September - Riverbend Growth Association

A monthly publication of the RiverBend Growth Association...
Your Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Agency
SEPTEMBER 2015
Volume 13 | Issue 9
IN THIS ISSUE
Small Business of the
Month
page 2
• Route 3 Films
Mayor Report - Wood
River
page 3
Meet Your Ambassadors
page 4
Alton Motorboat Club and Chez Marilyn hosted
Business After Hours
Thank-you to the members of the Alton
Motorboat Club and Chez Marilyn for hosting
the Business After Hours networking event on
Thursday, September 17, 2015.
The members of the club and Chez Marilyn
hosted a themed event mimicking the 70’s/80’s
TV show, The Love Boat. Several Alton
Motorboat Club members came dressed as
Captain Stubing and cruise director Julie McCoy.
Delicious food and beverages were provided by
the club and Chez Marilyn. A live band provided
entertaining music. A night of networking and
comradery were enjoyed by all attendees.
The Alton Motorboat Club is a membership
based organization that offers boat slips for
boaters and much more. The club has its own
kitchen to provide delicious food and beverages,
a recreation area for kids that include a swing set,
basketball hoop and vast land to play, and offers
members a place to host family functions. They
have activities all year for adults and children,
such as poker runs for the adults, trick or treating
for the kids and more.
For more information on the Alton Motorboat
Club and for membership details, call 618-4662142.
• Marlene Lewis
• Stacey Noble Loveland
• Lee McRaven
Ribbon Cuttings
page 3, 5, 7
• King Air Conditioning
and Heating
• Morrison’s Irish Pub
• Options Now Medical
Pregnancy Clinic
• Alton Regional MultiModal Transportation Center
Hosts of the September BAH: Members of the Alton
Motorboat Club and Chez Marilyn
Jeff Lauritzen of Country Financial and Mike Ferrell of
Helmkamp Construction
RBGA Volunteers Cara Pascal of Options Now Medical
Pregnancy Clinic, Dick Propes, Karen Baker-Brncic of
Alton Marina and Jenna Andres of Scheffel Boyle
Jacinda Gust of Atrium Hotel & Conference Center,
Bemis Wilderman Chiropractic: Chrissy Linenfelser,
Terri Bryant, Ryan Bemis and Chris Wilderman; and
Lori Nikonovich and Erin Prott of Grafton Winery &
Brewhaus
Welcome our newest
members
page 6
• Berkshire Hathaway
Home Services Elite
Properties
• Bliss
• Eliot Gray Construction
• JCH Healthcare
• Prestige Carpet &
Upholstery Cleaning
• Wirtz Beverage
5800 Godfrey Road - BGM | Godfrey, Illinois 62035
Phone 618-467-2280 | info@growthassociation.com | www.growthassociation.com
Business Edge
page 2 | September 2015
Route 3 Films named September 2015 Small Business of the Month
Congratulations to
owner Ryan Hanlon
of Route 3 Films on
being selected as the
September 2015 Small
Business of the Month.
Route 3 Films is a
business that revolves
around video storytelling.
Route 3 Films is about
helping people, telling
great stories and bringing
high quality filmmaking
to the Riverbend
community. Ryan can
help people grow their
business by letting them
tell their own story and
produce a great film.
Some of Ryan’s
productions are with
King Air Conditioning &
Heating, Lewis & Clark
Community College,
Marquette Catholic High
School and Riverbend
Head Start & Family
Services.
Visit route3films.com to
see firsthand how Route
3 Films can impact your
business with your story.
Contact Ryan at ryan@
route3films.com.
Celebrating with Route 3 Films owner Ryan Hanlon are Jeremy Plank of
CJ Schlosser, Pat Schwarte of Riverbender.com, President of the RBGA
Monica Bristow, Kathy Weaver of Investment Planners and Martha Schultz
of First Clover Leaf Bank.
State of Riverbend Luncheon is October 29
Celebrate with the RBGA at the Annual State of the
Riverbend luncheon on Thursday, October 29, 2015 in
the Commons of Lewis & Clark Community College from
11am to 1pm.
Six RBGA members have been selected as the Captain
of the Riverbend award winners: Alton Regional
Convention & Visitors Bureau, Argosy Casino Alton,
Challenge Unlimited, Med Resources, Scheffel Boyle and
St. Louis Regional Airport.
This luncheon is a celebration of the successes in our
Riverbend communities for community involvement and
economic enhancement. Attendees will hear about
the enhancements from these six RBGA members, as
well as hear updates on successes from our Riverbend
communities.
A sponsorship opportunity is available at $600 and
individual tickets are $45 each. Contact Joell at 618-4672280 or jaguirre@growthassociation.com to reserve your
spot at the State of the Riverbend luncheon.
2015 Captain of the Riverbend Award Winners
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
Mayor Fred Akers
Supervisor William Ambrose
Supervisor Mike Babcock
Mayor Kenny Beasley
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 Joe Silkwood
Mayor James Spann
Ken Spells
Brett Stawar
Charles Stegall
Mayor Tom Thompson
Mayor Brant Walker
Mayor Alan Winslow
September 2015 | page 3
King Air Conditioning and Heating and Bush
Refrigeration celebrate new location
King Air Conditioning and
Heating and Bush Refrigeration
are now located under one
roof at 7020 Ingham Lane in
Godfrey. They celebrated with
a ribbon cutting ceremony to
showcase their new facility on
August 27, 2015.
King Air Conditioning
and Heating has served
homeowners and businesses
in the Metro East area for
more than 35 years. King Air
Conditioning and Heating offers
free estimates, emergency
service, custom sheet metal,
flat rate repair costs, factory
authorized Bryant dealer and
financing options.
Bush Refrigeration has
served the Riverbend
community for more than 20
years. Bush Refrigeration staff
are specialists of commercial
refrigeration and residential
heating and cooling. They
Several RBGA members joined the ribbon cutting celebration with the
King Air Conditioning & Heating and Bush Refrigeration team of Mike
and Karen Edwards, Kyle Edwards and JoEllen Bush: Amy Schaake
of The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Nancy Bivens of WBGZ Radio, Jerry
Gibson of Kiwanis, Cara Pascal of Options Now Medical Pregnancy
Clinic, Trish Holmes of CNB Bank & Trust, Therese Kuddes of Kuddes
Advertising Specialties, Pat Schwarte of Riverbender.com, Jeremy Plank
of C.J. Schlosser and Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick.
provide service, sale and
installation on all makes of
equipment.
For more information
on King Air Conditioning &
Heating, call 618-466-7574, or
Bush Refrigeration, call 618467-0177.
Mayor Report - Frank Akers, City of Wood River
A proud partner in
the Riverbend, we are
pleased by the number
of businesses that are
choosing to locate and
expand in Wood River.
City government stands
willing to assist any firm
that is seeking new or
additional locations. More
than 20 new businesses
have opened throughout
the City in the past year
and several others are
expanding.
The multi-million dollar
move by Jack Schmitt
Chevrolet is the largest
expansion. Among
others in growth mode
are Werts Welding, The
Pump House,
Dairy Queen and
Pro Automotive,
which will nearly
double in size.
New
construction
is also taking
place at Advanced Auto
Parts on Edwardsville
Road. Many firms have
renovated existing
buildings including
Vibratim Fatigue
Laboratory, Sports Clips,
Good Knight Cupcakes
and Cookies, Guardian
Graphics, Maid to Shine,
143 Corner Café, The
Clever Cobbler, Cricket
Wireless and Caldieraro
Family Dentistry,
among others.
We invite
any business
considering Wood
River to test the
marketing metrics
within a 10-mile
radius. You will find
that Wood River, with
its excellent intermodal
transportation network
and proximity to our
wonderful Riverbend
neighbors and the St.
Louis region will spur
your business to exciting
growth. For more
information, please call
City Hall at 251-3100.
Business Edge
page 4 | September 2015
Ambassador Spotlight
Marlene Lewis
Alton Memorial Hospital
My name is
Marlene Lewis and
I am the manager
of Foundation and
Development at
Alton Memorial
Hospital. My career
with BJC began in 1993 as
event coordinator at Christian
Hospital. In 1999, I accepted
a position at Alton Memorial
Hospital as Senior Coordinator
of Community Relations and
Development. As the hospital
began the Building the Best
Care Close to Home capital
campaign in 2005, I moved into
the full-time development role.
I completed my Bachelor
of Science degree in
Organizational Leadership at
Greenville College in 2008. In
September 2011, I achieved
another long-time goal by
becoming a Certified Fund
Raising Executive (CFRE).
I’ve been an ambassador with
the Growth Association for
about 10 years – it’s a wonderful
organization that offers many
opportunities to meet and
interact with members of the
business community.
My husband Dale and I
live in a 120-year-old house
in the historic Christian
Hill neighborhood. I enjoy
antiquing, collecting local ghost
stories and boating on the
Mississippi River.
Stacey Noble Loveland
Lee McRaven
Foxes Grove Supportive Living
Community
OSF Saint Anthony’s
Health Center
My name is Stacey
Noble Loveland
and I have been
an Ambassador
with the RiverBend
Growth Association
for six years. As
an Ambassador I have enjoyed
many opportunities to be involved
personally and professionally with
the Riverbend area.
The Riverbend area is a wonderful
place to work and live. I am an Alton
native and very proud to see the
continued growth and opportunities
here in our community. Along
with being an Ambassador for the
RBGA, I am involved with my Church
(Resurrection Lutheran), Board
President of Alton Main Street, Inc., a
member of the Parent Advisory Board
for the Riverbender.com Community
Center, a volunteer with the Alton
School District’s ROAR (reach out
and read) program, and I am also
privileged to be a part of the RBGA’s
Young Adults Leadership program
in which I am a mentor to some
outstanding young future leaders from
our area high schools. In addition to
all of that, I am the very proud mother
of my 17 year old son, Ty, who is a
senior at Alton High School. I have a
Master’s degree in Gerontology and
am the Executive Director of Foxes
Grove in Wood River.
Foxes Grove is a supportive living
facility for Seniors 65 and older. As an
Ambassador I have been able to use
the resources of the Riverbend Growth
Association to help promote Foxes
Grove and all of the wonderful services
we offer for Seniors. I love working
with Seniors and helping them make
Foxes Grove their home!
The Riverbend area is alive with
growth and changes and it is my
pleasure to be a part of it.
Lee McRaven is
a proud Mission
Partner with the
Saint Anthony’s
Foundation.
In her role as
development
specialist, she is able to do the
things she loves – coordinate
events, fundraise and help
the community. She originally
started foundation work for
Pride, Incorporated, where
she served, among other
positions, as executive director.
It was through Pride, that she
discovered her passion for
working with others for the
betterment of the River Bend.
When the opportunity at the
Saint Anthony’s Foundation
became available, it was a
natural fit. In her first year,
the Foundation has already
raised over $100,000 for Saint
Anthony’s Cancer Center of
Excellence. And she is looking
forward to the added resources
that the merger between Saint
Anthony’s and OSF HealthCare
will bring to the community. Lee
grew up and currently lives in
Godfrey with her two children.
She is a graduate of Alton
High School and Lewis & Clark
Community College.
RiverBend
G R O W T H A S S O C I AT I O N
Serving Business, Encouraging Growth in Southwestern Illinois
www.GrowthAssociation.com
RiverBend Growth Association
Morrison’s Irish Pub celebrates grand opening
Congratulations to owners Lisa
Morrison and May VanKirk on
their new business, Morrison’s
Irish Pub, located at 200 State
Street in downtown Alton.
Morrison’s Irish Pub is just
that, an Irish pub with all the
Irish offerings: craft beers, Irish
whiskeys, Irish food and Irish
décor. Morrison’s Irish Pub offers
live music on occasion to their
guests.
The team at Morrison’s Irish Pub
has formulated a menu with food
that is a hit: lamb burgers, cottage
pie, whiskey glazed salmon,
corned beef briskets, Irish-style
sausages, an Irish wrap and much
more. One of the things served
with their hamburgers and lamb
burgers is Guinness potato chips,
which are imported from the UK
and taste like Guinness.
The pub features fresh beers
and one beer made locally for
Morrison’s, an Irish Red. There
are also Irish whiskeys available
and a variety of fresh beers on
tap, several locally brewed. The
owners said they wanted to
support others in the area who
are brewing beer, plus offer
some others people would want.
There are six local brews on tap
and six imported.
The tables inside the new
restaurant/pub are handcrafted and help carry the Irish
ambiance.
Stop into Morrison’s Irish Pub
at 200 State Street in downtown
Alton or call 618-433-8900 for
more information.
September 2015 | page 5
Congratulations to owners Lisa Morrison and Mary VanKirk,
along with Katey and George Thayer, on the opening of
Morrison’s Irish Pub. Several RBGA members celebrated with
their staff on September 9 at the ribbon cutting celebration: Kathy Weaver of Investment Planners, Stephanie Tate of
the Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, Matt
Asselmeier of the City of Alton, Kurt Ferguson of The
Telegraph, RBGA President Monica Bristow, Mitch Cannel
of LogoIt, Tom Hoechst of CNB Bank & Trust, Pat Schwarte
of Riverbender.com, Dick Propes, Michelle Blackwood of
Challenge Unlimited, Robert Diaz of Edward Jones and Alton
Mayor Brant Walker.
Options Now Medical Pregnancy Clinic showcases new name and new
ultrasound machine
The team at Options Now
Medical Pregnancy Clinic
was excited to showcase
their new name and their
partnership with local Knights
of Columbus organizations at
their ribbon cutting ceremony
on September 3, 2015.
Options Now Medical
Pregnancy Clinic is led by
Executive Director Trudy
Bodenbach, Advancement
Director Cara Pascal and Lori
Sanders, along with many
volunteers. The local Knights
of Columbus rallied to raise
$12,500 for the purchase of
a new ultrasound machine.
Once they raised the $12,500,
their national Knights of
Columbus chapter matched
it with an additional $12,500,
for a total of $25,000
donation!
The mission of Options
Now Medical Pregnancy
Clinic is to be the first
choice for women facing
an unplanned pregnancy.
They provide free, safe
and confidential services,
including options education,
lab quality pregnancy
testing, STD testing and
limited OB ultrasounds.
For more information
on Options Now Medical
Pregnancy Clinic, visit
Options-Now.com or call
618-467-2857.
Thank-you to the Knights of Columbus for generous support of
Options Now Medical Pregnancy Clinic. Pictured are Jeremy Plank of
CJ Schlosser, Grand Knight Greg Mattingly, Father Steve Pohlman,
Grand Knight Marcellus Tebbe, Max Heinz of the Knights of Columbus,
Options Now staff Trudy Bodenbach, Cara Pascal and Lori Sanders, State
Senator William Haine, RBGA President Monica Bristow, Congressman
John Shimkus, State Representative Dan Beiser, Godfrey Mayor Mike
McCormick, Alton Mayor Brant Walker and Options Now Board President
David Dugan.
Business Edge
page 6 | September 2015
Welcome our newest members to the RiverBend Growth Association
Berkshire Hathaway
Home Services Elite
Properties
Denise Wolff, Development /
Operations Manager
1012 Plummer Dr., Suite 301
Edwardsville IL 62025
(618) 655-4100
bhhsEliteProperties.com
Collection program for highend listings. “These resources
combined with our agents’
strong service ethic continue to
help us be the very best for our
clients,” said Plummer Lading.
Elite Properties serves greater
Edwardsville, IL with two offices
and 60 agents. The brokerage
is independently owned and
operated.
Bliss
Kaysee Johnson, Owner
3047 Godfrey Road
Godfrey IL 62035
(618) 374-6292
Berkshire Hathaway
HomeServices Elite Properties
is a full-service brokerage and
is known for its professionalism
and market expertise. Founded
in 1986 as Realty Centre of
Edwardsville, its agents are
well-trained and many carry
additional designations in
relocation, technology, and
graduate studies.
Julie Plummer Lading, Vice
President for Elite Properties,
recently reflected on the many
changes the company has seen
over the last few years. “While
the market has been continuing
to improve, we went through a
very exciting change in the third
quarter of 2014, transitioning
from our former Prudential One
brand to Berkshire Hathaway
HomeServices. We continue
to grow our excitement of
bringing Berkshire Hathaway
HomeServices to Southwestern
Illinois,” she explained. “The
brand’s namesake is one of
the world’s most trusted and
respected corporations, and it
now stands for quality service,
excellence and integrity in real
estate.”
With that transition last year,
Elite Properties agents gain
access to Berkshire Hathaway
HomeServices’ Global Network
Platform – a robust suite of
real estate tools and resources
– plus professional education,
business consultation, marketing
support and the exclusive Luxury
Bliss is a quaint salon & spa
located at 3047 Godfrey Rd. Our
goal is to make sure you have
the best spa experience possible.
We have a genuine desire to
take care of our guests. All of
our treatments are given by
licensed professionals who take
pride in delivering personalized,
dedicated services.
We offer massage, skincare,
nails, and hair services to all
who want to be relaxed and
pampered. Currently we are
partnered with American
Cancer Society to offer wigs to
anyone going through cancer
treatment, at no charge. Our
staff also specializes in safe spa
treatments for cancer patients
and survivors.
Please give us a call to make
your appointment at 618-3746292 or find us on FB under Bliss
Massage and Skincare Center.
Eliot Gray Construction Morrison’s Irish Pub
Eliot Gray, Owner
3228 Terpening Lane
Brighton IL 62012
(618) 372-8781
Having been in business since
1984, Eliot Gray Construction
works primarily in new
residential construction. His
newest subdivision project
is The Oaks at Greystone, off
Pierce Lane in Godfrey. The
construction firm also does
home remodeling.
JCH Healthcare
Jen Bell, Dir. of Community
Relations
400 Maple Summit Rd.
Jerseyville IL 62052
(619) 498-6402
jch.org
JCH Healthcare continues
to provide patients with the
highest quality of healthcare in
the Midwestern part of Illinois.
Counting physicians, staff and
volunteers, there are nearly
500 people forming the team
to provide you quality care. We
are honored by the community
support that has allowed Jersey
Community Hospital to grow and
advance since its origin in 1954.
JCH is owned by the residents of
Jersey County and shared by the
residents of Greene, Calhoun and
other surrounding counties.
The trust that people place
in us has enabled us to grow
Centers of Excellence, like the JCH
Wellness Center, and Orthopedics
while keeping traditional services
strong. This year we were able
to expand our service area and
operate 13 different clinics with
over 30 providers in the JCH
Medical Group. Survival Flight,
an emergency medical helicopter
transport company, is now
operating and located on the
JCH Medical Campus. Every day
we continue to provide excellent
care to our patients making sure
that the right choice is right here.
Lisa Morrison and Mary
VanKirk, Owner
200 State Street
Alton IL 62002
(618) 433-8900
Morrison’s Irish Pub is a family
owned and operated restaurant
and bar offering a unique menu
of Irish-American Cuisine and
an array of specialty cocktails.
Serving only premium liquors
with a large selection of Irish
whiskey’s on hand. Morrison’s
has many craft bottled and
canned beers to choose from and
12 different beers tapped directly
from the cooler. Morrison’s
also only uses Irish butter
and imports many Irish fares
like bangers, Irish bacon and
Guinness chips. Morrison’s also
utilizes local Alton businesses
like LuciAnna’s Pastries, Duke’s
Bakery, Templar Brewery, and
Old Bakery Brewery.
Morrison’s Irish Pub is
located in the Historic district
of Alton, 200 State Street at
the corner State and Broadway.
The atmosphere is clean and
comfortable with the primary
decor being made up of wood
and brick. The Irish décor is
prominent throughout and is
sure to continue to expand over
time. The hours of business are
Tuesday through Sunday 11am to
1am; food is served from 11 am to
10 pm.
Prestige Carpet &
Upholstery Cleaning,
Inc.
Mary Terry, Co-Owner
124 Valleywood Court
Bethalto IL 62010
(618) 377-1710
prestigecarpetcleaning-il.com
Prestige Carpet & Upholstery
Cleaning started in November
continued on page 7
Business Edge
page 7 | September 2015
newest members (continued from page 6)
of 1983. John Terry is the owner
and operator along with his
wife, Mary Terry. The method of
cleaning is steam cleaning, hot
water extraction.
The process involves PreTreating, Steam Cleaning and
Deodorizing. All products used
by Prestige are children and pet
friendly. Prestige Carpet Cleaning
is able to do a complete job of
moving and replacing furniture,
to clean where dust may hide.
Many customers may prefer just
to have the traffic areas cleaned
and that is not a problem, you
can still have your closets and
along your baseboards cleaned.
Prestige Carpet Cleaning
is able to do flood jobs. John
has many years’ experience of
cleaning up after carpets have
been affected by some sort of
flood. You are able to save your
carpets and have them cleaned
up from mildew, germs or musty
odors. They are equipped with
dehumidifiers and air blowers to
complete the drying process.
John is certified with the
Institute of Inspection Cleaning
and Restoration. He keeps up
his certification by attending
training in the St Louis area.
The focus of the business
has been to clean carpets and
upholstery but they have added
TILE and GROUT CLEANING in
the last seven years. Not only
do they clean residential but
also commercial businesses.
Many churches in the area have
been cleaned by Prestige Carpet
Cleaning.
Wirtz Beverage Illinois
Belleville
Hamilton Callison, Director of
Operations
4 Premier Drive
Belleville IL 62220
(618) 277-4300
wirtzbev.com
Started in 1933 in East St. Louis
Illinois by Olin H Callison, Wirtz
Beverage of Belleville serves a 47
county area of Southern Illinois
the Callison Family and Wirtz
Belleville are very proud to serve
the Riverbend and Madison
County community.
that includes the Metro East.
In 1977, the company moved
its headquarters to Belleville
from East St. Louis. The Callison
family then became partners
with Wirtz Beverage in 1998.
Today Olin’s grandson, Ed
Callison, serves as the President
of the company and Olin’s greatgrandson, Hamilton serves as
the Director of Operations.
Wirtz Beverage of Belleville is
the exclusive distributor for
DIAGEO, Brown Forman, Bacardi
USA, Sazerac, Remy Martin,
William Grant, Kendall Jackson,
Banfi and several other key
wine and spirits suppliers in the
Metro East. With over 80 years
of experience in the market,
Ground broken for Alton Regional Multi-Modal Transportation Center
Monica Bristow, President
of the RBGA, emceed the
gathering of local elected
officials and business leaders
at the Alton Regional MultiModal Transportation Center
(RMTC) Groundbreaking Event.
The Center will create a new
surface transportation hub at
the passenger rail gateway in
the northern portion of the
St. Louis metropolitan area.
It creates a seamless transfer
between passenger rail service,
regional transit, bicycle trails
and pedestrian facilities.
The center will increase the
competitiveness of multimodal travel and will support
a more regionally and modally
balanced transportation
system.
The project includes the
construction of a 9,000 sq.
ft. train station, boarding
platforms, Madison County
Transit bus terminal and
parking facilities with
225 spaces. Roadway
improvements include the
construction of a new access
road, realignment of Golf Road
and intersection improvements
along Homer Adams Parkway
at Golf Road and Buckmaster
Lane. Additional site amenities
include extensive landscaping,
bicycle/pedestrian trails,
bicycle storage lockers, Call-forAssistance (CFA) devices and
site surveillance.
This 24 million dollar
project is funded in part by a
$13.8 million Transportation
Investment Generating
Economic Recovery (TIGER)
grant from the Federal Railroad
Administration. The Illinois
Department of Transportation
is contributing approx. $6.5
million in funding towards the
project. The remaining project
costs are the required local
match of the City of Alton with
anticipated contributions from
Madison County Transit.
It takes of team to make
a project of this magnitude
happen and the event
consisted of comments by
Alton Mayor Brant Walker,
Madison County Chairman Alan
Dunstan, Sen. Dick Durbin’s
representative Cameron
Joost, Senator Bill Haine,
Representative Dan Beiser and
Congressman Mike Bost.
page 8 | September 2015
Business Edge
Annual women’s seminar was a success
More than two hundred
RiverBend Growth Association
women filled the Atrium Hotel &
members for supporting this
COUNTRY Financial Jeff Lauritzen,
Conference Center on Wednesday,
seminar:
Dr. Katie Drake and Dr. Kristina
September 16, 2015 at the annual
Major Sponsor: Argosy Casino
Bemis, Foxes Grove Supportive
women’s seminar hosted by the
Alton
Living Community, Imaging Center
RBGA. The 2015 seminar, Bet on
Folder sponsor: Alton Memorial
Yourself…Bet on a Winner, with
of Alton, Integrative Body Work,
Hospital
major sponsor Argosy Casino Alton,
Integrity Healthcare Communities,
Speaker sponsor: Cope Plastics,
energized these 200 + women
Integrity Healthcare Communities,
Kathy Smith Attorney, New York Life
with motivational and educational
Shell Community Federal Credit
Insurance - Rochelle Freeman, Party
speakers, fabulous attendance gifts Union, TheBANK of Edwardsville
on Broadway, Scott Credit Union,
and door prizes, endless networking
Printing sponsor: The Telegraph
SCORE, Southwestern Illinois Small
opportunities and delicious food
Refreshment Sponsors: Atrium
Business Development Center
and beverages.
Hotel & Conference Center, Good
Bag Stuffer sponsors: Angela
Everyone who attends this
Knight Cupcakes and Cookies
McDowell Counseling Services,
event knows how important the
Ameren, JR Keller of Chapel & Keller
Nametag sponsor: OSF Saint
atmosphere is and the event is
Dentistry Partnership, Nautilus
Anthony’s Health Center
st
themed out every year. This year
Fitness Center and Prestige Carpet
Meal sponsor: 1 MidAmerica
was no different and Atrium Hotel
& Upholstery Cleaning
Credit Union
& Conference Center was maxed
Sound system sponsor: Jim
Centerpiece sponsor: Raifort
out in a casino theme…attendees
Claywell of Edward Jones
Properties
saw casino, heard casino and tasted
Door prize donors: Andy’s, Angela
Decoration sponsors: Baxter’s
casino!
McDowell Counseling Service,
Distributing, Missouri Baptist
The event opened with
Atrium Hotel & Conference Center,
University
speaker Joelle Shearin, General
Country Financial Jeff Lauritzen, Jim
Major prize sponsors: LogoIt,
Manager of Argosy Casino Alton,
Claywell of Edward Jones, Lewis
welcoming the 200+ attendees and Argosy Casino Alton
& Clark Community College, Scott
Booth sponsors: 1904 General
welcoming them to the casino for
Credit Union, Sheppard Morgan &
Store, Altonized Community
entertainment fun: casino action
Schwaab, St. Louis Regional Airport,
Federal Credit Union, Andy’s
and food and beverages.
Tan Islands, Wirtz Beverage
Speakers for the event were Karen Auto Body & Car Care, Beverly
Farm, Bliss, CNB Bank & Trust,
Wilson of State Farm Insurance &
Financial Services, Richard Avdoian
of Midwest Business Institute,
Jennifer Meckles of KSDK
Mark
NewsChannel 5 and Alton
your
Police Officer Emily Hejna.
calendars
The attendees were wined
for next
and dined with delicious
refreshments and beverages, year’s women’s
seminar on
sponsored by 1st MidAmerica
Wednesday,
Credit Union, Atrium Hotel
September
& Conference Center, Good
21, 2016.
Knight Cupcakes and Cookies
and TheBANK of Edwardsville.
The continued success of this
Thank-you to each of the committee members for their involvement in making this
seminar is made possible by the
event a success: Joell Aguirre of the RBGA, Beth Tucker of Andy’s Auto Body & Car Care,
Chris Corby of Missouri Baptist University, Geri Mathews of LogoIt, Angela McDowell of
support of our sponsors and door
Angela McDowell Counseling Services, Alice Bunjan of LCCC, Mary Blotna of Heneghan and
prize donors. Thank-you to these
Associates, Margot Huber of Real Deals on Home Decor, Attorney Kathy Smith and Lori
Kuithe of LCCC. Not pictured Jacinda Gust of Atrium Hotel & Conference Center.
page 9 | September 2015
Business Edge
RBGA members Stacey Mitchell of Brickhouse Cardio Club and Vicki
Hopkins of Party on Broadway participated as a vendor booth sponsor
at Bet on Yourself…Bet on a Winner.
RBGA member Chris Velloff of 1904 General Store was a vendor at the
seminar.
Karen Wilson of State Farm Insurance & Financial Services was one of the
four speakers at Bet on Yourself…Bet on a Winner.
Argosy Casino Alton was the major sponsor of Bet on Yourself…Bet on a
Winner. Argosy Casino Alton’s team of women joined the seminar, led by
General Manger Joelle Shearin and Director of Finance Jennifer Jacobsen.
Good Knight Cupcakes and Cookies was a refreshment sponsor at the seminar. They showcased cupcakes, cookies and chocolate strawberries. They
are located at 1490 B E. Edwardsville Road in Wood River.
page 10 | September 2015
Business Edge
Business Edge
page 11 | September 2015
Jersey State Bank provides tips to protect your identity
October is National Cybersecurity
Awareness Month
According to the Federal Trade
Commission, identity theft has topped its
list of consumer complaints every year
for the last 15-years. Identity theft occurs
when a criminal obtains and misuses
someone’s personal information without
permission, typically for economic gain.
For many victims, it can result in drained
bank accounts, poor credit and a damaged
reputation.
“Jersey State Bank recognizes the
devastation this can cause to an individual
and is here to help reduce the chance
it can happen to you” said Jim Hoefert,
President/CEO. “Our goal is to equip
our customers with knowledge on how
to protect their personal information to
reduce this unfortunate situation from
happening to them.”
In honor of National Cybersecurity
Awareness Month, Jersey State Bank
offers the following tips to help customers
protect themselves from becoming a
victim of identity theft:
Don’t share your personal information
– Don’t provide your social security
number or account information to anyone
who contacts you online or over the
phone. Protect your PIN’s and passwords
and don’t share them with anyone. Use
a combination of letters and numbers
for your passwords and change them
periodically. Don’t reveal sensitive or
personal information on social networking
sites.
Shred sensitive papers – Shred receipts,
bank statements and unused credit card
offers before throwing them away.
Keep an eye out for missing mail –
Fraudsters look for monthly bank or
credit card statements or other mail
containing your financial information.
Consider enrolling in online banking and
e-statements to reduce the likelihood of
paper statements being stolen. Also, don’t
mail bills from your own mailbox with the
flag up.
Use online banking to protect yourself
– Monitor your financial account balances
regularly for fraudulent transactions. Sign
up for text or email alerts from your bank
for certain types of transactions, such as
online purchases or transactions of more
than $100.
Monitor your credit report – Order
a free copy of your credit report every
four months from one of the three credit
reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.
com.
Protect your computer – Make sure
the virus protection software on your
computer is active and up to date. When
conducting business online, make sure
your browser’s padlock or key icon is
active. Also look for an “s” after the “http”
to be sure the website is secure.
Protect your mobile device – Use
the passcode lock on your smartphone
and other devices. This will make it
more difficult for thieves to access your
information if your device is lost or
stolen. Before you donate, sell or trade
your mobile device, be sure to wipe it
using specialized software or using the
manufacturer’s recommended technique.
Some software allows you to wipe your
device remotely if it is lost or stolen. Use
caution when downloading apps, as they
may contain malware and avoid opening
links and attachments – especially from
senders you don’t know.
Report any suspected fraud to your
bank immediately – The quicker you
inform your bank, the faster we can help
to minimize any potential loss.
Jersey State Bank, the only locally owned
Bank in Jersey County, has a long history
as a trusted provider of financial products
and services to Jersey County and the
surrounding area. Established in 1903, the
Bank has assets in excess of $140 million
and currently two offices to serve its
customers in Jerseyville and Grafton.
The RBGA has recently added a section to our website
with Employment Opportunities. It’s located at
http://www.growthassociation.com/page/employment-opportunities/. It can also be accessed from the header of
any page throughout the site.
Members can post their job openings on this page. Here’s the link: http://www.growthassociation.com/page/
create-employment-ad/