People In Business

Veteran real estate broker Collin Fischer, principal and designated managing broker at BARBERMURPHY, has achieved his SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) designation. Fischer is now in good company with the most educated, investment-savvy, financially successful industrial and office real estate professionals in the world. Only 56 commercial brokers in the greater St. Louis…

  Two longtime Madison County employees were recently recognized for their service as they prepared for retirement. The Madison County Board honored Karon Wolfe, who retired Sept. 26, and Janis Hagnauer, who retired Oct. 3, during its September board meeting. “Janis and Karon exemplify what public service is about,” Chairman Chris Slusser said. “Their commitment has made…

Southern Illinois University (SIU) System President Dan Mahony announces the appointments of Justin Oates to serve as the vice president for Financial and Administrative Affairs and board treasurer, as well as Evonne Thompson as the executive director of Audit serving as the chief audit executive for the multi-campus SIU System. A university system-wide committee conducted…

An official announcement received from Chestnut Health Systems noted: “Today marks an exciting new chapter for Chestnut Health Systems™ as we officially welcome Puneet Leekha, J.D., into the role of Chief Executive Officer.” The announcement further shared that Leekha has been part of Chestnut’s leadership team for more than a decade, serving as chief operating…

  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District honored Godfrey resident Brian Markert at a September retirement ceremony in St. Louis, Mo. His 32-year career as a civilian member of USACE started in 1993 at Mark Twain Lake in Northeast Missouri and then the Rivers Project Office in West Alton, Mo., working in…

  Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) – the region’s transit advocacy organization – recognized five “Champions of Transit” at its 41st Annual Meeting, held in downtown St. Louis on Sept. 19. CMT’s “Champions of Transit” awards are given on an annual basis and designed to celebrate the efforts of organizations, municipalities and individuals advocating for…

Barto brings more than 30 years of health care and operations experience to role leading BJC Health System BJC Health System today welcomed Nick Barto as its new president and CEO. Barto, who previously served as president of the Health System and BJC’s East Region, succeeds Rich Liekweg, who announced his retirement earlier this year.…

Prairie Cardiovascular recently welcomed Rece Portell, PA-C, to its team in O’Fallon. Portell is a physician assistant who holds a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. She has assisted in advanced cardiac procedures, interpreted diagnostic tests, and participated in the care of patients with heart failure, hypertension,…

Geology Professor Ken B. Anderson, director of the SIU Advanced Energy Institute (AEI) in Carbondale, was honored Sept. 18, 2025, with the Southern Illinois University System Inventor of the Year Award. The award honors an exemplary faculty member who has shown an ability to innovate at the highest level, advancing scientific achievements that will be…

Greater St. Louis Inc. initiative grows the region’s talent pipeline, expands leadership capacity  Key Takeaways The 19th cohort of the Fellows Experience recently celebrated its graduation at Edward Jones – North Campus. Hundreds of Fellows alumni enhance the capacity of St. Louis’ corporations and organizations while helping retain talent in the region. The Fellows Experience…