People In Business

Rucker previously worked for the alliance’s sister company Powers Insurance & Risk Management Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois, recently promoted Kaylee Rucker to Communication Coordinator. In this position, Rucker will handle internal and external communication for alliance members and company partners.…

  The remarkable contributions of inspiring women who embrace and promote diversity, equity and inclusion were recognized during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s ninth annual Phenomenal Wom*n’s Celebration held Wednesday, March 22. “What the goal here today is to ensure these women are seen, celebrated and supported,” said Kevin Leonard, PhD, dean of the College of…

Western Specialty Contractors recognizes Peoria Assistant Branch Manager Jared Osterman and St. Louis Concrete Branch Sales/Project Manager George Justice on graduating from the 2023 Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Four Western employees have graduated from the program over the past two years. CLI recognized 43 graduates of its program on March…

S. M. Wilson & Co., a St. Louis-based construction manager and contracting firm, has promoted Brandon Groom to Project Manager. Groom, who has seven years of construction industry experience, joined S. M. Wilson as an Assistant Project Manager in 2022. In his new role as Project Manager, Groom is responsible for subcontractor procurement and management,…

The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (NCERC at SIUE) recently welcomed Steve Ward, PE as its new project management engineer. In his new role, Ward will oversee research projects in NCERC’s pilot- and demonstration-scale research laboratories while working directly with clients from across the world who come to the center to…

Having battled addiction during her first two years of undergrad and facing many life difficulties, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna Bailey McGuire was unsure if she would ever finish her degree. With support from SIUE’s applied communication faculty, McGuire earned her bachelor’s in May 2022 and has since then become the executive assistant to the…

UPDATED — Governor JB Pritzker recently announced the following appointments in his administration:  Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund Kevin Clark will serve as a Member of the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund.* Kevin Clark has over fifteen year of analysis and communication expertise. He currently serves as Director of Development of Southern Illinois…

S. M. Wilson & Co., a St. Louis-based construction manager and contracting firm, has added Bernie Burtch and promoted Matt Frank to the roles of Project Directors. Burtch and Frank provide leadership and operational oversight on a variety of construction projects. They are responsible for ensuring that the entire team has the resources necessary and…

Doug Weber, vice president of Holland Construction Services, is the recipient of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2023 Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) Alumni Leadership Award. The CLI Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the St. Louis area building community. “CLI’s mission is to produce accomplished leaders who…

Lewis and Clark Community College welcomed new Trustee Donna Ware, a 20-year resident of Alton, to the Board of Trustees during its regular board meeting on Mar. 14, 2023. Ware, who currently works as an Executive Director of Planning and Design with BJC HealthCare, with more than 30 years in architecture, will serve out the…