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Business and Member recognitions and Awards Small Business of the Month Award
The Growth Association developed the award to recognize and honor the many contributions that small businesses make to the region. Nominees are scored for their community service, economic contributions, innovative product and services, response to adversity and appearance or image of business. Nominees need not be Growth Association members; however, members are given bonus points. Each month one business is selected as Small Business of the Month. One of the twelve that year is selected, based on total points, as the Small Business of the Year. The monthly winners receive more than $3,000 in publicity. The yearly award is presented at the Annual Dinner. Many of the past recipients have also won State and National awards.
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
 December 2009
Budget Signs, Trophies & Plaques
Telegraph article
November 2009 
 Alton Square Mall
Telegraph article
October 2009
Andy's Auto Body and Car Care
Telegraph article
 September 2009
Healing Touch Wellness Center
Telegraph article
August 2009
The More Corner
Telegraph article
 July 2009
Alfie's
Telegraph article
June 2009
 Baxter Distributing Co. Inc.
Telegraph article
 May 2009 Lyons Glass Co.
Telegraph article
April 2009
Triangle H Farm
Telegraph article
March 2009
Direct Floors
Telegraph article
 February 2009
P.J.'s Professional Cleaning
Telegraph article
 January 2009 
Hendrickson Collision Repair, Inc.
2008 Small Business of the Year
Dentistry with TLC
 December 2008 Small Business of the Month   The Grapevine 
November 2008 Small Business of the Month   Illinois Business Journal 
October 2008 Small Business of the Month    Be Well Now
Sept. 2008 Small Business of the Month    Gebbs Total Video
August 2008 Small Business of the Month    Jim Murphy's Complete Landscaping
July 2008 Small Business of the Month   Quality Pontiac GMC Cadillac Buick
June 2008 Small Business of the Month Agha Designs, Inc.
May 2008 Small Business of the Month Dentistry with TLC
April 2008 Small Business of the Month Waltco Tools
March 2008 Small Business of the Month Berger Automotive
February 2008 Small Business of the Month Backyard Dreams, Inc.
January 2008 Small Business of the Month Moonlight Restaurant
2007 Small Business of the Year Imo's Pizza in Godfrey and Bethalto
December 2007 Small Business of the Month Bossanova
November 2007 Small Business of the Month Bethalto Glass
October 2007 Small Business of the Month Sign Magic
September 2007 Small Business of the Month Slayden Glass, Inc.
August 2007 Small Business of the Month Saale Bros. Appliance Co.
July 2007 Small Business of the Month Robert Sanders Waste Systems Inc.
June 2007 Small Business of the Month Grafton Technologies Inc.
May 2007 Small Business of the Month   Dugger Pools
April 2007 Small Business of the Month  Ted's Motorcycle World 
March 2007 Small Business of the Month   Imo's Pizza - Godfrey
February 2007 Small Business of the Month  Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home 
 January 2007 Small Business of the Month Alton Winnelson 
2006 Small Business of the Year My Just Desserts
January 2006 Small Business of the Month McConahey's Flowers
February 2006 Small Business of the Month My Just Desserts
March 2006 Small Business of the Month Answer Midwest
April 2006 Small Business of the Month Season's Garden Center by White's
May 2006 Small Business of the Month Woodman Collision Center
June 2006 Small Business of the Month Alton Winlectric Co
July 2006 Small Business of the Month Cherry Hills Properties
August 2006 Small Business of the Month Magnolias
September 2006 Small Business of the Month RF Technologies
October 2006 Small Business of the Month Jerseyville Carpet & Furniture Galleries
November 2006 Small Business of the Month Langa Resource Group
December 2006 Small Business of the Month Today's Beauty Supply
2005 Small Business of the Year Schiber Truck Company, Inc.
January 2005 Small Business of the Month Beverly Farm Foundation
February 2005 Small Business of the Month McBride's Printing
March 2005 Small Business of the Month Schiber Trucking
April 2005 Small Business of the Month Safety Partners
May 2005 Small Business of the Month Gateway Rehabilitation
June 2005 Small Business of the Month Stock Auto Body
July 2005 Small Business of the Month King Louie's Drive In
August 2005 Small Business of the Month Bowers Towing
September 2005 Small Business of the Month Roma's Pizza
October 2005 Small Business of the Month Bryant Enterprises
November 2005 Small Business of the Month Corrective Asphalt Material
December 2005 Small Business of the Month Glik's
2004 Small Business of the Year Wells-Hauck Tire & Auto Center
January 2004 Small Business of the Month Midwest Properties
February 2004 Small Business of the Month Heitz Optical
March 2004 Small Business of the Month Schutz Tomboy
April 2004 Small Business of the Month Barrett Heating & Cooling
May 2004 Small Business of the Month Schwartzkopf Printing
June 2004 Small Business of the Month Smit's Flower Shop
July 2004 Small Business of the Month St. Peters Hardware
August 2004 Small Business of the Month The Cream Machine
September 2004 Small Business of the Month Wells Hauck Tire & Auto Center
October 2004 Small Business of the Month Schwegels
November 2004 Small Business of the Month Cleary's Shoes & Boots
December 2004 Small Business of the Month Budget Signs & Trophies
2003 Small Business of the Year Fischer Lumber Co.
January 2003 Small Business of the Month Frank McAtee & Associates
February 2003 Small Business of the Month TR's Café
March 2003 Small Business of the Month Rolling Hills Golf Course
April 2003 Small Business of the Month Wood River Ford
May 2003 Small Business of the Month Thomas Oil Co
June 2003 Small Business of the Month Fischer Lumber Co
July 2003 Small Business of the Month Wood River Printing
August 2003 Small Business of the Month Langa Air
September 2003 Small Business of the Month Chez Marilyn/3rd Street Hair Co
October 2003 Small Business of the Month Hit N Run
November 2003 Small Business of the Month Central Electric
December 2003 Small Business of the Month Wood River Bowl
2002 Small Business of the Year Drake Tires Inc.
January 2002 Small Business of the Month All-Pro Office Technology
February 2002 Small Business of the Month Furniture Concepts
March 2002 Small Business of the Month McKay Auto Parts
April 2002 Small Business of the Month Mississippi Mud Pottery
May 2002 Small Business of the Month

Carvers Carry-Out

June 2002 Small Business of the Month Alvareita's College of Cosmetology
July 2002 Small Business of the Month Freer Auto Body
August 2002 Small Business of the Month Drake Tire
September 2002 Small Business of the Month Tara Point Inn
October 2002 Small Business of the Month Dave Mungenast Alton Toyota-Dodge
November 2002 Small Business of the Month ITA Travel
December 2002 Small Business of the Month Adams Development
2001 Small Business of the Year Wood River Ace Hardware
2000 Small Business of the Year Piasa Motor Fuels, Inc.






Click Here To Nominate a business for the Small Business of the Month Award


The Captains of the River Bend Awards were created by the Growth Association to identify and honor the many ways in which local businesses have enhanced the River Bend region. These awards are presented to businesses and individuals that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to government & public enhancement, community service and /or economic enhancement of the region. The awards are presented at the annual State of the River Bend Luncheon.

  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • Archives
Jacoby Arts Center - Community Involvement
Liberty Bank - Community Involvement
Morrissey Construction Company - Community Involvement
The Alton Marina, operated by Parrot Pointe Marine - Government & Public Enhancement
Alton Square Mall - Economic Enhancement
ConocoPhillips Wood River Refinery - Economic Enhancement & Community Involvement
City of Wood River - Economic Enhancement
Village of Bethalto and Mayor Steve Bryant - Community Enhancement
Helmkamp Construction - Community Enhancement and Economic Enhancement
TheBank of Edwardsville - Economic Enhancement and Community Enhancement
Illinois Business Journal - Economic Enhancement
The Telegraph - Economic Enhancement
American Water - Economic Enhancement
Riverbender.com - Community Enhancement
YTB International – Community Enhancement
T.R.'s Café & Banquet Center - Economic Enhancement
Beverly Farm Foundation - Economic Enhancement
Cope Plastics, Inc. - Community Enhancement
Dixon Distributing Company – Community Enhancement & Economic Enhancement
Argosy Gaming - Community Involvement
Olin Corporation - Community Involvement
Alton Memorial Hospital - Economic Enhancement
St. Louis Regional Airport - Government & Public Enhancement
Representative Dan Beiser - Government & Public Enhancement
Olin Community Credit Union - Community Involvement
Freer Auto Body - Community Involvement
Alton Steel Inc - Economic Enhancement
Alton Community Unit School District #11 - Government & Public Enhancement
ConocoPhillips - Community Involvement
Raifort Commerce Park - Economic Enhancement
Saint Clare's Hospital - Economic Enhancement
Liberty Bank - Community Involvement
Village of East Alton - Government Enhancement
Triad Industries-Rick Jones - Public Enhancement
Representative Steve Davis - Public Servant
Clark Properties - Economic Enhancement
Union Planters Bank - Community Involvement
WBGZ Radio - Community Involvement
Godfrey Parks & Recreation Dept. - Government and Public Service
Loading Dock, Inc. - "Phoenix Award" for Economic Enhancement
Premier Air Center Inc. - Economic Enhancement
The Telegraph - Community Enhancement
Telsar - Technology & Public Service
1999 Winners
T.L. Prehn Properties - Economic Enhancement
Central Electric - Community Involvement
City of Alton - Government & Public Service
Challenge Unlimited, Inc.

1998 Winners
Werts Welding & Tank Service, Inc. - Economic Enhancement
First Community Bank of Godfrey - Community Involvement
Lewis and Clark Community College - Government & Public Service
Congressman Jerry Costello, U.S. 12th District

1997 Winners
Mercantile Bank - Economic Enhancement
Alton Memorial Hospital - Community Service

1996 Winners

Saint Anthony's Health Center - Economic Enhancement and Community Service
Shell Oil - Community Service

1995 Winners
Argosy Gaming - Economic Enhancement
Clark Oil - Community Service

1994 Winners
Olin Corporation - Economic Enhancement
Olin Corporation - Community Service


The ambassador committee is one of the most active committees within the organization. They are the public relations arm of the association. Each year, one member is selected as Ambassador of the Year based on his/her activities.

  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
2009 Ambassador of the Year Janae Hausman of Olin Community Credit Union
January Winner
Janae Hausman of Olin Community Credit Union 
February Winner
 Jenny Robison of Shell Community Federal Credit Union
March Winner
Amy Schaake of The Telegraph
April Winner
Amy Schaake of The Telegraph
May Winner
Amy Schaake of The Telegraph
June Winner
Janae Hausman of Olin Community Credit Union
July Winner
Janae Hausman of Olin Community Credit Union
August Winner
Amy Schaake of The Telegraph
September Winner
Gary Hoggatt of National Bank at Edwardsville
October Winner
 Denise Wolff of First Clover Leaf Bank
November Winner
Amy Schaake of The Telegraph
December Winner
Amy Schaake of The Telegraph 
 2008 Ambassador of the Year
Therese Kuddes
December Winner  
Therese Kuddes of Kuddes Advertising Specialties
 November Winner   Therese Kuddes of Kuddes Advertising Specialties 
 October Winner  Dorrie Ball of Kevcor Construction Services
 September Winner  Amy Schaake of Dr. Frank Bemis & Associates
 August Winner  Nancy Baahlmann of Beverly Farm Foundation
July Winner   Janae Hausman of Olin Community Credit Union
 June Winner  Karen McAtee of TheBANK of Edwardsville
May Winner Denise Wolff of Partners Bank
April Winner Gary Hoggatt Jr. of National Bank at Edwardsville
March Winner Therese Kuddes of Kuddes Advertising Specialties
February Winner Brenda Moore of Southern Illinois Real Estate Title Center
January Winner Dorothy Droste
2007 Ambassador of the Year
Gary Hoggatt Jr. of National Bank at Edwardsville
December Winner Karen McAtee of TheBANK of Edwardsville
November Winner Brenda Moore of Southern Il. Real Estate Title Center
October Winner Therese Kuddes of Kuddes Advertising Specialties
September Winner Gary Hoggatt of National Bank at Edwardsville
August Winner Janae Hausman of Olin Community Credit Union
July Winner Denise Wolff of Partners Bank
June Winner Brenda Moore of Southern Il. Real Estate Title Center
May Winner Gwen Baalman of ConocoPhillips Wood River Refinery
 April Winner
Gary Hoggatt of National Bank at Edwardsville
 March Winner
Nancy Baahlmann of Beverly Farm Foundation
 February Winner
Brenda Moore of Southern Illinois Real Estate Title Center
 January Winner
Dorrie Ball of Kevcor Construction Services
2006 Ambassador of the Year
Karen McAtee, TheBANK of Edwardsville
January Winner Dorrie Ball, Kevcor Construction Services
February Winner Char McAllister, Girl Scouts of River Bluffs Council
March Winner Brenda Moore, Premier Title Co.
April Winner Sally Crook, Suncon, Inc. Designers & Builders
May Winner Brenda Moore, Regions Bank
June Winner Karen McAtee, TheBANK of Edwardsville
July Winner Debra Kannel, Cornerstone Bank & Trust, N.A.
August Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
September Winner Nancy Elson, Saint Anthony's Health Center
October Winner Brenda Moore, Regions Bank
November Winner Jerry Gibson, Village of Godfrey
December Winner Denise Wolff, Partners Bank
2005 Ambassador of the Year
Dorrie Ball, KevCor Construction Services
January Winner Karen McAtee, TheBANK of Edwardsville
February Winner Pam Kaizer, Premier Designs Jewelry
March Winner Jerry Gibson
April Winner Brenda Moore, Freedom Title
May Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
June Winner Connie Clark, Raging Rivers WaterPark &
Jan Campbell, Schwartzkopf Printing
July Winner Dorrie Ball, Kevcor Construction Services
August Winner Karen McAtee, TheBANK of Edwardsville
September Winner Pam Kaizer, Premier Designs Jewelry
October Winner Dorrie Ball, Kevcor Construction Services
November Winner Karen McAtee, TheBANK of Edwardsville
December Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
2004 Ambassador of the Year
Karen McAtee, TheBANK of Edwardsville
January Winner Karen McAtee
February Winner Brenda Moore
March Winner Nancy Elson
April Winner Mike Melton
May Winner Therese Kuddes, Kuddes Advertising Specialties
June Winner Jan Campbell, Schwartzkopf Printing &
Kim Jones, Lockhaven Country Club
July Winner Linda Funk
Karen McAtee
August Winner Brett Stawar
September Winner Karen McAtee
October Winner Karen McAtee
November Winner Karen McAtee
December Winner Karen McAtee
2003 Ambassador of the Year
Loretta Dawdy of WBGZ Radio
January Winner Karen McAtee
February Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
Jackie Parks, First Community Bank of Godfrey
March Winner Sally Crook, Suncon Inc.
April Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
May Winner Pam Whisler, Village of Godfrey
June Winner Jerry Gibson
July Winner Brett Stawar
August Winner Jerry Gibson
September Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
October Winner Sally Crook, Suncon Inc.
Brenda Moore
November Winner Jerry Gibson
December Winner Jerry Gibson
January Winner Karen McAtee, Union Planters Bank
February Winner Christy Schaper, Royal Office Products
March Winner Karen McAtee, Union Planters Bank
April Winner Mary Gibbs, AFLAC
May Winner Connie Clark, Raging Rivers WaterPark
June Winner Jan Campbell, Schwartzkopf Printing
July Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
August Winner Mary Gibbs, AFLAC
September Winner Jerry Gibson
October Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
November Winner Sally Crook, Suncon, Inc.
December Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
January Winner Devona Yates, Catholic Children’s Home
February Winner Karen McAtee, Union Planters Bank
March Winner Christy Schaper, Royal Office Products &
Sally Crook, Suncon, Inc.
April Winner Connie Clark, Raging Rivers WaterPark &
Jackie Parks, First Community Bank of Godfrey
May Winner Karen McAtee, Union Planters Bank
June Winner Sally Crook, Suncon, Inc.
July Winner Sally Crook, Suncon, Inc.
August Winner Karen McAtee, Union Planters Bank
September Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
October Winner Candy Mark, Beverly Farm Foundation
November Winner Sally Crook, Suncon, Inc.
December Winner Candy Mark, Beverly Farm Foundation
 January Winner
Jerry Gibson, Kiwanis Club
February Winner Connie Clark, Raging Rivers WaterPark
March Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
April Winner Jan Campbell, Emons Printing/Schwartzkopf Printing
May Winner Karen McAtee, Union Planters Bank
June Winner Devona Yates, Catholic Children’s Home
July Winner Candy Mark, Beverly Farm Foundation
August Winner John Dippel, Godfrey Lions Club
September Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
October Winner Loretta Dawdy, WBGZ Radio
November Winner Christy Sivia, Royal Office Products
December Winner Devona Yates, Catholic Children’s Home

The Chairman's awards are given to individuals who have assisted the Growth Association throughout the year. Awardees are selected by the Member Services Department, Economic Development Department and by the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The awards are presented at the Growth Association Annual Dinner held in January.

  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
Winners will be announced at our Annual Dinner on January 21, 2010.
Therese Kuddes
Dentistry With TLC
Loretta Dawdy
ConocoPhillips Wood River Refinery
Chairman Kent Scheffel
Gary Hoggatt Jr.
Imo's Pizza
Harold Johnson
Dwight Werts
Kevin Hamilton
Chairman Melissa Erker
Jan Campbell
Karen McAtee
My Just Desserts
William Kessler
Chairman Jim Shrader
Dorrie Ball
Jerry Gibson
The Telegraph
Ted Prehn
East End Improvement Association
Congressman Jerry Costello
Schiber Truck Co., Inc.
Chairman Paul Lowery
Linda Funk
Karen McAtee
Dorothy Droste
Illinois Business Journal
Bart Solon
Wells-Hauck Tire & Auto Center
Chairman Pam Heepke
Mel Cook
Nancy Elson
Jerry Gibson
Loretta Dawdy
Fischer Lumber Company
Lifetime Emeritus- Jack Jacoby
Chairman Ted Prehn

This is a new award developed to honor an individual for their contributions to the Growth Association and community at large over the years. This award will be given only when an outstanding candidate for the award is nominated. The award will be presented at the Growth Association Annual Dinner.

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