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Compiled by Lauri Johnson
ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPANDS CAMPUS
 St. Charles County legislators Sen. Jon Dolan (left) and Rep. Tom Dempsey (right) assisted college
president John McGuire and other officials in getting the new Phase 4 construction project started.
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In June, St. Charles Community College broke ground on the latest phase of a campus expansion program that will provide three new buildings for the fall 2006 semester. The construction project, known as Phase 4, involves a 100-acre undeveloped site adjacent to the main campus on Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville, Mo. The expansion will create three new buildings, an 800-space parking lot, two additional campus entrances, a water retention lake, and additional roadways and walkways that will connect to the rest of the campus.
The new facilities will include a two-story academic building with 20 classrooms, a multipurpose activity area for 200-250 people, offices and a community boardroom; a one-story bookstore-café; and a one-story art building that will accommodate an expanding art program and free up existing space for music and theater classes.
The college’s enrollment has increased more than 75 percent in the past eight years, and
the campus is being expanded in phases as
enrollment grows. Fall 2005 enrollment is 6,937.
GEILE-LEON MARKETING EARNS TELLY AWARDS
Geile-Leon Marketing Communications received three Telly Awards for a television ad campaign promoting the Arizona Daily Star newspaper. The company’s creative team received two Silver Telly Awards, one for the overall commercial and one for original
music and lyrics, and a Bronze Telly Award for animation.
“We are very happy with the entire
campaign,” states Dave Geile, the company’s creative director. “The television spot is part of a much larger branding effort for the Arizona Daily Star. Using the tagline and lyric ‘It’s a Tuscon Thing’ in radio, TV, print and point of sales displays, we positioned the paper as the news source that knows
Tuscon best.”
The Telly Awards honor outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and
programs, as well as video and film productions. The program receives in excess of 10,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries.
ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS EMPLOYEE LENDS EXPERTISE TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT
| Alcoa Home Exteriors employees who helped families in need at the 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Benton Harbor, Mich. are from left: Dave Verbosky, (Sidney, Ohio); Maureen Cowan, (St. Louis, Mo.), Dave Bensman, (Sidney, Ohio); Michael Woolf, (Sidney, Ohio). Pictured in the center are proud home recipients Yamika and James Walker. |
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Maureen Cowan, a product installation trainer from Alcoa Home Exteriors Inc., took part in the 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity International in Michigan on June 19-24. The annual event, led by former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn, brings together thousands of volunteers from around the world for a week-long, home-building effort.
Cowan provided training and installation assistance for the program, which set out to build more than 50 homes in Detroit and Benton Harbor, Mich. Alcoa Home Exteriors donated vinyl siding and accessories that were used to build the new homes. The Alcoa Home Exteriors staff also
conducted training classes prior to the event, and a
condensed training session was provided for 30 Habitat for Humanity volunteers and homeowners aboard Alcoa’s HouseWorkx mobile training center.
CLAYCO ANNOUNCES BRAND
Clayco has launched a new brand and dropped “construction company” from its name. The company has also adopted a new tagline, “The art and science of building,” to reflect the depth of services that it offers.
“We are dropping the word construction because it no longer fully reflects the full range of services we provide,” says Bob Clark, the firm’s chairman and CEO. The firm is now known simply as Clayco.
Clayco has also launched Concrete Strategies as a separate company. Formerly known as Clayco TiltUp, Concrete Strategies specializes in site-cast architectural concrete panels. The spin-off firm will continue to work as a subcontractor on Clayco projects, but is an independent entity that can partner with other contractors.
SIOR PRESENTS REAL ESTATE SCHOLARSHIPS TO
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Two university students have received a total of $6,000 in scholarships thanks to the St. Louis chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS and the SIOR Educational Foundation. Patrick
T. Hanlon, a graduate student at Saint Louis University, has received $3,000 from SIOR and is pursuing a master’s degree in urban planning and real estate development. Patrick is a real estate development
specialist with St. Louis Development Corp. and has also worked for the RCGA. Chad A. Parrish, a graduate student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, has also received $3,000 and is majoring in business administration, finance and information systems.
The SIOR Educational Foundation’s
mission is to promote, sponsor and support education and research initiatives that advance professionalism in the commercial real estate industry.
INTERNSHIPS ARE FOR TEACHERS, TOO
Twelve St. Charles County teachers experienced first-hand the skills and abilities required of today’s employees in the work world after participating in a six-week paid internship called the Partners for Progress Fellows Program. The program started June 20 and ended July 29. Teachers received a $2,000 stipend and earned graduate workshop credit through Lindenwood University.
| (Left to right): Deborah Moulton, senior manager of marketing, Quilogy;
Randy Schilling, chairman of Partners for Progress and the president/CEO of Quilogy and
Robbie Chaney, fourth grade teacher at First Baptist Christian Academy of O’Fallon |
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The following teachers were chosen for the internship program:
- Toni Burney, Francis Howell Central High
- Robbie Chaney, O’Fallon First Baptist Academy
- Sandra Czajkowski, Cottleville St. Joseph
- Becky Dickinson, Ft. Zumwalt North High
- Stacie Gates,
St. Charles Jefferson Middle School
- Melissa Hirschbuehler, Ft. Zumwalt Progress South Elementary
- Shane Kapler,
Ft. Zumwalt Emge Elementary
- Angela Mason,
Frances Howell North High
- Beverly Pierce,
Orchard Farm Middle School
- Patricia Will, St. Peter Catholic School
- Kristine Witzel, Duchesne High
- Glennis Ziegler, Duchesne High
Participating teachers are preparing a curriculum project for their classes based on their internship experience. The program is organized by Partners for Progress, a consortium of leading business organizations in St. Charles County.
ST. LOUIS AMERICAN NAMED TOP BLACK NEWSPAPER IN NATION
Donald Suggs, publisher,
The St. Louis American |
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The National Newspaper Publishers Association has named The St. Louis American the top black newspaper in the nation. The newspaper received the John B. Russwurm award as well as first-place awards for the best sports section, best use of photographs and general excellence. Published by Donald Suggs, The St. Louis American has earned the top honor for the fifth time in 10 years. The National Newspaper Publishers Association is a trade organization of more than 200 African-American newspapers.
MARKETING DIRECT WINS AWARDS FOR CAMPAIGNS
Marketing Direct Inc. earned three awards for its performance in the area of overall communications at the 2005 Bronze Quill Awards ceremony sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators. The firm’s entries were in the external communications division.
Marketing Direct’s three-part marketing campaign for Inoveon, a diabetic retinopathy diagnostic technology company, earned an Award of Excellence. The firm earned a Merit Award for its MDI Grille campaign and an Honorable Mention for its BaseMed Health Insurance campaign.
FLEISHMAN WINS SILVER ANVIL AWARDS
Fleishman-Hillard Inc. accepted six Silver Anvil Awards from The Public Relations Society of America for its work in brand
management, marketing consumer products, business services,
public service and integrated
communications.
Fleishman-Hillard won Silver Anvil Awards for its work for DaimlerChrysler, Hallmark Cards, Procter & Gamble, Uniform Code Council Inc., United States Potato Board and Yahoo! Personals. The firm also won five Awards of Excellence for programs that it developed for The Council for Biotechnology Information, Eastman Kodak Company, Holcim Inc., SBC Communications Inc. and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Silver Anvil Awards have been presented annually for more than 50 years to recognize organizations for their exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness in addressing contemporary issues. Winners must incorporate sound research, planning, execution and
evaluation in their programs and must meet high standards of performance in the profession.
The fall exhibition at Laumeier Sculpture Park, titled Public Notice: Paintings in Laumeier Sculpture Park, opens
Oct. 8 and will continue through Jan. 15, 2006. This exhibition will feature 10 original large-scale paintings in the landscape.
Retro, 2002, Joe Amrhein, Enamel and gold leaf on mylar, 12x20x12 feet. |
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LOCAL STUDENTS LEARNED HOW TO BECOME THEIR OWN BOSS
A dozen local high school students spent a week this summer at Saint Louis University’s John Cook School of Business learning about becoming an entrepreneur.
The Jefferson Smurfit Center for Entrepreneurial Studies hosted “Jump-Start Your Independence: Learn to Be Your Own Boss” to guide teens on their path to becoming a business-owner.
The four-and-a-half-day seminar included guest speakers from the business world, a field trip to the Center for Emerging Technologies for a visit with COO Bill Simon, and a business plan competition.
The event was organized by SLU’s Jefferson Smurfit Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and the National Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship (NIYE).
PANGEA NAMED PRIME
CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Pangea Inc. as the winner of the agency’s Region VII Prime Contractor of the Year award. Pangea was one of several small businesses from Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas nominated for the annual award.
“Pangea Inc. received this recognition not just because of their well-deserved
reputation as an on time on budget prime contractor,” stated Sam Jones, administrator of the SBA’s Region VII. “Pangea is also mentoring other minority-owned companies in the construction field. By sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience Pangea is fostering a whole new group of companies that are creating jobs and opportunity in the minority community.”
St. Louis-based Pangea is a construction, restoration and environmental services provider.
FOUNDATION'S FATHERHOOD GRANT INITIATIVE SHOWS SIGNS OF SUCCESS
alled Fathers–A Missing Piece of the Puzzle, the initiative was developed by the Greater Saint Louis Community Foun-dation in 2003 to help support the work of area nonprofits attempting to reconnect nonresident fathers with their children.
David Luckes, CEO,
Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation |
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Foundation CEO David Luckes says in the past fathers have consistently been a missing component from the family agenda. But it’s been shown that with a loving father involved in their lives,
children are much more likely to do well in school, have a healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy and criminal activity.
“Part of the problem has been that much of our human services infrastructure is built around mom. But if you can just get dad paying child support, you can get enough truce between the parents so dad can watch the kids, and mom can have a break,” Luckes says. “In other words, you get stability in a family that leads to a much better outcome for the kids.”
Another problem according to Luckes is that quite often fathers are vilified in the human services infrastructure. And although in some cases this may be understandable, it’s not always a true picture.
“The core of the Foundation’s initiative is the fact that the majority of people think
that a lot of these men are ‘deadbeat
dads,’” he explains. “The reality is many want to be involved with their kids, but the
hurtles are substantial, especially for someone facing social and economic challenges. Often they are dead broke and then there
are custody and legal problems to contend with. But we’re starting to see some real results.”
Linda Aitch, director of community investment who manages the Fatherhood Initiative, says since it began some incredible success stories have emerged.
“We have one example of a father who was homeless and whose kids were going into the foster care system. He now not only has a job and a home, but has custody of his children,” she says. “And another is not only involved with his children, but now works for the agency that helped him and is working toward a master’s degree in college. The list just goes on.”
According to Luckes, the accountability
factor is something that
hasn’t really been developed much with fathers. “These programs, however, are showing us that there are some real opportunities that just may increase the chances that these dads will reengage with their kids
and provide support, both
financially and emotionally,” he says.
Altogether, $600,000 in grant money was awarded by the Foundation to six organizations including Employment Connection, Fathers’ Support Center, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, Neighborhood Houses,
St. Louis Public Schools Parenting Partnership, and Youth in Need. These six represent a wide range of program methodologies and strategies such as job training, placement and coaching; budgeting and financial planning; negotiating child support payments; and parenting and relationship skills. The Fatherhood Initiative which began July 1, 2003 runs through June 30, 2006.
STANDING PARTNERSHIP EXPANDS TO PORTLAND
Public relations firm Standing Partnership has opened an office in Portland, Ore., that is being headed up by St. Louis staffer Ann Smith. Smith relocated to Portland and continues to serve existing Standing Partnership clients while pursuing local opportunities.
Cathy Dunkin,
president and CEO,
Standing Partnership |
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“Not only will we be able to use Ann’s expertise to boost West Coast support for some of our national clients, but this is also an incredible opportunity to grow beyond the Midwest,” states Cathy Dunkin, the firm’s president and CEO.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
RECEIVES METLIFE FOUNDATION GRANTS
MetLife Foundation has awarded a second round of grants to 19 local Junior Achievement operations to launch or expand after-school programs and increase financial literacy among the country’s young people. The grants range from $5,000 to $15,000. Junior Achievement of Mississippi Valley in Chesterfield, Mo., received a $15,000 grant.
The funds are part of the MetLife Foundation After-School Fund, a three-year, $600,000 initiative to establish new after-school partnerships, strengthen local funding sources, and reach more economically disadvantaged children.
CITY CHILDREN EXPERIENCE
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Approximately 60 underprivileged
children from the City of St. Louis experienced the great outdoors and learned more about nature through a variety of
outdoor programs sponsored by the
Youth Technology and Education Center and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
“We’re delighted to offer these children an opportunity to learn more about nature and expose them to outdoor programs they would not otherwise have a chance to participate in,” states Bill Kent Jr., who manages the program. “They will learn about native plants and get lessons in
fishing and archery. Additionally, activities will incorporate practical uses of math
and science.”
FIRST BANK RAISES MORE THAN $100,000 DURING 2005 HEART WALK CAMPAIGN
First Bank employees raised $111,300 during the 2005 American Heart Association’s Heart Walk campaign. The event culminated with the annual Heart Walk in Forest Park and at Frontier Park in St. Charles. The Heart Walk is a signature fund-raising event for the American Heart Association that
promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun
family environment.
| (Left to right): First Bank President and CEO Terry McCarthy, Brandon Watson 2005 Greater St. Louis Division’s Heart Walk Ambassador and Wayne Henson, senior vice president, First Bank. |
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First Bank employees walked in the event, sold hearts,
collected donations and served as the Bank Day sponsor for the Heart Walk. More than 75 First Bank offices in Missouri and Illinois participated in the event, and the bank also made a
company donation.
REGIONAL EXECUTIVES SEE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS CONDITIONS
An overwhelming majority of executives responding to an annual
survey by the Civic Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) and by the RCGA said they expect to expand their operations and their labor force over the next 12 months. Also, for the second consecutive year, executives
indicated that business conditions in the
St. Louis metropolitan area have improved from the previous year. The improvements appear to be broad-based, judging from the 124 executives who participated.
According to 84 percent of the respondents, business conditions are appreciably stronger than a year ago. This percentage was
essentially unchanged from last year’s upbeat assessment, which was the most optimistic assessment in at least five years. Economic conditions appear to have improved the most in the manufacturing, consulting, business services, finance, agriculture and natural resources, and public utility and energy
industries.
| Mike Jensen |
| Ben Stein |
| Alan Beaulieu |
| Susan M. Byrne |
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Nearly two-thirds of the executives report that they plan to expand their operations
during the next 12 months, which is slightly higher than last year’s findings. Expansion sentiments were cited most by executives in the manufacturing, and real estate and lodging industries. Regarding the labor force, 72
percent plan to hire more employees during the next 12 months, an increase of seven
percentage points from a year earlier. In this vein, a little more than two-thirds of the respondents reported that there is an
adequately trained work force in the St. Louis area to meet this demand.
Respondents were a bit more evenly split when asked about their profit prospects over the next year. A little more than 50 percent of the executives believe that their profits will increase by more than 10 percent over the next 12 months, while 47 percent thought
otherwise. Profit prospects appear the
brightest in the consulting, and real estate and lodging industries, although manufacturers, retail and wholesale trade, and construction companies were also noticeably upbeat.
A little more than half of the executives expect to see improved credit market conditions over the next 12 months. This response is down about 10 percentage points from last year’s forecast report. Respondents from the finance and business services were generally the most optimistic. By contrast, executives from the construction and consulting industries tended to be much less optimistic. By 53 to 40 percent, the executives did not believe that the St. Louis-area commercial and industrial real estate sector was overbuilt. And
St. Louis executives do not believe that home prices in the St. Louis area have risen to unsustainable levels.
Turning to the national outlook, the executives predict continued solid economic growth, relatively low unemployment and, perhaps, only a minor upward drift in long-term interest rates. They also expect inflation to accelerate modestly over the next 12 months and for the Federal Reserve to continue to raise its target interest rate. Executives expect only a slight increase in stock prices over the coming year.
Local economic development agencies received higher marks this year from the respondents. Sixty-four percent of the executives believe that the efforts of local economic development organizations are generally effective. This percentage was up about six percentage points from last year. As a place to do business, the St. Louis area also received higher marks this year. Seventy-one percent believe that the region offers important advantages for their company, also a gain of six percentage points from last year.
“This year’s survey reflects what many of our business leaders have been saying, that the St. Louis metropolitan area’s economic climate continues to foster business growth,” said Allen F. Hauge, president of the Civic Entrepreneurs Organization and group chairman, TEC International.
Richard C. D. Fleming, president and CEO of RCGA, said the planned expansions in area business operations and in the labor force bode well for the regional economy. “The region is supporting new and expanding businesses because of the positive business and entrepreneurial climate. We will continue economic development efforts aimed at enhancing this climate and building on the area’s advantages for conducting commerce,” he said.
Full findings of this annual survey are available at the CEO’s web site at: www.ceo-stlouis.org and they will be
provided at the CEO’s 18th annual
Economic Forecast Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Renaissance Grand Hotel downtown. Reservations are available by calling CEO at (314) 615-8283 or through the organization’s web site.
Nationally known CEO Economic Forecast speakers include:
Mike Jensen, moderator; former Emmy-winning NBC News chief financial
correspondent. Named by TV Guide as the “best economic/business correspondent in America,” Jensen is also a former financial reporter for The New York Times.
Ben Stein, economist, award-winning actor, writer, journalist, lawyer and teacher. Stein is a famous humorous teacher about economics and law.
Alan Beaulieu, economist with the Institute for Trend Research. Beaulieu has been engaged in applied research
regarding business cycle trend analysis, growth cycle trend analysis, and the
utilization of cyclical analysis at a practical business level.
Susan M. Byrne, founder, chairman and CEO of Westwood Management Corp. Byrne is a registered investment advisor with the firm she founded in 1983 and serves a variety of institutional clients, such as corporate pension funds,
religious organizations, endowments
and foundations.
HOK WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR COMMUNITY IN INDIA
The first phase of a master-planned Hill Station community designed by The HOK Planning Group in Maharashtra, India, was one of 14 projects honored with a 2005 Charter Award by the Congress for New Urbanism. Designed on 8,000 acres in the Mose Valley, Dasve Village was one of five projects honored under the category of The Region: Metropolis, City, and Town. A jury of international design professionals and
academics selected the winners from among 136 submissions.
| Designed on 8,000 acres in the Mose Valley, Dasve Village was one of five projects honored. |
The smaller rendering shows a hotel and office building
in the village |
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Currently under construction, the community is one of five primary villages proposed along the banks of Warasgon Lake, east of Bombay and near the city of Pune. The Charter Awards program recognizes distinguished professional and academic design achievements that fulfill and advance the principles of the Charter of New Urbanism, which defines the qualities of coherent, urban places.
MORTGAGE FIRM EARNS BEST OVERALL COMPANY AWARD
| Deanna Daughhetee Vinson, president
and CEO, American Equity Mortgage. |
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St. Louis-based American Equity Mortgage was named the Best Overall Company with up to 2,500 employees at the third annual American Business Awards. American Equity Mortgage and Budco of Highland Park, Mich., were selected from 19 finalists to win their category.
More than 1,200 nominations from companies of all sizes and various industries were submitted for consideration in more than 40 categories. Nicknamed the “Stevies” for the Greek work “crowned,” the awards were presented during a ceremony hosted by CNN personality Ali Velshi and broadcast nationwide on radio. The American Business Awards are part of a national business awards program that honors great performances in the workplace.
MISSOURI STUDENTS EARN BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIPS FROM NFIB ENTREPRENEUR
FOUNDATION
Twenty Missouri students have earned $1,000 each in tuition assistance from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation to attend the university, college or vocational/ technical institutes of their choice. Local winners include John Krebsbach Jr. of Ballwin; Adrienne Welch of Festus; Matthew Brimer of St. Louis; and Tracy Walker of St. Peters.
Created in 2003, the NFIB Free Enterprise Scholars Awards are intended to set future small-business owners on the path to entrepreneurship with tuition assistance. This year, the foundation is awarding a total of 381 scholarships, thanks to additional financial support from numerous small-business leaders and corporate supporters. The major corporate sponsor is Visa USA, which donated $100,000 to the national program for scholarships across the country.
SHAPING THE MINDS AND BODIES OF STUDENTS
Colleges and universities are more competitive than ever in attracting and retaining students. Hastings & Chivetta Architects Inc. knows this all to well after designing more than 160 collegiate recreation facilities. To keep their beds filled, schools are spending more for cutting-edge, state-of-the-art student life facilities that are not only wowing students, but are setting the standards for their competition.
| New Student Recreation Complex at the University of Missouri-Columbia |
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The recently completed Student Recreation Complex at the University of Missouri-Columbia is like no other. With more than 286,000 square feet, the facility boasts MU Tiger pride throughout its décor and themed recreation spaces. The aquatic center is complete with a 50-meter competitive pool and 10-meter diving well and leisure areas known as Tiger Grotto and Truman’s Pond. These spaces include a hearth fireplace, bubble pool, waterfall, plasma screens, steam room, sauna, deck overhangs, and a lazy river. A heated, outdoor pool has plenty of space for sunbathers, and a fireplace for cool nights.
The fitness center provides nearly 20,000 square feet of space including top-of-the-line cardio-equipment with built-in DVDs and the latest weight-training machines in the Jungle Gym, free weights in the Pump Room, and there are rooms for yoga, Pilates, and aerobics. The Tiger’s Lair offers spinning classes and a nightclub. Tiger Training, a
personal training service, provides extra workout attention. Other amenities feature locker rooms with lounges and laundry
service. There’s even a salon offering facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures.
“Today’s sophisticated students are accustomed to the comforts of home, and amenities can tip the scales when a student decides where to go to school. So colleges and universities see their campus facilities as important marketing tools. The MU Student Recreation Complex is an example of providing a distinctive, cutting-edge
environment that responds to our current student generation. The themed recreation center involved the study of mall concepts and other environments students feel
comfortable and at home. The recreation center has become the gathering place where students can socialize, recreate, and relieve academic stress,” says Chris Chivetta, president of Hastings & Chivetta Architects.
Research suggests that by improving the campus learning environment, students are more likely to perform well in conditions that are conducive to learning. What’s more, colleges and universities that provide these kinds of environments tend to be more successful in ultimately attracting and retaining students.
Stephanie Morris, a sophomore at Mizzou says, “Students love it. It’s awesome, fun, and so cool. I love the energy in all the spaces and the great fitness facilities. It’s the hottest thing on campus.”
ASYNCHRONY SOLUTIONS FORMS HUBZONE COMPANY
Asynchrony Solutions Inc. has started a new information technology company, Asynchrony HUBZone LLC, that will participate in the government’s HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program. Located in downtown St. Louis, Asynchrony HUBZone will serve as a vehicle for government agencies and large businesses to fulfill their federal requirements to contract a percentage of their work with HUBZone companies.
Created in 1997, the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program is designed to increase employment opportunities and stimulate economic development and capital investment in distressed communities. The program provides preferences for federal contracting awards to qualified small businesses owned by U.S. citizens whose primary office and at least 35 percent of its employees are located in a HUBZone. Each federal agency is required to conduct three percent of its annual business with HUBZone companies.
“Asynchrony HUBZone will allow us to
further service our Department of Defense clients by helping them meet their federal requirement to conduct business with small companies located in a HUBZone,” states Steve Elfanbaum, president of Asynchrony Solutions. “Furthermore, we’re helping the local economy by offering employment to skilled residents living in an underutilized area. It’s a win-win for the City of St. Louis and small business.”
DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS
HAMPTON INN RANKS HIGH FOR TOTAL QUALITY
The Hampton Inn St. Louis-Downtown
(at the Gateway Arch) has announced that the hotel achieved top national ranking for its Total Quality Score among Hampton Inn hotels. The Hampton Inn St. Louis-Downtown has been rated No. 53 out of 1,300 Hampton Inn hotels worldwide, which places the
property in the top five percent of the chain.
$4 MILLION TO HELP LOW-INCOME BORROWERS STAY IN SCHOOL
The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) has announced a program to encourage eligible 2004-2005 college freshmen to stay in school by forgiving up to $550 of their student loan debt. Through this one-time program, MOHELA will provide more than $4,000,000 in financial aid to students this year.
The announcement comes on the heels of July 1 increase in federal
student loan rates.
MOHELA is able to offer this benefit because of the lower cost of funds it incurs by using its tax-exempt bond authority granted by the State.
MOHELA’s investment in higher education will bring economic benefits to individuals and to Missouri by helping keep our students in school.
Through this initiative, MOHELA will forgive portions of almost 8,000 loans obtained by students who are recipients of a federal Pell Grant.
The MOHELA program also saves the federal government money by reducing the portion of these loans that are subsidized. The federal
government pays interest on the outstanding balance of these loans while the student is in school and during the six-month grace period following graduation. The reduction of principal owed on these loans reduces interest payments due on the loans.
PIONEERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE KIND
LEWIS AND CLARK STATESMAN AWARD 2005
The RCGA honored the Missouri and Illinois legislatures for their work to improve our region’s economy and community with its Lewis and Clark Statesman Awards at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center on Aug. 23. Selected by the RCGA Public Policy Council, this year’s winners were recognized for tort reform and workers compensation reform in Missouri, and medical malpractice reform in Illinois. In addition, area legislators championed issues of education funding, economic development, healthcare, transportation,
life sciences research, and center city
revitalization.
Front row (left to right): Rep. Sam Page, Rep. Rodney R. Hubbard, Rep. Robin Wright-Jones, Sen. Chuck Gross, Sen. John Loudon, Sen. Jon Dolan, David Glaser
Middle row (left to right): Rep. Fred Kratky, Rep. Patricia Yaeger, Rep. Kathlyn Fares, Rep. Neal St. Onge, Rep. Margaret Donnelly
Back row (left to right): Frank Miles (accepting for U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello), Larry Stammer (accepting for Rep. Tom Holbrook), Sen. John Griesheimer, Rep. Tom Villa, Sen. Michael R. Gibbons, Rep. Carl Bearden, Rep. Dan Beiser and Rep. Jay Hoffman. |
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U.S. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond (MO) and U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (IL) were recognized for their leadership on behalf of the region’s federal legislative agenda. And David Glaser, chief financial officer of the Rockwood School District received a special recognition award for assisting and guiding the St. Louis business community on the K-12 school funding legislation.
| (Left to right): David Glaser, Rockwood School District and Steve Hoven, SSM Health Care. |
| (Left to right): Tom Barta, Fred Weber Inc. and
Sen. Michael R. Gibbons (MO). |
| (Left to right): Bruce Holland, Holland Construction Services and
Rep. Jay Hoffman (IL). |
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2005 Recipients of the RCGA’s Annual Lewis and Clark Statesman Award
Rep. Carl Bearden (MO)
Sen. John Griesheimer (MO)
Sen. John Loudon (MO)
Rep. Dan Beiser (IL)
Sen. Chuck Gross (MO)
Rep. Sam Page (MO)
Rep. Richard Byrd (MO)*
Rep. Jay Hoffman (IL)
Rep. Ron Richard (MO)
Sen. James Clayborne (IL)
Rep. Tom Holbrook (IL)
Rep. Neal St. Onge (MO)
Sen. Maida Coleman (MO)
Rep. Rodney Hubbard (MO)
Sen. Charlie Shields (MO)
Rep. Tom Dempsey (MO)
Rep. Steve Hunter (MO)
Rep. Jodi Stefanick (MO)
Sen. Jon Dolan (MO)
Rep. Rod Jetton (MO)
Rep. Tom Villa (MO)
Rep. Margaret Donnelly (MO)
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder (MO)
Sen. Frank Watson (IL)
Rep. Kathlyn Fares (MO)
Rep. Fred Kratky (MO)
Rep. Robin Wright-Jones (MO)
Sen. Michael R. Gibbons (MO)
Rep. Brad Lager (MO)
Rep. Patricia Yaeger (MO)
*posthumously |
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