Fourth annual Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon hosted by RBGA
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal
[email protected]
All photos by Melissa Crockett Meske/Illinois Business Journal
River Bend Growth Association President John Keller welcomes attendees to the annual Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon on May 28.
The 2025 Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon was hosted by the RiverBend Growth Association on May 28 in The Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, as the organization continued its 40th anniversary celebration. Beverly Farm Foundation was once again the title sponsor for the event.
RBGA President John Keller kicked things off with a welcome to all those in attendance, then recognizing elected officials, Growth Association board members and staff as well those who helped pull the annual event together.
The meal was catered by Bella Catering, a division of Bella Milano. The awards presented were donated by Cope Plastics Inc., as were the special 40th anniversary table favors, and the Spirit of the Community Award presentation video was prepared by Joe Moran’s JM Video Productions. George McGilvrey with McGilvrey Fine Portraits provided photography services for the event.
Captains Cassie and Sean Grey from the Salvation Army provided a spiritual blessing before Martha Schultz, chair of the RBGA board of directors and First Mid Bank & Trust community bank president, took over the podium from Keller to present the Chamber Choice Awards, assisted by Brian Campbell, RBGA board chair-elect and owner of Colman’s Country Campers.
Steve Marso of the Alton River Dragons was presented with the Captain Award. Two recipients were honored with Perseverance Awards: Sharon Pratt and Alana Yount. Pratt is a broker and co-owner of RE/MAX River Bend and Yount is the operations manager at Waggoner Equipment Rental LLC.
John Barnerd of Simmons Hanly Conroy, who also serves as a Growth Association’s Young Adults Committee Mentor, provided YAC highlights from the year recently completed, recognizing the participating high school juniors and seniors, their mentors and school administrators. He then announced the student scholarship winners.
More than $12,000 had been raised from sponsorships and raffle ticket sales to fund the awarded student scholarships. The YAC was also able to present Refuge with a $1,000 check from this year’s fundraising efforts.
Next up: the Spirit of the Community Award. Dwight and Cheryl Werts were recognized for their service to the community, as well as to the RBGA, through their years in business and their regional volunteerism.
A special video presentation highlighted the Werts, their family, the love they have for the community and their part in it, the successes they have celebrated over the years, and what means the most to them through it all.
This image is captured from the video presentation as a part of the Spirit of the Community Award given to Dwight and Cheryl Werts and depicts an aerial view of the Werts Welding and Tank Service facility.
Cheryl and Dwight Werts together; this image is captured from the video presentation as a part of the Spirit of the Community Award given to the couple at the May 28 RiverBend Growth Association Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon.
Dwight the Robot, a vital Mission Partner at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center, is seen moving down the hallway with its namesake, Dwight Werts. Dwight and Cheryl Werts donated to the healthcare facility so that Dwight the Robot could be “employed.” This image was also captured from the video presentation that was a part of the Spirit of the Community Award given to Dwight and Cheryl Werts at the 2025 RiverBend Growth Association Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon on May 28.
Steve Marso with the Alton River Dragons makes remarks from the podium during the May 28 River Bend Growth Association Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon after receiving the Captain Award. RBGA Board Chair Martha Schultz can be seen in the background.
Sharon Pratt of RE/MAX River Bend is at the podium, accepting one of two Perseverance Awards presented at the May 28 Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon hosted by the RiverBend Growth Association. RBGA Board Chair-Elect Brian Campbell and Board Chair Martha Schultz can be seen in the background.
John Barnerd of Simmons Hanly Conroy leads the presentation from the RiverBend Growth Association’s Young Adults Committee during the May 28 Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon. Barnerd serves as one of the YAC mentors.
The tables were decked out with special table favors marking the RiverBend Growth Association’s 40th anniversary at the May 28 Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon.
