BusinessDecember 12, 2016
Business notebook: Codefi's look blossoms in new Marquette Tower site
The fifth and sixth floors of the Marquette Tower teemed with guests Tuesday night, many of whom were seeing the new Codefi offices for the first time. In April, it was announced the old Marquette Tower would be transformed into the Marquette Tech District, a high-tech hub for downtown Cape Girardeau... 
The fifth and sixth floors of the Marquette Tower teemed with guests Tuesday night, many of whom were seeing the new Codefi offices for the first time.
In April, it was announced the old Marquette Tower would be transformed into the Marquette Tech District, a high-tech hub for downtown Cape Girardeau.
Less than a year later, more than 400 people walked through Codefi to see the latest evidence of how far the district has come.
The new space abounds with modern decor. James Stapleton, founder of Codefi and executive director of the Marquette Tech District, said he and other Codefi partners designed the space, and Jerra Huston and Whitney Reed of Hutson's Fine Furniture collaborated on finishes and furniture.
Treatments complement and contrast with each other. Walls of intricately patterned paper or vibrant airbrushed murals lead into the private office space with clear glass walls.
"It was kind of a design challenge with the glass walls, trying to make everything cohesive." said Reed, an interior designer. "When the walls are glass and you can see through everything, [the wall treatments] really need to work together."
Stapleton said the walls have been garnering good feedback.
"Our members love the use of glass partitions because they provide lots of natural light and a feeling of openness while also providing privacy," Stapleton said in an email.
A spiral staircase connects the two floors. On the upper floor, a common room, an open kitchen conference room and a game room are interspersed among a diverse group of businesses that call Codefi home.
Bathrooms are marked with silly illustrations. Wall clocks are slightly askew. Colors in the common spaces pop in contrast to the work space.
This, Reed said, was to provide another avenue for inspiration for Codefi members.
"All of the offices are pretty plain ... so when you're ready to go back to your office, you can really knuckle down and get some work done," she said. "But there is that really bright, inspirational space you can go to when you need it."
This atmosphere, paired with modern office furnishings and high-tech amenities, has drawn 56 companies that use the shared spaces.
"We are loving our new digs," Jaime Mayfield of the Cultural Exchange Network, or CENET, said.
Her organization occupies several office spaces on the fifth floor, and she praised Codefi for its atmosphere and the amenities it offers, such as high-speed internet, a full kitchen and craft beer on tap.
"I'm so glad Cape has a fun, cool, invigorating space like this," Mayfield said.
The new private office space in the center is nearly 100 percent occupied as Southeast Missouri's existing businesses expand and startups join the region.
"While our core focus continues to be the development and support of technology-based companies, we found that there is considerable local demand from innovative companies in other industries for high-tech, modern office spaces in a uniquely collaborative environment," Stapleton said in a news release.
Because of the high occupancy, the owners are looking at the possibility of expansion.
"We are considering renovating the majority of the fourth floor," Stapleton said.
But until then, if private office space reaches capacity, the center still can accommodate many additional individual and corporate members who don't require private offices but want access to the amenities Codefi offers.
Saint Francis honored
Saint Francis Medical Center was presented with the Aim for Excellence Award during the Missouri Hospital Association's 94th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Osage Beach, Missouri, on Nov. 3.
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The center won in the small and large metropolitan statistical area hospitals category, with a quality-improvement initiative to reduce the rate of necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, a serious intestinal disease that affects premature infants, by 50 percent in the Level III neonatal intensive-care unit.
"We are extremely proud of our Level III NICU, which is providing safer, more reliable, equitable, efficient care, as a result of successful NEC reduction," Saint Francis president and CEO Steven C. Bjelich said in a news release.
Saint Francis' initial quality-improvement plan was in place for two years. The strategy included new protocols for standardized feeding advancement and for weaning donor milk, along with algorithms to assist in the evaluation of feeding intolerance and an NEC quality-improvement bundle.
During the first year of implementation, the system exceeded the goal as NEC rates dropped by 64 percent.
By year two, Saint Francis celebrated a zero NEC rate.
"The Aim for Excellence Award embodies Missouri hospitals' commitment to the Triple Aim," Herb B. Kuhn, MHA president and CEO, said in the news release. "These hospitals have made remarkable progress toward improving care through structured, data-driven programs. They are setting the example of how to build a more effective health-delivery system."
SoutheastHEALTH Foundation board set
The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation announced its governing board for 2017.
Angie Umfleet, owner of Chap Arnold Insurance, will serve as chairman in 2017 and 2018.
She succeeds Clint Karnes, who has served as board chair since January 2015.
In a news release from SoutheastHEALTH, Umfleet said she is excited about the positive direction the organization is heading.
"I'm honored to be a part of making a difference in our community and look forward to a meaningful and productive year in 2017," Umfleet said.
Outgoing chairman Karnes praised Umfleet's business acumen, professional reputation and community spirit, all of which, "make her the perfect person to lead our Foundation and, in turn, benefit the patients and mission of SoutheastHEALTH," he said in the release.
Newcomers to the board include Curt Buchheit, chief financial officer of Bank of Missouri; Patty Schaefer, chief financial officer of Mayson Capital Partners; and Daniel Statler, founder of Statler Law Firm.
They will join vice chairman Butch Holyfield of First State Community Bank, treasurer Clayton Hahs of Northwestern Mutual and secretary Becka Hollis.
"I know the foundation has the community support in these members to lead us as our foundation and its programs continue to grow," foundation executive director Patti Ranzini said in the release.
Mondi Jackson recognizes workers
Mondi Jackson LLC recently recognized the following employee anniversaries:
- 25 Years: Grover "Gene" Sachse
- 15 years: Bonita VanGennip
- Five years: Michelle Prost
Business licenses
- Midwest Cash, 2112 Broadway, is a secondhand retailer and pawn broker owned by Barry Cupp. The anticipated opening date is Jan. 1.
- Lively Essence Dance Studio, 417 Broadway, is a dance studio owned by Shaquira Sylvester. The anticipated opening date is Dec. 18.
- World Wide Auto Group LLC, 766 S. Kingshighway, is a business that rents and sells used motor vehicles. It is owned By Daniel Burnett. The anticipated opening date is Dec. 19.
- Safari Playland LLC, 3049 William St., Suite 150, is a "family fun center" owned by Tommy Huelsmann. The anticipated opening date was Nov. 18.
bbrown@semissourian.com
(573) 388-3630
Pertinent address:
339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO
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