February Business After Hours - Riverbend Growth Association

A monthly publication of the RiverBend Growth Association...
Your Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Agency
FEBRUARY 2015
Volume 13 | Issue 2
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome our Newest
Members
•
•
•
•
•
•
page 3
Alzheimer’s Association
Community Living Options
Dunham Windows
La Mia Cucina
Rotary Ram Inc.
Shields Family Pharmacy
Meet Your Ambassadors
page 4
• Stephanie Tate
• Denise Wolff
• Maura Wuellner
Small Business of the Month
page 5
• Alvareita’s College of
Cosmetology
Mayor Report - Bethalto
page 5
February Business After Hours
Thank-you to our February
BAH hosts for hosting an
evening of networking: Alton
Securities Group, Alton Capital
Management Group and Van
Hoy-Long Companies. All these
RBGA members are located
inside the Alton Securities
Group building, located at 2410
State Street, Alton, IL.
More than 100 members
and guests enjoyed an evening
of networking, delicious food
and beverages compliments of
Spencer T Olin Golf Course and
informational sessions from the
hosts.
Mark your calendars for the
next Business After Hours on
Thursday, March 19, 2015 at
the Atrium Hotel & Conference
Center, formerly Alton Holiday
Inn, with hosts Atrium Hotel
& Conference Center, Baxter’s
Distributing and LogoIt.
Thank-you to the February 2015 hosts: Matt Maberry of Alton
Securities Group, Greg Bray of Alton Capital Management
Group, Tom Long and Vern Van Hoy of Van Hoy-Long Companies
(pictured left to right: Maberry, Long, Pat Vambaketes, Bray)
pictured right - 50/50 winner
Kristen Valenus of NSC Hauling
pictured bottom left - Godfrey
Mayor Mike McCormick and Matt
Maberry of Alton Securities Group
pictured bottom center - Greg
Bray of Alton Capital Management
and Martha Morse of 1st
MidAmerica Credit Union
pictured bottom right - Karen
Wilson of State Farm Insurance
and Matt Maberry of Alton
Securities Group
5800 Godfrey Road - Alden Hall | Godfrey, Illinois 62035
Phone 618-467-2280 | Fax 618-466-8289 | [email protected] | www.growthassociation.com
Business Edge
page 2 | February 2015
RBGA Young Adults Committee Volunteers with Riverbend Family Ministries
The Young Adults Committee
(YAC) of the RBGA is a
committee of high school
students from the RBGA
membership that partners with
RBGA nonprofit organizations to
increase the awareness of giving
back to one’s community.
The students on the
committee are Senior Matt
Hopkins and Junior Jake Bohn of
Alton High School, Senior Alyssa
Ehlers and Junior Jack Walker
of Civic Memorial High School,
Senior Jenna Walker and Junior
Cameron Foust of East Alton
Wood River High School, Senior
Drew McRoy and Junior Tommy
Morrissey of Marquette Catholic
High School and Senior Alyssa
Stacy and Junior Kara Meyer of
Roxana High School.
These students are partnering
in with the following RBGA
nonprofit members: Bethalto
Boys & Girls Club, Riverbend
Family Services, Senior Services
Plus, The Nature Institute,
and WellSpring Resources.
Each month from December
2014-April 2015, the students
spend 2 hours with these
organizations volunteering
wherever they need them.
The mentors for the students
on the YAC are Alex Cope of
WellSpring Resources, Trish
Holmes of CNB Bank & Trust,
Stacey Loveland of Senior
Services Plus, Amber Scott of 1st
MidAmerica Credit Union and
Cindy Smalley of Cope Plastics.
In December 2014, the
students were at Riverbend
Family Ministries, located at
131 E. Ferguson in Wood River.
Riverbend Family Ministries
is a consortium of nonprofit
organizations all working
under one roof to work with
youth and families in crisis, to
get them self-sufficient. The
students spent their volunteer
time creating family baskets,
consisting of nonperishable
items, toiletries and toys for
kids.
For more information on
this volunteer project, visit our
website at growthassociation.
com.
pictured top - The students of
the YAC made care packages for
families in need at Riverbend
Family Ministries.
pictured center - Riverbend
Family Ministries Executive
Director Tammy Iskarous with
the YAC students
pictured bottom - Students
Cameron Foust of East AltonWood River High School, Jack
Walker of Civic Memorial High
School, Kara Meyer of Roxana
High School, Matt Hopkins of
Alton High School and Drew
McRoy of Marquette Catholic
High School
The RBGA has recently added a section to our website with
Employment Opportunities. It’s located at
http://www.growthassociation.com/page/employmentopportunities/.
It can also be accessed from the header of any page
throughout the site.
Members can post their job openings on this page. Please
contact Debbie at the RBGA at [email protected]
for the entry link.
Save the date for the
annual Duck Race
Save the date for the
annual Golf Classic
Thursday, May 28th at
Raging Rivers Water Park
Friday, June 19th at
Rolling Hills Golf Course
Business Edge
page 3 | February 2015
Welcome our newest members to the RiverBend Growth Association
Alzheimer’s Association
Susan Wobbe, Illinois Walk
Manager
9370 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63132
(314) 801-0429
alz.org/stl
The Alzheimer’s Association,
St. Louis Chapter, is dedicated
to enhancing the quality of
life for all persons affected by
Alzheimer’s disease and related
disorders through comprehensive
educational programs,
compassionate services, access
to resources and support for
research. A strong unit of
professional staff and volunteers
provide a lifeline for those in
need: to stand by families and
offer help, hope, information and
support. Founded in 1981, the
St. Louis Chapter headquarters
are located in St. Louis with
outreach staff and services in 38
counties eastern Missouri and
western Illinois. To support the
programs and services provided,
the Alzheimer’s Association
St. Louis Chapter hosts the
Alzheimer’s Association Walk
to End Alzheimer’s. The Walk to
End Alzheimer’s is more than a
walk. It is an experience for over
8,000 participants in St. Louis
area to learn about Alzheimer’s
disease and how to get involved
with this critical cause, from
advocacy opportunities, the
latest in Alzheimer’s research and
clinical trial enrollment to support
programs and services. For more
information about Alzheimer’s
disease, programs and services
call the 24/7 Helpline at
800.272.3900 or visit wwwl.alz.
org/stl.
Community Living Options
Karen Jockisch
Administrator
446 Mense Suite B
Bethalto IL 62010
(618) 971-8268
ddhomes.net
Community
Living Options is
a not-for-profit
organization that is
part of DD Homes
network. We are
a quality focused
network dedicated to providing
exceptional residential services
to adults with developmental
disabilities and other cognitive
impairments, within a highly
respectful, activity-rich, well
managed and caring environment.
We are part of the organization
that pioneered small-home
residential living for adults
with developmental disabilities
in Illinois. We are actively
involved in all state legislative
actions affecting persons with
developmental disabilities and are
continually seeking to open new
homes to help meet the increased
need statewide.
Dunham Windows &
Exteriors
Jason Dunham Owner
5309 Godfrey Road
Godfrey IL 62035
(618) 779-7169
(618) 467-2026
dunhamwindows.com
Dunham Windows & Exteriors
is a family owned and operated
business serving the Riverbend
community. As a licensed
contractor, Jason Dunham and
his experienced staff provide
homeowners with a single source
for all of their home improvement
and remodeling needs. Exterior
home remodeling provides
improved energy efficiency
resulting in lower heating and
cooling costs, a plus in the current
climate of rising fuel and energy
prices. Adding that long overdue
addition provides much needed
space and can add to the overall
value of the home. Dunham offers
its customers a variety of services
including window replacement
and installation, siding, insulation,
room additions and deck
construction. Let Dunham Windows show
you the possibilities with their
free estimate service. All work is
guaranteed and all the products
Dunham carries have lifetime or
extended warranties. La Mia Cucina
Alfio and Tiffany Sciacca
2510B State Street
Alton IL 62002
(618) 466-6449
skilled individuals that carry the
tradition of precise and quality
machining which is synonymous
in the Ken Elliott product line they
build. The late Kenneth Elliott was
with the company until the mid1990’s. Kent Elliott is the current
CEO with third generation; Gary
Elliott being the VP of operations.
Rotary Ram continues to improve
and evolve to compete in the ever
changing world markets.
Shields Family Pharmacy
Chris and Kendra Shields
2526 State Street
Alton IL 62002
(618) 467-7003
facebook.com/LaMiaCucina64
La Mia Cucina (My kitchen)
comes from the idea of bringing
families, friends together around
the dinner table again. Fresh,
authentic, Italian food made daily
and served at an affordable price.
We offer a variety of dishes, from
our kitchen to your table.
Rotary Ram Inc.
Gary Elliott VP Operations
3704 Riehl Lane
Godfrey IL 62035
(618) 466-2651
Rotary Ram Inc. is a
manufacturing company that
specializes in the machining of
industrial valve actuators for
Ken Elliott Company. Rotary
Ram was established in 1967 by
Kenneth Elliott and Kent Elliott to
build their engineered products
primarily for pipelines and the
energy industry. The finished
products ship worldwide and
are recognized for their high
quality and innovative design.
They currently employ nineteen
Shields Family Pharmacy is a
new independent, family owned
pharmacy located in north
Alton. The north Alton area has
a great history of independent
pharmacies in the neighborhood.
With the closing of Leclaires, the
Shieldses hope to keep the family
owned pharmacy tradition alive.
We believe in family first, and that
is how you will be treated in our
store. Kendra is our pharmacist
and has a vast knowledge of
pharmaceuticals but can also
answer most questions you
may have about your insurance.
We offer free local delivery,
basic compounding, and blister
packaging as needed. Our prices
are equivalent or maybe even
cheaper than the chain stores,
so come by and meet us. We are
located next to Joe K’s restaurant
and will even bring your medicine
out to your car if that is more
convenient. Come in today and
transfer your prescriptions or just
call and we’ll do the rest.
RiverBend Growth Association
2015
Board of Directors
Karen Cooper, Chairman
John Keller, Past Chairman
Karen Wilson, Chairman Elect
Mike Fitzgerald, Treasurer
Jeff Allsman
Tom Berry
Dale Blachford
Jake Bodi
David Braasch
Stephanie Dykstra
Melissa Erker
Mike Farrell
Kevin Hamilton
Pam Heepke
Jennifer Jacobsen
Charles Linnemeyer
Alan Meyer
Dave Miller
Scott Reichmann
Cindy Roth
Ed Ryrie
Kent Scheffel
Diane Schuette
Rob Schwartz
Cindy Smalley
Sam Stemm
Dave Stevenson
Dan St. Peters
Steve Thompson
Denise Wolff
Jess Woodman
Augie Wuellner
Charlie Yancey
Ex-Officio Directors
Supervisor William Ambrose
Supervisor Mike Babcock
Mayor Kenny Beasley
Mayor Fred Bright
Mayor Cy Bunting
Dr. Dale Chapman
Jesse Hopkins
Supervisor Don Huber
Jack Jacoby
William Kessler
Debra Kreutztrager
Mayor Mike McCormick
Supervisor Doug Mueller
Mayor Paul Oller
John Pearson
Mayor James Spann
Ken Spells
Brett Stawar
Charles Stegall
Mayor Tom Thompson
Mayor Fred Ufert
Mayor Brant Walker
Mayor Alan Winslow
February 2015 | page 4
Ambassador Spotlight
Stephanie Tate
Alton Regional
Convention & Visitors
Bureau
Stephanie
Tate is the
Marketing/
Sales
Coordinator
for the Alton
Regional
Convention
and Visitors Bureau. Prior
to joining the CVB she was
a newspaper reporter and
editor working for The
Statesman-Journal in Salem,
OR, The Southern Illinoisan
in Carbondale, The Peoria
Journal Star in Peoria,
the Associated Press, and
several weekly newspapers
in central Illinois. She also
worked as Graphic Artist/
Editor for the Peoria Public
Schools, the third largest
school district in Illinois.
Stephanie was the
recipient of several Illinois
Press Association awards,
Illinois National School
Public Relations honors and
won a regional ADDI award
for her marketing work with
the Peoria school district.
She moved to the
area two years ago after
spending time in Orange
County, CA. in order to be
closer to her children and
three grandchildren. She
enjoys horseback riding,
reading and gardening.
Denise Wolff
Southern Illinois Real Estate Title Center
I have served on the Ambassador Committee
for about ten years now, and I continue to enjoy
the opportunities of getting acquainted with
many of our community and business leaders, as
well as visiting interesting locations within our
region. In addition to working with the Ambassador Committee, I
assist with a few of the Association’s events throughout the year,
and I serve on its Board of Directors, acting as Chair in 2010.
In addition to my work with the Growth Association, I have also
been involved with various organizations, charities and not for
profits, including the Riverbend Rotary, The United Way, Alton
YWCA, Beverly Farm Foundation, the American Cancer Society
and Oasis Women’s Center. The presence of these and other
organizations in our area go a long way to making the River Bend
the diverse and rich community we all know and love.
My move to The Title Center in the fall of 2012 as its Agency
Operations Manager concluded nearly thirteen years in the banking
industry where I served as Vice President, managing a branch
and focusing on lending. Prior to beginning my career in banking,
I worked as a general manager of a real estate office and as a
manager of a real estate title company, both in the Alton-Godfrey
area. Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to meet many
great people along the way and have made several wonderful
business relationships as a result.
My husband Rick and I have called River Bend area home for
the last 25 years, the last fifteen years being spent in Godfrey.
When not at work you can find us working in our yard, spending
time with our family, friends and great neighbors. We also enjoy
traveling a bit too!
Maura Wuellner
United Way of Greater St. Louis
Director – Illinois Regions
Maura recently joined the RBGA Ambassadors.
She looks forward to working and networking
with the overall community through her
involvement with the Ambassadors.
Maura joined the staff as Director of the Southwestern Illinois
Division United Way in April, 2014. Previously, she spent ten years at
the University of Missouri-St. Louis in fundraising and development.
Monica Bristow mentioned the position opening at United Way and
brought it to her attention. It was a good fit for her fundraising
and volunteer background and she became a part of the regional
team with over-sight responsibilities for two offices. Maura works
primarily with the fundraising campaigns for both the Southwest
Illinois and Tri-Cities offices, and works with many local companies
by helping them run a successful campaign, speaking at events and
raising awareness for United Way’s mission and services. In addition
to supervising the overall activity for both divisions, she manages
five part-time campaign representatives in the fall.
Maura and her husband, Augie, live in Godfrey and have two grown
children.
Business Edge
page 5 | February 2015
Alvareita’s College of Cosmetology and Massage Therapy is the February
2015 Small Business of the Month
Congratulations to Judy Grigg
and her team at Alvareita’s on
their award of Small Business
of the Month for February
2015. Alvareita’s offers
education for certificates in
the careers of cosmetology and
massage therapy at locations
in Godfrey, Edwardsville and
Belleville.
The courses at Alvareita’s
College of Cosmetology (ACC)
are designed to get you out
of the classroom and into
the workforce as quickly
as possible. Working on
mannequins and real patrons,
ACC students gain plenty
of experience working in a
clinical capacity. This hands-on
curriculum ensures that you’ll
have all the skills you need to
succeed in the professional
world.
THEORY IN ALL PHASES
OF COSMETOLOGY
• 12 Month Training
--Full Time 12 months
--Evenings 18 month
--CEU Classes
• Grants & Loans for those
who qualify
• Licensed by the State
• Classes start every 8
weeks (Day or Evening)
• Continuing education
credit
• Males & Females accepted
• Certificate upon
completion in
Cosmetology
• Evenings at Edwardsville
location only
• Massage Therapy at
Godfrey location only
Several RBGA members celebrated with Judy Grigg and her staff
at Alvareita’s on their Small Business of the Month award: Sheila
Goins of Shell Community Federal Credit Union, Pat Schwarte of
Riverbender.com, Karen McAtee and Matt Kotzamanis of TheBANK
of Edwardsville, Linda Funk of Regions Bank, Tom Hoechst of CNB
Bank & Trust, Amy Schaake of the Edwardsville Intelligencer and
Nancy Bivens of WBGZ Radio/AltonDailyNews.com.
For more information, contact the Godfrey location at 618-466-8952, the
Edwardsville location at 618-656-2593 or the Belleville location at 618-257-9193.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Alan Winslow, Village of Bethalto
Storm
and Sanitary
Sewers
have taken
a priority
position on
our projects
list. This
past year
we have
completed major maintenance
on our sewer interceptor and
some storm water projects.
For 2015 we are planning an
aggressive work schedule of
maintenance and upgrades of
our storm sewer system and we
are currently in the process of
establishing a CMOM plan for
our sanitary sewer system to
bring us into compliance with
IEPA standards.
Construction on the
intersection of N. Prairie and
Central is expected to begin
around May 1 with a completion
date in mid-August. This update
will provide turn lanes in all
directions and eliminate the
fifth road in the intersection.
We have received confirmation
that grant funding has been
approved to finish the Central
St. improvements from
Longfellow to Moreland Rd. in
2017. This project will widen
and pave the roadway, install
curbing and gutters, and provide
a third lane to be used as
additional access into Parkside
Elementary. This will greatly
improve the traffic flow for this
section of Central. We are still
working on funding options for
the W. Corbin extension and
improvements to N. Prairie.
The long awaited Bethalto
Landings retail development
appears to be just around the
corner. The Village has recently
vacated the roadways on
the site and is in the process
of re-zoning the property in
preparation for the project to
move forward.
Our updated Comprehensive
Plan was finished and
implemented last fall, and the
Village Board is nearly complete
with a review and update of our
Code Book.
Construction at Phase II of
the Sports Complex is nearing
completion with a projected
opening date of April 15.
When complete, this facility
will provide athletes with an
additional four baseball fields,
football and soccer fields.
Future plans for this facility
are the addition of Sand Volley
Ball pits, a Frisbee golf course,
and a multi-use interpretive
trail. Directly tied to this
project and the completion of
improvements at the Field of
Dreams park is the addition
of several major baseball
tournaments this summer. We
currently have 13 weekends
booked with some tournaments
bringing in 40 to 60 teams. We
are expecting these events to
have a major impact on our
local businesses.
Demolition work at the
Municipal Pool began over
the winter. By Memorial Day
weekend, we expect to have
the pool house and pavilion
completely remodeled,
expansion of the parking
lot, and a handicapped
ramp installed in the pool.
Construction should also be
started about that time on the
new splash pad which is taking
the place of the kiddies’ pool.
Residential construction
seems to be on the rebound.
We have seen several building
permits issued within the past
several months and we are
fielding a number of information
requests from additional
contractors.
Finances are still tight in the
Village, but we are on track to
finish our fiscal year ending April
30 in the black. Overall we are
very optimistic that 2015 will be
a very good year in Bethalto.
RiverBend Growth Association
February 2015 | page 6
Networking Opportunities
Networking events are an effective way to develop
professional relationships with businesses and organizations
within the Riverbend community. The RBGA hosts a
networking event on the third Wednesday of every month.
Attendees enjoy and benefit from top of mind awareness
participation activities, presentations focused on leadership,
sales and motivation and opportunities to showcase
themselves and their respective businesses or organizations.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 18, 2015 for
the Total Networking Luncheon at Julia’s Banquet Center
with a presentation from Sam Guarino, co-owner of Bella
Milano restaurant with a topic of leadership. Sam’s work
history stems back to Disney, Nike and now, Bella Milano.
His leadership roles in these three industries will enhance a
presentation that will motivate you to be the best you can be.
pictured top left - Jeff Allsman of the Village of Bethalto was the
presenter of the topic of change: Be ready for change; Anticipate
change; if you haven’t made any changes, it may be time.
pictured top right - Tom Hoechst of CNB Bank & Trust and Pat
Devening of TheBANK of Edwardsville participate in an activity.
pictured bottom - Tom Lane of State Farm Insurance and Paul Militzer
of Community Hope Center participate in participation activity.
Thanks to our members who have renewed their membership for 2015
(paid January 24, 2015 – February 20, 2015)
A Closer Look Investigations,
LLC
Absolute Health Care Services
LLC
Addus Evergreen Club
Alton Area Animal Aid
Association
Alton Little Theater, Inc.
Alton Main Street, Inc.
Alton Rehabilitation and
Nursing Center
Alton Sports Tap
Altonized Community Federal
Credit Union
Ameren
American Water Resources
Answer Midwest, Inc.
Atlantis Pools
B & B Custom T’s & Gifts
B.E. Stylin’ Salon
BARBERMurphy Group
Beall Manufacturing Inc.
Bemis, Dr. Frank C., & Associates,
Chiropractor
Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Southwestern IL
Bossanova Restaurant & Lounge
Boys & Girls Club of Alton
C.J. Schlosser & Co., L.L.C.
CALC, Institute of Technology
Carrow & Chapel Dentistry
Partnership
Central Bank Mortgage
Cork Tree Creative
Corridor 67
Country Meadows
Countryside Builders, CS Corp
CR Systems, Inc.
Crisis Food Center
Dairy Queen - Godfrey
Dinnius Photography
Dunham Windows
Eagleview Inc. General
Contracting
Express Employment
Professionals
Fischer Lumber Company
Frew’s Bridal
Genesis Financial Group
Group Transportation Services
- GTS
Hartford, Village of
Heitz Optical Company
Helmkamp, Jack
Hendrickson Collision Repair,
Inc.
Hertenstein Properties
Illinois Business Journal
Imaging Center of Alton
Imo’s Pizza - Godfrey
Jeni J’s
Johnson’s Corner Inc.
Lewis & Clark Council, Boy
Scouts of America
LogoIt
Lyons Glass Company
Macias Insurance Agency, Inc.
Marcal Rope & Rigging Inc.
Mid America Audiology Group
Mike’s Inc.
Missouri Baptist University
Morning Star Home Health Care
Inc.
North Alton Godfrey Business
Council
Old Bakery Beer Company, The
Options Now Medical Pregnancy
Clinic
Partners in Energy, Inc. (PIE)
Pearle Vision Center
Personal Finance Company
Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery
Piasa Motor Fuels, Inc.
Pizza World Godfrey
Pope Rental Properties
Principia College
Raging Rivers Water Park
Real Deals on Home Décor
Regions Private Wealth
Management
Restoration House Auto Body
Riverbend Pediatric Dentistry
RiverBender.com
Riverbender.com Community
Center
Rose Optical
Rosewood Care Center
Rotary Ram Inc.
S & S Database Consultants
Schwartzkopf Printing
Simmons Hanly Conroy
SNIP Alliance
Spencer T Olin Golf Course
Splish Splash Auto Bath
St. Peters Hardware & Rental,
Inc.
Stock Auto Body CARSTAR
Traube Awning
Walter Hale Ltd. Realty
WAOX - WSMI Radio
WBGZ/AltonDailyNews.com
Widman Construction, Inc.
Wood River Levee & Drainage
District
Woodlands Golf Club & Banquet
Facility
YWCA