at Indiana University. The program focuses on the preparation and interpretation of financial statements and budgets, the financial implications of third-party payer systems and the challenges of controlling costs and establishing prices for health-care providers.

Geske elected to Farm Bureau post

Jami Geske of Matthews, Mo., was elected to a third two-year term on the Missouri Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Geske represents the south district at-large area of the state. As a member of the board, she also co-chairs the state promotion and education committee. She has served as New Madrid County Farm Bureau treasurer, promotion and education committee chairman, membership chairman and county president.

Century 21 Premier Realty announces winners

Faye Walborg, broker with Century 21 Premier Realty in Sikeston, announced the firm's 2004 award winners recently. Sandy Sitzes had $2 million in sales and was the top agent; Myrna Johnson was "rookie of the year" and had $1 million in sales. Also Marilyn Ferrell, Sue Guess, Gene Shaw and Dub Featherston had $1 million in sales.

Farmington chamber presents award

Kelly Legan, president of the Farmington, Mo., Chamber of Commerce recently presented the Tradition and Progress Award to Plank Road Inn. Fritz Pfaff, owner, purchased the restaurant 25 years ago. Plank Road Inn offered the first full-service catering business in St. Francois County.

Awards announced at Dexter banquet

First Midwest Bank in Dexter, Mo., was recently named the Business of the Year at the annual Dexter Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. BA Promotions Inc., owned by Brad and Ann Aycock, was named the Small Business of the Year. Holden Pallet Co., owned by Tim Holden, was selected at the Industry of the Year.

Local man honored as sales manager

Trey Curtis of Cape Girardeau was honored as Eastern District Sales Manager of the Year at the 2005 National Golden Harvest Sales Conference in Pekin, Ill. He also received five additional awards, all recognizing him for an impressive sales year. In 2004, Curtis had a 150 percent increase in corn sales and a 41 percent increase in soybean sales. Curtis has been with Golden Harvest since 2001 as district sales manager in Southeast Missouri. He was recently promoted to regional sales manager for Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Marketing professor earns honor

Dr. Bert Kellerman, a marketing professor at Southeast Missouri State University, received the 2005 Prentice Hall Outstanding Educator Award at a conference in Dallas earlier this month. The Association of Collegiate Marketing Educators presented the award. Officers in the organizations nominate candidates for the award. Kellerman also is associate dean of the Harrison College of Business at Southeast.

Vet honored at convention

Dr. Kenneth White, a veterinarian and owner of Perry County Veterinary Hospital, was named "Veterinarian of the Year" during the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association's 113th annual convention held recently. White has practiced at the Perry County Veterinary Hospital since 1970.

Businesses honored by Army Corps of Engineers

Several regional businesses were honored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake for their contributions to a public safety campaign. The businesses include Wal-Mart stores in Southeast Missouri, Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, First Midwest Bank, Ozark Border Electric and Rocky Top Guns. Each business contributed toward the Ranger Willie B. Safe Public Safety Education campaign in 2004.

Sikeston man joins national group

Sikeston business leader Tim Merideth was recently inducted into roles of the National Automatic Merchandising Association Certified Executives in Chicago. Merideth is vice president of Burch Food Services, Inc., a member of the Canteen Vending Franchise Group. The regional food service provider has its home office in Sikeston.

Hotel manager attends conference

Ann Miller, manager of the Super 8 Motel in Poplar Bluff, recently attended the Super 8 Motels International Convention in Orlando.

Business of the Year named

Banner Medical Equipment was recently named Business of the Year at the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce annual Awards Banquet. Over the past 17 years, Banner Medical Equipment has expanded to four locations and a fifth location is expected to open this summer. The business has 25 employees and 12 delivery vans. Reagan Baird, New Madrid Chamber of Commerce president, presented the award to Steve and Debbie Lancaster, Banner Medical Equipment owners.

New employees

Bruce Watson has been named president and chief operating officer at Cap America in Fredericktown.

Bob Rauh has been named vice president of overseas sales and sourcing at Cap America in Fredericktown.

Wayne Burch has joined the sales staff of Morlan Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep Dealership in Sikeston.

Terumi Okada has been promoted to president of Biokyowa in Cape Girardeau.

Herm Presely has been named general manager of Pasta House and Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.

Patti Martin has been named vice president of finance at Cap America in Fredericktown.

Gail Fox has been hired as catering sales manager at the new Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.

Wade Bartels has been appointed commercial lending officer at Commerce Bank in Cape Girardeau.

Joyce Hunter has been hired as co-director of marketing for the Buchheit chain of home and farm products stores.

Cathy Trentham has been named manager at the Century 21 Heartland office in Jackson. Jane Lysell, who has been managing the Century 21 office, has been promoted to director of marketing and training.

Tyson Baer has joined the staff of Helitech Waterproofing and Structural Repair as a project estimator covering Southeast Missouri.

Diane Wilson has joined the Southeast Missourian newspaper as director of photography.

Brian Boyd has been named a loan officer at First State Community Bank in Farmington.

-- From staff reports