Chamber head moonlights as graduate student

John Mehner works 50 to 60 hours a week as president and CEO of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, he is moonlighting as a graduate student at Southeast Missouri State University.

"Education at Southeast is not a gift," Mehner said. "It is hard work, and you really have to earn your degree. Between work and family, I find it a very challenging experience."

Mehner is pursuing a master's degree in public administration, a program he began more than a year ago.

After graduating from the university in 1981 with a criminal justice degree, Mehner was employed for four years as a police officer with the St. Louis County Police Department. He later worked for eight years in an office equipment business. In 1993, he was hired by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce to serve in his current capacity.

Brown attends advanced business training

Connie K. Brown, CPA, CVA, an audit manager with Schott & Van de Ven CPAs, recently attended the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts Career Development Institute.

The week-long program focused on advanced business valuation training and was held in Phoenix, Ariz. Classes included courses called "Valuing Family Limited Partnerships," "Succession and Transition Services," "Current Update in Valuations," "Capitalization/Discount Rates," "Case Studies in Business Valuations," "Valuation Discounts and Premiums" and "Valuing CPA Firms."

Brown earned the designation of certified valuation analyst after extensive training and testing. She is a member of the Missouri Society of CPAs and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts and is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois.

Mohorc now sales associate for Longaberger

Chaffee, Mo., resident Loretta Mohorc recently joined the Longaberger Co. as an independent sales associate.

Mohorc joins the 70,000 independent sales associates, who market and sell Longaberger products at home shows. Those products include baskets, fabric liners, plastic protectors, hardwood dividers and lids, an exclusive line of pottery, home accessories and wrought-iron products. The Longaberger Co. is based in Newark, Ohio.

Seabaugh gets advanced degree from NWFA

Steve Seabaugh of Seabaugh's Custom Hardwood Floors in Cape Girardeau received his advanced master degree during the National Wood Flooring Association's 2002 convention in Orlando. Seven such degrees were presented during the awards luncheon in April.

NWFA degrees recognize individuals who have been members of the NWFA for a minimum of three consecutive years and who reach specific levels of achievement in wood flooring education, personal accomplishment and service to the industry.

The degree is given to people who have received the craftsman and master craftsman degrees and who have earned 25 achievement credits.

Heavenly Ham names new manager

Ruth Kefauver has been hired to manage Heavenly Ham at 3443 William St. The specialty meat store was acquired Nov. 1 by local restauranteur Joel Neikirk in partnership with Matt D. Lee of Paducah, Ky.

Kefauver will be responsible of day-to-day operations of the Heavenly Ham. The new owners plan to expand the catering capabilities of the business.

-- From staff reports