People In Business

Alton-based Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the nation’s largest product liability and mass tort firms, has promoted two attorneys to shareholder, effective Jan. 1. They are Michael K. Hibey and Laura S. Fitzpatrick. Hibey is based in the firm’s office in Alton, and Fitzpatrick operates out of the New York office. “With decades of combined…

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy Dean Mark Luer, PharmD, has appointed Jessica Kerr, PharmD, as associate dean of professional and student affairs, and Monica Kempland, PhD, as experiential education coordinator. Kerr’s appointment is subject to SIU Board of Trustees approval. Kerr has served as interim associate dean since September 2018. During her interim…

The First National Bank of Waterloo and Robert Hoffmann, chairman of the Board, announced that Rick Parks will succeed Gary Hemmer as the bank’s president. “We are delighted to have Rick Parks join the First National Bank of Waterloo as the new president,” said Hoffmann. Parks will become the bank’s ninth president spanning the bank’s history…

Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis-based family of restaurants, will open its second location in Illinois at 2384 Troy Road in Edwardsville on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The restaurant will be open for daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Edwardsville Lion’s Choice will also be the first new location in the St. Louis area with the prototype…

Charter Communications Inc. announced Friday the opening of a new Spectrum store in Shiloh. The store, located at 3950 Green Mount Road, allows customers to learn more about and try Spectrum services, which include video, internet and voice services and its latest offering, Spectrum Mobile. Officials said Spectrum Mobile combines the nation’s largest LTE network…

PHOTO: Top, Evan Tyson and new interns. Bottom, from left, Jessica Lake, Jett Durr and Zach Williams. Scheffel Boyle CPAs announced the recent addition of four staff accountants and 12 senior interns to its team. The public accounting firm welcomed accountants to its Alton, Edwardsville, and Belleville offices, with plans for more growth later this…

As part of efforts to learn more about obstacles for local business owners, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, recently visited Holt Shoe Shop in Granite City. “Visiting Holt Shoe Shop was a great opportunity to better understand their work and impact on the local community in Granite City,” said Stuart. “Small business like Holt help…

Associate Judge Maureen Schuette of the 3rd Judicial Circuit was appointed as a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee for a term commencing on Jan. 1, 2020, and expiring on Dec. 31, 2022. “I am honored to be appointed and look forward to serving as an active member of the committee,”…

Tucker Ellis LLP, which does work in the bistate area, promoted 10 of its attorneys to counsel in 2020. “Our clients reap the benefits of what we believe is a better system from the typical law firm’s associates and multiple-tier partnership system. Instead, at Tucker Ellis, we promote associates to counsel, and counsel to partners…

First National Bank of Waterloo and President and CEO Gary Hemmer on Tuesday announced his intention to retire on June 30, 2020.  Hemmer began his tenure with the bank more than 20 years ago on July 1, 1999. “Hemmer has provided strong and steady leadership over the past 21 years as president and CEO of…