Recognitions

Southeast Missouri

SEMO Box Co. of Cape Girardeau has received registration from the International Organization for Standardization. The registration helps both product- and service-oriented organizations achieve standards of quality that are recognized worldwide through a set of comprehensive requirements. The company makes corrugated boxes for a variety of companies in automotive, food, electronics and related industries.

Cape Girardeau's Automation Services Co. was recently awarded SBC's 2003 award for the most revenue for data networking in SBC's five-state southwest area. Automation Services has been providing computer hardware and software to local businesses for more than 15 years.

The River Heritage Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors recently honored Steven Fritzler with the M. Luther Hahs Insurance and Financial Advisor of the Year Award. It is given to individuals who make outstanding contributions to the industry.

Three area residents have completed the Six Sigma Black Belt Training Program provided by Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Center in cooperation with Mineral Area Community College. Rod Davis, Chris Simmers and Stephanie Bryan, all of Nordenia USA Inc. in Jackson, attended four weeks of classes and are finishing in-plant projects to complete the course, which is for improving customer service.

Crystal Burress, sales professional with Prudential Financial of Cape Girardeau, was recently granted the Life Underwriter Training Council fellow designation. It is conferred by the corporate office on agents to mark their commitment to professionalism.

Cape Girardeau AAA sales agent Janice Weinhold recently received the Gold Seal Award from the corporation for 2003. The award recognizes her for consistent and superior standards of performance in property and casualty insurance services. She has been an agent since 1993.

Melvin Van de Ven of Schott and Van de Ven Certified Public Accountants in Cape Girardeau, recently attended the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants annual convention. The conference covered topics concerning the economic forecast to help plan and budget for the future. Also at the event, Schott and Van de Ven was awarded the LEAP award for providing opportunities to students in the state.

BART, a Cape Girardeau-based luxury van shuttle service to and from St. Louis' Lambert International Airport, recently celebrated completion of its 17th year of operation. It also celebrated a year in which the company logged 1,648,551 miles without an accident.

The Mississippi River Radio Group was recently recognized by the Missouri Broadcaster's Association at its annual convention on June 12 in St. Louis. KEZS-K103 received first place for play-by-play announcing of Southeast Missouri State University games by Erik Sean. The country music station also nabbed certificates of merit for The Wake Up Crew with Kent Crider (DJ Award) and Bobbi Ann Mason, and its "Hoop It Up" community service campaign. News Radio 960 KZIM was recognized as best in the state for medium market radio for complete newscast for its KZIM News at 5 with Todd Bonacki. The station's Morning News Watch host, Faune Riggin, also won first place for her news series "School Rules." Sean, who is also KZIM's sports director, received a certificate of merit for his feature "Remembering Jack Buck." In Poplar Bluff, KKLR Morning Show host Rick Sinclair took home first place for the DJ Award in small market radio, KJEZ received a certificate of merit for its commercial announcement for "Wee Kenders," and KWOC got certificates of merit for complete newscast and special programs.

Lonnie Hasty, a CPA and Sikeston resident, was named Outstanding Certified Public Accountant in Business and Industry by the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA). Hasty was chosen for his contribution to the advancement of Missouri's accounting profession and was honored for his achievements at the MSCPA's annual convention in Lake of the Ozarks. Both an MSCPA boar d member and an executive committee member of its Southeast Chapter, Hasty has been a MSCPA member since 1978. Hasty is vice president of Health Facilities Management Corp. where he is the company's controller and is responsible for accounting and tax reporting for 30 nursing facilities and several related entities.

USDA Rural Development recently presented Cindy Webb of Union Planters Bank with a certificate of appreciation. Webb is a mortgage originator, and she was recognized for originating $500,000 in the Rural Development Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, which helps moderate-income families finance home purchases.

President and CEO Troy Wilson of Montgomery Bank in Sikeston was recently elected chairman of the Missouri Bankers Association. He was congratulated by former first lady Barbara Bush, who was the keynote speaker at the association's convention in Branson, Mo.

The Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants recently honored Cape Girardeau accountants James Hillin and Melvin Schmidt for 35 years of service. Gary Johnson was honored for his leadership as the outgoing chairman of the organization.

Two employees at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston were recently honored at the Employee Awards Banquet. Brooke Reed, occupational therapist for In-patient Rehab and ReStart was named Employee of the Year. Maggie Buckley, MSW, director of social services, was selected Manager of the Year.