People In Business

The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has welcomed Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Mingjun Ma, PhD. Ma joins NCERC’s growing team of researchers who focus on a variety of research topics that help support the expansion of the bioeconomy in the U.S. and globally. The Post-Doctoral Research Fellow program is supported through funding…

Contegra Construction Co. in Edwardsville has welcomed Project Manager Matt Sockoch, CHC. He is a construction management graduate from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and brings more than five years of experience in industrial, health care and commercial construction.

Bank of Hillsboro Alhambra Branch Manager Jeanne Reckman will retire after 25 years with the branch at the end of the year. Julie Jett, head teller at the Alhambra branch, has stepped up to branch manager in preparation for Reckman’s retirement. “My time at the Alhambra branch has been phenomenal. I love our customers and…

A 20-year veteran with local nonprofit community development financial institution Justine PETERSEN, Galen Gondolfi was recently made chief strategy officer, previously holding the post of chief communications officer. Gondolfi will be spearheading small-business loan fund capitalization efforts with Southern and Central Illinois banks, municipal and county governments, philanthropy and private investors. Prior to his tenure…

West Star Aviation announced Michael Farrell as an IT support specialist at its East Alton facility at St. Louis Regional Airport. Farrell has several years of aviation experience, previously working at Mid Coast and Elliot Aviation. He has been with West Star since 2010, starting as finish technician and has been moving up through the…

Shawna Collier, left, and Mark Zavaglia. For over a decade, FCB Banks has partnered with the local nonprofit asset development organization Justine PETERSEN to serve households, neighborhoods and communities on both sides of the Mississippi.  As a Department of Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Justine PETERSEN partners with local banks such as FCB…

The Southwest Illinois Division of United Way of Greater St. Louis recently awarded Kids Corner and Refuge, two nonprofits that serve Madison County, with a total of $14,000 through the Carol F. Martin Trust Grant Fund. A $4,000 grant awarded to Kids Corner will help them fund programs for children who have been displaced because of parent separation, and a…

From left, Eartha Brown, Mark Hinrichs and Tamala Malone By RANDY PIERCE, [email protected] Three local businesses have been announced as recipients of the Fairview Heights Business Alliance Commission’s economic impact awards, the E Brown Bakery, IMPACT Strategies and Tree of Life Childcare Center. As a result of this effort to recognize local establishments and businesses…

The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of a new micro event space in Edwardsville called Essential Venue. The intimate gathering space is designed to accommodate private events hosting up to 80 guests. The space offers flexibility for party planners and upscale amenities. Located at 6170 Bennett Drive, Suite C the space…

Collinsville native Jordan Reichert, 24, is working his way up as an accountant after earning his MBA this past year at McKendree University. Reichert started his career at Anders CPA and Advisors as an intern in Outsourced Accounting before transitioning to a full-time accountant in 2019. He works with businesses across industries on their day-to-day…