Mason takes over Ameren's SEMO Division

AmerenUE has named Jean M. Mason manager of the company's SEMO Division. Before her promotion, she was supervisor of retail access at Ameren's Alternative Retail Electric Supplier Business Center in St. Louis, managing the program that enables Illinois customers to choose their electricity supplier.

Mason replaces Mike Hohlman, who served briefly as manager before taking his old job in Columbia back for "health-related" reasons, said Ameren spokesman Mike Cleary. Before Hohlman, Doug Groesbeck was Ameren's manager at the Cape Girardeau office.

Mason was born in East St. Louis, Ill., and joined Ameren -- then known as Union Electric Co. --in 1986 as a temporary clerk in underground/safety. Later, she held secretarial positions in the personnel and legal departments. In 1995, she was promoted to supervisor in the General Counsel function, managing the administrative staff. She has been supervisor of retail access in St. Louis since 1999.

Mason holds a degree in business administration from Fontbonne University in St. Louis. She and her husband plan to move to Cape Girardeau this fall.

Financial rep wins performance award

Cheryl Mothes of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Jackson recently won the firm's exclusive Century Award for outstanding performance during 2002.

John Bachmann, the firm's managing partner, calls Mothes a leader in the firm and an example of what a dedicated Edward Jones investment representative can achieve. She was one of only 191 of the firm's more than 9,000 brokers to achieve the award.

The largest firm in the nation in terms of branch offices, Edward Jones currently has more than 8,000 offices in the United States and through its affiliates in Canada and the United Kingdom. Plans call for expansion to 10,000 offices in 2003.

Main Street Fitness staffers get certificates

Jeff Grindstaff, Clay Pope and Kelly Hitt have received personal trainer certifications through the Interactive Fitness Trainer Association. Hitt and Pope have been affiliated with Southeast Missouri Hospital Main Street Fitness for two years. Grindstaff has been a staff member for three years.

Pam Adams, a wellness activity specialist at Main Street, has received certification as a group fitness instructor though IFTA. Millie Aufdenberg has earned certification as a children's fitness specialist through the American Fitness Professional Association. She has been with Main Street three years.

Located at 410 West Main in Jackson, Main Street Family Fitness Center offers a variety of exercise classes and educational programs.

ERA Cape Realty hires new agent

Carole Clayton has joined the ERA Cape Realty sales staff. As part of ERA Cape Realty, Clayton will sell online listings, home warranty plans, the ERA Seller Securities Plan and other services.

Clayton was born and raised in Charleston, Mo., and has lived in Cape Girardeau for 27 years.

ERA Cape Realty describes itself as a local leader in the residential real estate industry with more than 45 years serving the Cape Girardeau area.

Cooper, Hall join staff of Sleepy Hollow Furniture

Angel Cooper and Susan Hall have joined the sales staff of Sleepy Hollow Furniture in Cape Girardeau.

Hall will work as an interior designer as well as in the sales department. She started two weeks ago.

Cooper also is in charge of floor design, meaning she decorates the showroom. Cooper has an associate's degree in interior design from Denver, Colo. She worked in a design showroom in Denver for four years as well as model home design and had her own business for a time doing blueprint presentations.

Accountant attends nationwide tax forum

Lonnie R. Lusk, CPA, accounting supervisor with Schott & Van de Ven, Certified Public Accountants attended an IRS nationwide tax forum.

The three-day training was sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and held in St. Louis. In addition to presentations by IRS personnel, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, National Association of Tax Professionals, National Society of Accountants and National Society of Tax Professionals presented seminars and hosted information booths.

The training included tax law changes, electronic filing, electronic payments, tax exempt applications, compliance issues, alternative dispute resolution options, customer service, retirement plans, offers-in-compromise, payroll issues, education tax incentives and earned income credit issues.

-- From staff reports