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BRIDGES, BASES AND
THE BIG PICTURE
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By
Pam Droog
The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois has a big board—but
the group works on big projects, like bridges, highways and military
base retention. In fact, all 140 members of the LCSI are the board
members.
“When I call a monthly board meeting it’s almost like a general
membership meeting for any other organization,” says Executive Director
Jim Pennekamp. “But it’s doable. Our work is manageable and focused.”
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS, EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
(Seated left to right): DAVE FORCE,
secretary; MARK HARMS, treasurer; DOUG SITTON, president;
BYRON HEAPE, vice president
(Standing left to right): BRUCE HOLLAND, DAN
MAGRUEDER, JIM PENNEKAMP, executive director; TOM
HOLLOWAY, DAVID OATES, BOB WETZEL, CINDY WARKE, RON
CAPEK
(Not pictured): DAVID WERNER, OTIS COWAN, DIANNA
BARRON |
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The focus of this sub-regional economic development corporation
is on key issues affecting Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois.
“What’s interesting, and also the basis of our success, is that
we bring together leaders in business, labor, education and government
to work on major issues,” says Doug Sitton, president of the LCSI
board and a partner at Woolpert LLP engineering, architectural and
planning firm. “Sometimes there are competing objectives, but we
do a good job of finding areas where we can agree.”
Membership is by invitation only and includes decision-makers from
the area’s leading companies and organizations. The whole board
meets 10 times a year, and the executive committee—comprised of
officers and committee chairpersons—meets monthly. There are no
term limits.
“You can serve several years, depending on the issues we’re involved
with and the need for continuity and consistency,” Pennekamp says.
Right now the two major issues the LCSI is involved with are the
new Mississippi River bridge and keeping Scott Air Force Base open.
Pennekamp points out, the St. Louis metropolitan area is one of
only two major cities in the United States where three Interstate
highways intersect at one river bridge, the Poplar. With fewer lanes
crossing the Mississippi River into downtown St. Louis now than
in the 1960s, “a new bridge is our number one priority,” he says.
In addition, Sitton notes, “This issue also involves national security.
And psychologically, people perceive the bridge as a bottleneck
so they avoid it. The more traffic flows freely, the more the whole
region benefits.”
The LCSI started work on this $1 billion-plus project in 1992 with
a location study. Today, detailed engineering plans are being developed
and both the Illinois and Missouri Departments of Transportation
have committed to more than $300 million in bridge- related work.
“Now we’re waiting for decisions regarding the Transportation Reauthorization
Act that’s being discussed in Washington, D.C.,” Pennekamp says.
“The House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House all
have different spending priorities. The good news is both Missouri
and Illinois are very focused and committed, so we’ll see.”
The group also will see how Scott Air Force Base will fare in the
next round of base closings under the Base Realignment and Closure
program, set for 2005.
“We’re doing everything we can to preserve Scott Air Force Base,”
Pennekamp says. The base is the largest employer in downstate Illinois,
and the fourth largest in the St. Louis metro area, generating an
annual economic impact of more than $2 billion and affecting more
than 100,000 individuals. “The base survived the last round of closures
in 1995, but a more recent study said there really needs to be another
round,” he says.
In anticipation of that round, the LCSI is working closely with
elected officials and base personnel to make sure the base receives
a fair and thorough evaluation. “Our role is like a catalyst, to
try to gain an understanding of what the base realignment and closure
criteria will be and to defend Scott Air Force Base,” Sitton says.
“That means the timing is critical right now.”
The LCSI’s various committees also are hard at work on other initiatives
that will have a significant impact on the region, including education,
healthcare, telecommunications, work force development and tourism.
It’s a challenging agenda for an organization with a staff of two,
Pennekamp and one assistant. Funding for the organization’s $250,000
annual budget comes from membership fees and grants from the state,
Madison and St. Clair counties, foundations and other sources.
But a lot gets done simply by virtue of connections. Sitton explains,
“A big part of the value of this group is the networking that happens.
It’s hard to measure.”
He adds the group would like to expand its membership “to broaden
that network that’s so vital to getting things done in southwestern
Illinois and beyond. We’re always looking for people involved with
southwestern Illinois and its mission.”
If you join soon you can take part in the Council’s 20th anniversary
celebration, which is happening all year. In the meantime, the Southwestern
Illinois Leadership Council continues to serve as “a real-life example
of what you can achieve when you work together,” Pennekamp says.
Sitton adds, “As new issues come up, we’ll be poised to jump into
the leadership role if necessary, or to provide support. We’ll be
ready to respond.”
Pam Droog is a frequent contributor to St. Louis Commerce Magazine.
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