WILLIAMS TO HEAD AREA GROUP ON GROWTH

Gregory Williams of Cape Girardeau has been named executive director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association.

He replaces Walter Wildman, who resigned Sept. 8. Wildman will continue as a part-time consultant for RCGA to the I-66 project.

Williams, a Cape Girardeau native, has worked 17 years as a stockbroker and investment office for Merrill Lynch and Boatmen's Trust Co., both in St. Louis.

He has been self-employed the past four years running a small investment management firm that dealt primarily with real estate in St. Louis.

For the past 18 months, Williams chaired RCGA's Economic Development Committee, a committee that developed a proposal for a regional office dedicated to economic development in Southeast Missouri.

This proposal has been sent to the Missouri Department of Economic Development for later implementation.

Williams said he became interested in moving back to Cape Girardeau about two years ago, something he accomplished last summer.

He had traveled extensively back and forth to St. Louis over the past two years.

"My main focus as executive director will be to unite the region and to become a stronger voice for Southeast Missouri," he said. Greater attention will be given to a regional highway and regional tourism plans, he said.

The RCGA's regional highway plan has already been added to the state's 15-year plan, Williams said. Priorities include making four-lane highways of U.S. Highway 60 from Sikeston to Willow Springs and U.S. Highway 67 from Fredericktown to the Arkansas border, and the straightening of Highways 34 and 72.

Williams is happy with the situation, moving back home and being able to make a positive contribution to the area.

RCGA Board President Duane Beussink said Williams was the board's first choice.

"Greg is a good guy -- very professional in nature," Beussink said. "I think he will be an excellent addition to Cape Girardeau and a help to the region."

Immediate past president Ron McCulley, who served two years as chairman of the RCGA board until last July, said he didn't expect any major changes under Williams.

"The RCGA will focus more on the region," McCulley said. With the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce joining the RCGA last week, McCulley said this was a move in the right direction.

Williams said he would welcome suggestions from RCGA members, who will have an opportunity to meet him in his new role at the fifth annual RCGA picnic next Tuesday at Cape County Park South. Activities at the picnic will include a kickoff for the annual membership drive.

Williams' first day on the job was Tuesday. He said the RCGA serves about 18 counties in Southeast Missouri -- as far north as Perryville, northwest to Farmington, southwest to Van Buren and south to the state line.

Williams, 44, is a 1968 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in business management and economics from Southeast Missouri State University in 1972.