People In Business

Although vertical farming is a rapidly-growing industry, the practice struggles to achieve profitable returns and provide the promise of affordable healthy food for future generations. To overcome those challenges, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering alumnus Chico Weber has invented GrowMotion, a robotic grow light, to enhance vertical farm profitability and help feed the…

The team of Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC is celebrating its 15th year in business. Founded in 2006, the engineering and construction firm has grown from a three-person operation in a small, shared office space in Belleville to nine offices in four states, with 50 employees and successful infrastructure projects throughout the Midwest. “It’s hard to…

Mark T Klucka, DO a board-certified gastroenterologist, joined private practice Metro East Gastroenterology Ltd. on Aug. 2. His office is located at 311 W Lincoln St. suite 101 in downtown Belleville.  He joins owner Aaron B. Greenspan, MD and Neil W. Frederickson, MD along with Nurse Practitioners Kim Grana, Sheena Eslinger, Randi Hummel, Shona Quick…

Bank of Hillsboro President and CEO Misty Borrowman announced the hiring of Brian Jones to serve as the vice president, commercial loan officer for the bank’s Edwardsville branch located at 2496 Troy Road. Jones, who has 14 years of banking experience, specializes in commercial real estate, equipment financing, working capital lines of credit, and municipal…

The City of O’Fallon has named Andrew Dallner as the new director of Parks & Recreation. Dallner will be responsible for a system that which includes 11 parks, miles of trails, and numerous recreational programs. “Andrew has worked as O’Fallon’s superintendent of recreation for a number of years, and he will be a tremendous leader…

Jeffrey H. Mishkin has joined Korte & Luitjohan Contractors Inc. of Highland in the role of business development. Mishkin brings with him more than 20 years of sales and sales management experience – most recently in the manufacturing, distribution, process improvement, and industrial sectors. “One of the many characteristics that set K & L apart…

PHOTO: Gene Verdu, of Belleville, whose new Uncle Gene Foundation will help benefit seniors and needy children By DENNIS GRUBAUGH Eugene Verdu, of Belleville, has dedicated his life as a missionary, teacher, gerontologist, and advocate for needy children. Now he’s lending his inspiration to a special one-day event that will celebrate America’s fastest-growing demographic. “Love…

Focal Pointe Family Foundation will hold its 12th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 24, at Far Oaks Golf Club in Caseyville. The annual tournament started in 2009 to support the family of Cindy Amos, a Focal Pointe employee who tragically passed away on her way to work. Each year since, the company has…

One of Alton’s best-known restaurateurs, Anthony V. “Tony” Ventimiglia, has died. He was 97. According to obituaries published today, Ventimiglia, died at 12:20 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at his home in Alton. Tony and his father Leo founded Midtown Restaurant in Alton in the early 1940s. Tony and his wife Edie went on to…

Frank J. Beelman Jr., CEO of Beelman Trucking Co., one of the region’s largest trucking companies, has died. He was 100 years old. A lifelong resident of the St. Clair County village of St. Libory, he died on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. He was born Nov. 20, 1920. His obituary notice notes that until COVID-19,…