JANUARY 2021 Volume 19 | Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE RiverBend Growth Association Names Rister’s Small Business of the Month Automotive as Small Business of the Month • Rister’s Automotive & Transmissions The RiverBend Growth sets us off on a great 2021 each month. Winners Association has named versus the year we just went are selected based on a Young Adults Committee Rister’s Automotive its Small through. This recognition is scoring system that awards Learns about Kreative Kids Business of the Month for a testament to our customer points for number of years RBGA Members in the News January 2021. base and the quality of in business, number of • Lewis and Clark Established in 1991 workmanship that we do employees, overcoming Community College by Duane Rister, it is here.” adversity and community a family owned and service. operated automotive and Rister’s transmission repair shop Automotive is a in Alton, IL. They offer NAPA AutoCare complete maintenance Center that and repair on all vehicles specializes in in a timely and effective the following manner. Rister’s is the home services: oil of ASE-Certified Technicians changes, brakes, that promise your car or suspension, A/C truck is in great hands. With and heating 28 years in the business systems, and free 27-point safety transmission inspections, it is no surprise diagnosis & that they have been so repair just to name a few. Rister’s Automotive successful. The RiverBend Growth 1322 Milton Rd Association congratulates Alton, IL 62002 Co-Owner Candy Rister Rister’s Automotive as its Hours are Monday commented, January 2021 Small Business through Friday from 8:00 “We are honored to be of the Month Winner. a.m. to 5:00 p.m. chosen as RBGA’s Small The RiverBend Growth 618-465-5591 Business of the Month for Association selects a www.ristersauto.com January 2021. We hope this small business to honor

Hear an interview with the owner at Do you know a small https://growthassociation.com/lets-talk/ business worthy of this honor? Nominate them by RiverBend Growth Association using the form on this page 5800 Godfrey Road - BGM 6722 Godfrey Road - https://growthassociation. Godfrey IL 62035 com/recognition-awards/. (618) 467-2280

GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE January 2021 | page 1 Meet our Leaders for 2021.

CHAIRMAN PAST CHAIRMAN TREASURER CHAIRMAN ELECT

Jeff Lauritzen Alan Meyer Brad Goacher Mike Fitzgerald COUNTRY Financial® Scheffel Boyle 1st MidAmerica Credit Union Alton Memorial Hospital

Lori Artis John Barnerd Tom Berry Jake Bodi Megan Brodnax Kim Clark Doug Cobb Lewis and Clark Simmons Hanly Jackson Lewis Ameren Phillips 66 Wood City of Alton Carpenters Local Comm. College Conroy P.C. River Refinery 664

Mark Haggard Pam Heepke Cody Hinkle Jennifer Jackson Tim Kuebrich Eric McRoy David Miller CNB Bank & Heepke Farms Piasa Body Art Helmkamp Lake Drive AdVantage St. Louis Trust, N.A. Construction Logistics Regional Airport

Dr. Stephanie Jim Rankin John Roberts James Rogalsky Jerry Rumph Dan St. Peters Bernie Sebold Monroe West Star Roberts Motors Old Bakery Beer OSF HealthCare St. Peters Illinois American River Bend Aviation Saint Anthony’s Hardware & Water Chiropractic Health Center Rental

Terry Jim Shrader Denise Matt Waters Dwight Werts Karen Wilson Denise Wolff Augie Shewmake Consultant VonderHaar Liberty Bank Werts Welding & State Farm Berkshire Wuellner IBEW Local The Telegraph Tank Service Hathaway Home Alton Securities 649 Services Elite & Asset Advisors Properties GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE January 2021 | page 2 Remarks from our Outgoing Remarks from Incoming Chairman Chairman

Reflecting on the past I am honored to be year as RBGA Chairman, selected as the Chairman it’s clear to me that of the RiverBend Growth God had a plan when Association in 2021. This a healthcare leader a great organization that was chosen to guide has a lot to offer our the organization in community. 2020. The COVID 19 I have been a part of the pandemic brought an Brad Goacher RBGA since 2003 when I enormous challenge to moved to the RiverBend Jeff Lauritzen the Growth Association, sponsorship dollars area. This organization were canceled they got an organization built on to virtual events that has allowed me to meet a networking through new included updates from creative and figured out lot of great people, learn how we could all stay business promotion, Mayors, a healthcare about the community and business education, and leader roundtable, and connected. We can still become more involved. meet for coffee virtually research and promotion a series of Community As they say, “You get out of its members. Conversations or even have a glass of of an organization what wine in the afternoon. It’s been amazing to centered on diversity you put into it”. work with the incredibly and inclusion. The They set up a Facebook I would like to thank our group that helped talented staff at the LeadHership seminar outgoing Chairman Brad RBGA (John, Trish, exceeded our promote the community Goacher for his leadership restaurants. They Debbie, Stefanie, and expectations being in 2020. His knowledge Alex, who recently left held virtually. All of created a forum to have and insight from the community conversations to work with the family these events are clear medical perspective have business). They’ve been indications of what on diversity and inclusion. been invaluable as we Most of all they were nimble throughout the I already knew: The navigated through the pandemic, adjusting as RiverBend community able to pull together an COVID 19 pandemic. I also unbelievable LeadHership needed to reach our rises up when faced with would like to thank the members in new and a challenge and comes seminar virtually! They 2020 board of directors didn’t miss a beat and different ways. They together to support each for their input and have become experts other. worked as a team. guidance this past year as I can’t wait to see what at Zoom meetings While we are certainly we had to learn new ways hosting the monthly not in the clear in we can come up with this to hold meetings. year. I am optimistic we networking meetings. regards to the pandemic, I look forward to We added programming I’m proud to say I am will be able to get back working with the excellent together in person at connecting small part of such a resilient team of the RBGA. They businesses with updates organization that has some point this year and all stepped up last year in network like we have in from government members that truly care the wake of uncertainty leaders, health experts about all businesses the past. Please continue and learning how to do to shop local and support and educators while in the RiverBend business differently. As providing resources area. I look forward to our local businesses and our in-person activities restaurants. It is more about Covid and PPP continuing this work as and networking meetings loan processes via our a member of the RBGA important than ever. social media and other Board and welcome communication avenues. Jeff Lauritzen as the I’ve also been humbled Chairman for 2021. I to see the response of look forward to a time the board members, in the near future when ambassadors, members we can gather and and the public to reflect on our collective support events in 2020. accomplishments during Businesses shifted their such a challenging year.

GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE January 2021 | page 3 Welcome to our newest Board of Directors members

Jake Bodi, a lifelong resident of the James and his wife, Lauren own Riverbend area, is currently Superintendent and operate The Old Bakery Beer of Business Administration & Customer Company in downtown Alton. When Service for Ameren Illinois, and holds a not at the brewery, James loves B.A. Degree in Chemistry from St. Louis to spend time with his young son University. He has worked in the electric, Jake Bodi Murray and getting his hands dirty in gas, and customer service industry at Ameren since 2000, covering areas James the garden. Cheers! including: contact center, field operations, business Rogalsky administration, payroll, direct customer service, business process design, organizational impact, training, and Smart Meter deployment and implementation. Jerry Rumph, FACHE, is President Jake currently resides in Godfrey, with his wife, of OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Natalie. They both enjoy spending time with their children, Health Center. As president, Jerry cooking, and visiting new places in their free time. is accountable for leading OSF Saint Anthony’s and to ensure the Jim Rankin joined West Star Aviation in organization operates in a fiscally May 2018 as Chief Executive Officer. He responsible manner. He oversees is a highly experienced aviation industry Jerry Rumph the day-to-day operations of OSF executive who brings a strong background Saint Anthony’s and sets the annual in general management, complemented by operations plan, as well as executes a regional a strong grounding in operations leadership. Jim Rankin management plan for the facility. Jerry is establishing a Jim has deep experience in negotiating culture of collaboration that enhances the delivery of and structuring win-win business service excellent patient care and a safe Mission Partner and agreements across multiple contexts. patient care environment. Jim began his career in aviation as a pilot flying for Jerry joins OSF from Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Midwest Airlines accruing over 11,000 flight hours. He held located in St. Louis, where he served as chief executive positions as Chief Pilot and Director of Operations before being named President & Chief Executive Officer at Skyway officer. He also has served in a variety of leadership Airlines, a regional airline subsidiary of Midwest Airlines, positions with SSM Health throughout his career. in 2000. He then accepted the President & CEO position at Jerry completed his Bachelor of Science in biology at Air Wisconsin Airlines, a 70-aircraft American Eagle carrier, University in De Kalb. He went on to in 2006 and most recently, he was the President & CEO of earn his master’s in health care administration from Oregon-based Columbia Helicopters. Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Jim received his Master of Business Administration Jerry is married to Peggy. They are the parents of degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois Nathan, Kyle, Katelyn, and Briannah. They are the and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management grandparents of Jackson, Peyton and Jameson. In his from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. spare time, Jerry enjoys painting and spending time with For seven consecutive years, West Star Aviation has been his grandchildren. voted by our customers as the #1 MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility) in the United States by Professional Pilot Magazine.

Upcoming Events 1/28 Non-Profit Roundtable 10:00 a.m. 2/10 Let’s Do (Virtual) Lunch 12:30 p.m. 2/16 LET’S TALK show WBGZ 10:00 a.m. 2/18 Community Conversations on Diversity and Inclusion 1:00 p.m. 2/25 Non-Profit Roundtable 10:00 a.m. All members are invited! Visit our website calendar for event details rbga.org

GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE January 2021 | page 4 RBGA Young Adults Committee Learn about Kreative Kids Learning Center

When we take a closer look be based on his 22 years of models for us. We think we’re at the heart of any healthy experience of managing and the role models for them, but community, the most frequent being involved in Kreative Kids. they get life. They love to play, component happens to be in they’re full of energy, and childcare. We ask ourselves, “When we look at infants, that’s what I love about my what better way to better our lots of people think, ‘Well, job… No one understands life community than by teaching childcare is just babysitting’, better than a four-year old,” and nurturing the next but, it’s far from that. We are ~Keith Neuber. generation of citizens? a developmental daycare...all community, by supporting this of our children are assessed By just glancing at Kreative organization and ones like it. This is exactly what Keith for their developmental level Kids and the work they do, Neuber does in his mission to functioning and every child has it is evident how much joy The RiverBend Growth better the next generation. a plan to help them develop and widespread community Association Young Adults 51 years ago in 1970, Alton the necessary skills in order to outreach they have and the Committee has representatives Daycare was founded to better be an effective young person” impact it makes on people. from Roxana, East Alton-Wood the lives of children and their ~Keith Neuber. Their dedication to their River, Marquette, Bethalto, families by providing a safe mission of bettering the and Alton High Schools. The space for children to learn and To do this, a strong team development of infants and committee is designed to help grow as their families deal with of hardworking employees adolescents is inspiring. students learn leadership in the hustle and bustle of life. is vital. With an average of their community. Today, although the name has 15 or more years of service “Children always come first,” changed, the same standards to the program, people who ~Keith Neuber. Article written by Civic of developmental daycare still volunteer at Kreative Kids truly Memorial High School stand. Kreative Kids utilizes its have an understanding of how Truly, this nonprofit is a clear students on the Young Adults 22 vital employees to engage important early childhood example of how a group of Committee and nurture kids in their education is and how vital it is people can affect the lives of -Abbi Geiger, Ethan Scott, everyday lives. Keith Neuber to the community. so many others around them. Allie Lively, Kennedy Bickmore understands how important If we can all recognize this, we the nurturing of children can “Children are kind of role too can make an impact on our

GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE January 2021 | page 5 RiverBend Growth L&C Truck Driver Training Association’s 2020 In Review Promises a Road to a Comfortable Career Of all the roadmaps inexperienced drivers. I think to a reliable, well-paying that says something about the career, Lewis and Clark quality of our program.” Community College’s Truck In addition to offering on- Driver Training program could the-road experience with most be described as an expressway any size or type of truck on the of sorts. road, L&C’s program has one Since it launched in Fall high-tech learning tool a few 2014, 86 percent of program other programs don’t – a fully graduates almost immediately simulated cab. landed a job in the industry, L&C Truck Driver Program according to Program Trainer Joe Turner says the Coordinator Kent Ripperda. Of simulator is a big advantage in the remaining 14 percent, over getting inexperienced drivers half of those graduates went on quickly up to speed. Some to further their education in the students who join the class are field. not accustomed to commercial The jobs waiting to be filled vehicles. come with a good paycheck, “Some of our students have too. never even driven a manual Data from the U.S. transmission before,” Turner Department of Labor shows said. “In those cases, the that the median salary for simulator lets students practice light truck or delivery service shifting without being under drivers is $38,394. For heavy any pressure. It also saves and tractor-trailer truck drivers, some wear and tear on our it’s $49,145. However, Ripperda transmissions. In addition, it said he’s spoken to recent helps them hone their skills in graduates who started out situations that can’t always be closer to $55,000 in salary. practiced in real-life training. “Anyone who graduates our Another aspect of L&C’s Truck program can find a job that Driver Training is a culture of starts out at a salary around inclusiveness. $50,000,” said Ripperda. “I think “We have students from all that’s a great payback relative walks of life,” Ripperda said. to the cost of our program, “We have men, women, young which is right around $3,500 people just starting out, middle- for the eight-week program, aged people looking for a career and $3,650 for the 16-week change and retirees wanting to program.” re-enter the work force. There Job placement is a core focus are plenty of truck driving jobs for L&C’s program, he added. where you can be home daily or “We work extensively if you prefer, you can travel and with recruiters in the area see the country. We even have to make sure our students people who have never driven land the best job they can a stick shift before, backed a Watch the 2020 video at after they’re finished here,” trailer or been in a truck this Ripperda said. “We have great size and they come out of the https://youtu.be/u8rl1oLxGLc. relationships with some of the program ready to go to work.” larger companies in the area For more information on Lewis like XPO Logistics and Central and Clark Community College’s Transport, both out of St. Louis Truck Driver Training Program, and Schneider National, which visit www.lc.edu/program/ has a terminal in our area. truckdrivertraining/ or contact Several companies who hire our Ripperda at (618) 468-5797 graduates normally do not hire or [email protected].

GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE January 2021 | page 6