Chamber’s choice: Recognizing those who have made a difference in the Riverbend

 

By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal
[email protected]

All photos by Melissa Crockett Meske/Illinois Business Journal

The fifth annual Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon, hosted by the RiverBend Growth Association, took place on May 27, 2026, in the Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey.

The sold-out event also celebrated the organization’s 41^st anniversary. Growth Association President John Keller welcomed guests prior to lunch which was catered by NickyG’s. Pastor Peter Hough from the Alton Mission led the attendees through words of thanks as the buffet meal got underway.

The event’s title sponsors were Werts Welding and Tank Service Inc. and Colman’s Country Campers.

Award sponsors included 1^st MidAmerica Credit Union, AltonWorks, Asbury Village, First Mid Bank & Trust, Lewis and Clark Community College, Midwest Members Credit Union and Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery.

Cope Plastics Inc., celebrating its 80^th year in business in 2026, was further acknowledged for the donation of the award plaques presented at the event.

RBGA Board Chair Brian Campbell of Colman’s Country Campers and 5 Diamonds Campground was joined by Board Chair Elect Danny Adams of St. Louis Regional Airport to present the five Chamber Choice Awards.

The Pioneer Award was presented to Erin Bickle. Bickle is the founder and executive director of Refuge.

“A pioneer is described as someone who sees a need and is willing to try new things. This award is given to someone who was willing to start a new organization that would help solve a problem,” Campbell noted.

“When Erin Bickle launched Refuge in 2014, it was born out of a passion to support vulnerable children in Madison County. Refuge serves children and their caregivers who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect and violence through counseling, caregiver support and education. Refuge has changed the trajectory of their lives, their families and the community, not only now but for generations to come,” he added.

Two Captain Awards were also presented: One to Imperial Manufacturing Group and the other to The Wedge Innovation Center.

“Imperial Manufacturing Group has evolved from a small sheet-metal shop with four employees into a world-class manufacturer of air distribution and building products for all of North America in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry,” Campbell shared. IMG Senior Operations Manager Laura Brackett accepted the company’s Captain Award.

“Today we recognize an organization that has become an important part of the momentum, connection and optimism that is growing across the Riverbend,” said Campbell. “The Wedge’s impact extends far beyond its walls, it reflects a belief in this region, its people, their potential and their future.” CEO Scot Heathman accepted the Captain Award for The Wedge.

The final award category also recognized its two recipients. The Legacy Award honored both Tony Fuhrmann and Karen Wilson.

Designed to recognize “outstanding individuals who have recently retired after years of service to the RBGA and the community as a whole,” Tony Fuhrmann was the first to be presented with a Legacy Award.

Fuhrmann recently retired from his position as the director of Madison County Employment and Training. During his remarks, Fuhrmann noted that he had “the best government job available in Madison County.”

“Under Tony’s direction, his department had a hand in the educating, training and re-training of our area’s workforce collaborating with many entities, including West Star Aviation, five local high schools, numerous apprenticeships and the National Restaurant Association,” noted Campbell as Fuhrmann received the award.

The second Legacy Award was presented to recently retired State Farm Insurance agent Karen Wilson. Wilson had spent 24 years as an agent before her retirement last summer. As she made her way to the podium to accept her award, Campbell playfully noted that “there’s so much more to the effervescent Karen Wilson” before directing the audience’s attention to the screen presentation to watch her tell her story in her own words.

Immediately following lunch, Young Adults Committee Mentor John Barnerd of Simmons Hanly Conroy provided a presentation of this year’s activities, accomplishments, sponsorships and mentorships before announcing the YAC scholarship winners. He also recognized the school districts and administrators who support the committee’s efforts throughout each academic year.

Scholarships awarded included three at $500; five at $750; one at $1,000; one at $2,000; one at $2,500; and one at $3,000. Twelve of this year’s 20 participating students were awarded scholarships that are funded from proceeds the students raise throughout the year with their fundraising activities.

Students who were presented with scholarships included:

• Itzel Sanchez-Cook and Kennedy Lacey from Alton High School;
• Mariana Silva from Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto;
• Landon Bomkamp, Adyson Bunt and Jace Burns from East Alton Wood River High School;
• Mia Buchanan and Bri Bagwill from Marquette Catholic High School in Alton; and
• Anthony Hardin, Keira Perjak, Bailey Schallenberg-Decker and Noah Smith from Roxana High School.

The Young Adults Committee also chooses a local nonprofit each year from among those they worked with that had the greatest impact on them. This year the YAC presented Beverly Farm Foundation with its $1,000 donation. Crystal Officer and Taylor Justice accepted the check on behalf of Beverly Farm.

The fifth annual RBGA Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon table sponsors were 1^st MidAmerica Credit Union, Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton Schools/Alton Educational Foundation, Big Z Media, Busey Bank, Heartland Bank & Trust Co., Liberty Bank, Midwest Members Credit Union, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center, Pride Beautification, The Telegraph and the Village of Godfrey.