Cape lawyer recognized by the Missouri Bar

Cape Girardeau lawyer Donald Dickerson has been honored as a senior counselor of the Missouri Bar. The title is given to lawyers who have reached the age of 75 or who have been admitted to the Bar for 50 years. The recognition ceremonies were during the opening luncheon at the Missouri Bar annual meeting in St. Louis on Sept. 28. A total of 117 members of the Missouri Bar were presented with the designation at the luncheon.

Woodmen rep completes counselor course

Bruce Qualls of Cape Girardeau, a Modern Woodmen of America representative, has attained the Federal Insurance Counselor designation. The title is an educational designation that can be earned by career life insurance representatives associated with fraternal insurance societies. Representatives devote more than a year to meet the examination and career development criteria set by the Fraternal Field Managers Association.

Nursing officer named a distinguished graduate

Karen Crites Hendrickson, Southeast Missouri Hospital's vice president and chief nursing officer, has been named to the Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing Distinguished Graduate Honor Roll. In 1994, she received the Barnes Outstanding Alumnus Award. Hendrickson received her nursing diploma from the Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis. Hendrickson was the founder of the Cape Girardeau Area Career and Technology Center's School of Practical Nursing and played major roles in Southeast Missouri Hospital establishing its College of Nursing and Health Sciences in 1991 and the establishment of an international partnership between the Barnes College of Nursing and a school of nursing in Maastricht, Holland.

Tourism industry recognizes Kennett magazine publisher

Kennett was well-represented at the 38th annual Governor's Conference on Tourism in St. Charles recently when the state's tourism industry honored Kennett-based "Show-Me Missouri" magazine publisher Gary Figgins.

"Show-Me Missouri" received the Navigator Media Award, which recognizes broadcast, print and electronic media that have supported and promoted tourism in the state. The quarterly magazine has featured Missouri destinations and lesser-known attractions since its inaugural issue in 1998.

"I'm always amazed at the number of people I hear who complain about their daily jobs," Figgins told the audience of 200 industry members. "They force themselves to get up each morning and work at jobs they care nothing about. How sad is that? I have the privilege of making a living doing something that I truly enjoy doing -- telling people what a great place Missouri is."

The first "Show-Me Missouri" issue in winter 1998 consisted of 24 pages with no advertising or paid subscribers and was distributed free through Missouri's seven official state welcome centers.

"It's a wonder we ever made it to the second issue," said Figgins, who began his publishing career in high school as a staff writer and later as assistant editor and then advertising manager for the tri-weekly Democrat-Argus newspaper in Caruthersville.

Since then, the publication has doubled in size, is currently mailed to subscribers in 40 states and every Canadian province and is available in major bookstores throughout Missouri. The publication is also available on the Internet at "www.showmemissouri.net."

The glossy, full-color magazine is visually-oriented, placing as much emphasis on photographs as on in-depth articles about destinations and attractions throughout the state. Nearly a dozen writers and photographers scattered across the state submit stories and photos for each publication.

In addition to producing the magazine, Figgins is in his second term as president of Missouri Travel Council, the state's largest tourism advocacy association.

Real estate agent receives national honor

The National Association of Realtors has announced that Thomas M. Meyer of Cape Girardeau has been awarded membership in the Omega Tau Rho fraternity, given to those who have completed their term as an officer of the National Association of Realtors, served as a past state president and recognized as a Realtor of the Year for Missouri. The honor was first established in 1950 by the executive committee of the National Association of Realtors and recognizes the recipient with a medallion. Meyer is only the second person in this area to receive this honor -- his father, Thomas L. Meyer, received the recognition more than 30 years ago.

Independent bankers group elects local VP

R. David Crader of Jackson was elected vice president for The Missouri Independent Bankers Association for the 2006-2007 term. Crader has served on various MIBA committees and has been actively involved as a community banking leader throughout his career at The Bank of Missouri. The association's elections were held at its 29th annual convention Sept. 12 to 15 at The Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, Mo. The Missouri Independent Bankers Association serves community banks throughout Missouri, providing legislative representation, education and seminar programs, as well as other services designed exclusively for community banks.

Worldwide company Cape distributor

Jeff Emmenderfer, who operates a Kirby Distributorship in Cape Girardeau, was recently recognized by Kirby World Headquarters for reaching business goals. The recognition is part of the Challenge of Champions "Your Road Map to Success Campaign," a year-long promotion in which distributors can win prizes and trips for their outstanding performance. The Kirby Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, has been manufacturing American-made home-care systems for 92 years.

Chateau director elected to association board

Frank Soltys, CEO of Chateau Girardeau, has been elected to the board of directors for the Missouri Association of Homes for the Aging. As a member of the board of directors, Soltys will assist in overseeing the implementation of strategic goals established for the association. These goals include providing the organization's membership and long-term health-care and senior housing industry with governmental affairs advocacy, information and education. His term of office is three years.

Sikeston banker to retire

Joel Montgomery Sr. has announced his retirement as chairman of Montgomery Bancorporation Inc., the parent company of Montgomery Bank. He made the announcement at a recent meeting of the bank's board of directors. 

Succeeding Montgomery as chairman of Montgomery Bancorporation Inc. will be Troy Wilson, the current chief executive officer of Montgomery Bank. Richard Montgomery remains chairman of Montgomery Bank.

This transition provides continuity of the Montgomery family's leadership and ownership, which has been in place for almost 50 years.

Wilson has been president and chief executive officer of Montgomery Bank since 1988. Under his leadership, the bank's assets have grown from $59 million to over $900 million. During this same time, the bank extended its reach from Southeast Missouri into Cape Girardeau, St. Louis and Southwest Florida. There are currently 16 locations with more planned. The bank is one of the largest privately held, family-owned banks in the Midwest. It employs over 220 people.

Joel Montgomery Sr. acquired controlling interest of Planters Bank in 1957. Planters Bank was originally chartered in 1903 and centered its operation in Doniphan, Mo. After gaining ownership, Montgomery renamed the bank First National Bank and moved the operation to Sikeston. In 2004, the bank was renamed Montgomery Bank to distinguish itself in the marketplace and to honor its founder, Joel Montgomery Sr.

P&G manager named IAAP exec of the year

The Girardot Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals celebrated its annual executive night at Bella Italia restaurant in Cape Girardeau on Oct. 17 with two administrative assistants and executives attending. The Girardot chapter selected Bill Barkley, the local Procter & Gamble family care plant manager, as executive of the year. His administrative assistant, Donna Wills, nominated Barkley and presented him with a certificate. Barkley has been employed by Procter & Gamble since 1982 and has been the family care plant manager at the Cape Girardeau facility since January 2004. Patricia Eck, president of Girardot Chapter, recognized three chapter members who received the certified professional secretary rating this year: Wanda Lang, Dale Chronister and Shelby Hediger. Eck also recognized two members who recently recertified as professional secretary and/or administrative professional: Anita Hahs and Sherri Jenkins.

Sikeston doctor earns honor

Roy Waltrip, a Sikeston physician, is again a Charter Diplomate of The American Board of Family Medicine. Waltrip earned the status with the successful completion of the ABFM's recertification examination.

Waltrip successfully completed his recertification in family medicine for the sixth time. One of only 147 family physicians who took the first certification examination offered by the then American Board of Family Practice in 1970 who are still certified, he is one of 13 fellow Charter Diplomates to successfully complete the recertification examination this year. Board certification confers a standard of excellence in knowledge and practice to physicians who not only certify via the examination process, but who also work diligently on the maintenance of these skills during the seven-year cycle between examinations.

To achieve recertification by the ABFM, a family physician must verify the completion of 300 hours of acceptable continuing medical education over the past six years; possess a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States ; and successfully complete a one-day, written examination of cognitive knowledge and problem-solving abilities.

This examination covers the disciplines of the specialty including, but not limited to: adult medicine; care of newborns, infants, children, and adolescents; maternity and gynecological care; community medicine; care of the older patient; human behavior and mental health; and care of the surgical patient.

New employees

• Dr. Karen Fieser has joined Deer Ridge Animal Hospital in Jackson as a veterinarian.
• Richard Davidson has joined the sales staff at Wieser Hyundai in Cape Girardeau
• Russell Maschmeier, Lora Howard-Gloth, Steven Keele and Michael Ponder have been hired at Nordenia USA in Cape Girardeau.
• Amy Hodges of Cape Girardeau; Jean Ann Smith of Gordonville; Amy Powell, Jennifer Vandeven and Diana Porter, all of Jackson; and Chasady Stortz of Whitewater have started their own AtHome America business, a direct seller of home decorating accents.
• Rick Crow has joined the sales staff at Wieser Hyundai in Cape Girardeau
• Kim Hull is the new advertising manager at the Daily Statesman newspaper in Dexter.
• Mina Hoehn is a new real estate agent with Century 21 Heartland Realty in Jackson.
• Tyler Russom is the new manager of Buchheit in Jackson.
• Kenneth Witbrodt Jr. is the new CEO of Sikeston-based Montgomery Bank.
• Don Garner has joined the staff at Bud Shell Ford in Dexter.

New businesses

• Country Pride Antique Mall in Benton has been purchased by Michelle Elmer from Delano Hobbs.
• Studio Design in Cape Girardeau has been purchased by Sarah Puls from Jeanne Pruitt.
• Crooked Creek Dinner Theater has opened at 205 Plutarch St. in Marble Hill. The owners are Michael Ross and Ken Trentham.
• Hey, Gorgeous, a styling salon, has opened at 113 Independence in Cape Girardeau. The owners are Trena Lawrence and Clint Matlock.
• Curb Creations, a decorative concrete curbing business, has opened in Oak Ridge. The owner is Bill Johns.
• B&B Door has relocated to 2383 S. Farmington (Route PP) in Jackson. The owners are Mike and Leonard Beussink.
• Postal Planet, a packing and shipping business, has opened on East Jackson Boulevard in Jackson. The owners are Brad and Melanie Ward and Jill and Darrin Bruenderman.
• Shock Performance Enhancement, a fitness center, has opened at 1166 Greenway Drive, Suite 3A, in Jackson. The owners are Jason and Lindsay Goodson and Jayson Strickland.
• Shear Designs Hair Salon & Boutique has opened at 2731 Chrysler Ave. in Cape Girardeau. The salon is appointment only, and the boutique sells Red Hat Society jewelry and other items. The owner is Joyce Tummins.
• Lakes Country Resource Centers has opened at 3105 Independence in Cape Girardeau.
• Last Call, a nightclub in the building formerly occupied by Players Bar, has opened at 632 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The owner is Tim Schloss.
• Pizza Hut has opened at 820 N. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau. The owner is A&D Management Co.
• King Marine, a boating business, has relocated to 1225 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. The owner is Shawn King.
• Advanced Technology Products Radio Shack has relocated to 2941 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson.
• Pet Point, a pet boutique, has opened at 507 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson. The owner is Marie Kirn.
• The Picket Fence, a home decor and collectibles store, has opened in Suite 150 of the new Hoeckele's Bakery building at 1516 Edgemont in Perryville.
• Room Mates, at 358 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, has been purchased by Gary McCormick.
• Lender's Title and Escrow has opened at 125 S. Broadview St. in Cape Girardeau. The branch manager is Roberta Schwanter.