MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Proud of accomplishments in 2012; looking forward to opportunities in 2013 BY JONI BARWICK FOR THE SOUTHERN
Congratulations to TCT Network for becoming the 2012 Marion Chamber of Commerce Business & Industry of the Year. As you will read in the feature article about TCT Network, this Marion-based business has become a worldwide leader in Christian Barwick television. We are proud to have this business in our community and to be the recipient of the award. Reflecting on this past year, the Chamber continued its tradition of hosting many successful programs and activities. We hosted our second annual Chamber Bass Tournament at Lake of Egypt and saw entries from across the region and issouri. Proceeds from this event helped fund Grad Spree, which is an allnight, drug-and-alcohol free, chaperoned event for seniors graduating from Marion High School. Marion Community Day at Rent One Park had one of our highest ticket sales in June complete with Friday Night Fireworks. Members had the opportunity to showcase their businesses on the concourse and half of the Marion ticket sales went to Grad Spree. Our annual golf tournament in July was another successful event, despite the heat and dry conditions.
A new edition was added to our event list in 2012, Speed Networking. Our Membership Committee put together this great event, which features a casual atmosphere where members can connect and share information about their business and services. The Chamber will continue this event in the upcoming year. Of course, I would like to mention the wonderful annual Dinner and Awards Banquet that is carefully planned each year by volunteers. Starting last year, we welcomed members from the Marion High School FBLA Chapter 737, who assist the annual dinner committee throughout the evening. The night is now also complete with an “after party” featuring live music by the Ivas John Band. The Chamber recently welcomed Monica McGinley to the office as our administrative assistant. Monica is a great addition to the Chamber, and I feel that with our group of volunteers who help ensure that our goals are achieved, we will see the Chamber continue to grow and provide benefits and services to our members. Thank you to our Board of Directors for their hard work and dedication to the Chamber. Our Chairman of the Board, Mary Jo McCurdy, has done an outstanding job of leading the Chamber in 2012, and we would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Chairman, Jeanine Ragain. Finally, thank you to our members for your continued support and
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Fireworks erupt over Rent One Park after the national anthem before a Miners game at Rent One Park in Marion.
participation. We are all looking forward to 2013 and the opportunities it will bring for the Marion Chamber to
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• Bob Williams, publisher bob.williams@thesouthern.com
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continue to make Marion a great city and business environment for growth and success.
• To subscribe: Call 618-351-5000 from Carbondale, Murphysboro and DeSoto; 618997-3356, option 2 from Williamson County; or 800-228-0429, option 2, between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
JONI BARWICK is the executive director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce .
• To place a display ad: Call 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 618-529-5454, option 6; from Williamson County, 618-997-3356; or toll free: 800-228-0429, option 6.
MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
From the Mayor BY BOB BUTLER FOR THE SOUTHERN
Congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce for the completion of another successful year. Marion continues to grow and prosper in large part because of uncompromising cooperation between city government and the chamber. From the Butler moment when the two united in a joint effort to achieve a common goal, good things for the city,
the business community and our citizens began to happen. Because of our continued cooperation and joint effort, 2013 is bound to be the best year yet. We look forward to it with unbridled excitement. BOB BUTLER is mayor of Marion.
Proud to Support Marion Area Chamber of Commerce pepsimidamerica.com
1.800.827.7020 The Southern Illinoisan Friday, January 11, 2013 Page 3
MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 92nd Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet Friday, January 11, 2013 The Pavilion of the City of Marion Program Welcome ........................................................ Joni Barwick Invocation .............................................. Pastor John Holst .............................................. Zion United Church of Christ Pledge of Allegiance ...................................... Joni Barwick Dinner Introduction of Guests .......................... Mary Jo McCurdy Reflections of Outgoing Chairman ........ Mary Jo McCurdy Introduction of Board of Directors ........ Mary Jo McCurdy Introduction of 2012 Chamber Officers Secretary/Treasurer .................................... Doug Kimmel 2nd Vice Chairman .......................................... Ashley Gott 1st Vice Chairman............................................ Rick Richert Chairman of the Board .............................. Jeanine Ragain Acceptance by New Chairman .................. Jeanine Ragain Mayor’s Remarks .......................... Mayor Robert L. Butler Presentation of Awards .......................... Dutch Doelitzsch Business/Industry of the Year: TCT Network Mayors Service Award ‘Young Professional Leadership’ Award Distinguished Chamber Member Award
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Teresa Katubig, President and CEO of Extra Help, Inc., receives a plaque for the 2011 Business/Industry of the Year Award from Master of Ceremonies Dutch Doelitzsch at the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet in 2012.
Lifetime Achievement Award
2013 Board of Directors and Officers
‘Citizen of the Year Award’ Close Awards Banquet .............................. Jeanine Ragain Benediction ............................................Pastor John Holst After Party Entertainment by The Ivas John Band
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Board of Directors Ray Altmix Sara Bond Jim Brandt* Steve Cook Patricia Cruse Kim DeBose Hayden Gardiner* Kenya Garner Cindy Gibbons* Tracey Glenn* Deborah Hogg Lisa Hudgens*
Janet Jensen Shannon Johnson Steve Lappin* Steve Lunn Scott Murrie Bill Nielsen* Keith Oates James D. Parker* Darren Pulley* Cheri Romonosky George Sheppard Kimberly Walker Brian Ziegler*
Monica McGinley, administrative assistant * Past Chairman of the Board
Officers Chairman of the Board: Jeanine Ragain 1st Vice-Chairman: Rick Richert 2nd Vice-Chairman: Ashley Gott Secretary/Treasurer: Doug Kimmel Immediate Past Chairman: Mary Jo McCurdy Executive Director: Joni Barwick
MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Shoppers make their way through the Illinois Star Centre in Marion. One of the chamber's goals is to grow business in Marion.
Professional Engineers & Surveyors www.czengineer.com 410 N. Court St. / P.O. Box 937 Marion, IL 62959 (618) 993-6411 THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Customers walk into Target for the Thanksgiving Day sales before Black Friday shopping.
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, January 11, 2013 Page 5
MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
The new Intensive Care Unit at Heartland Regional Medical Center accepted patients Jan. 3.
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Marion Square is reflected in a shop window.
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MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
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MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TCT Network Business/Industry of the Year BY ADAM TESTA THE SOUTHERN
For nearly three decades, a team of dedicated individuals have done their part to share the message of the gospel with a worldwide audience, and they’ve done it from a studio Southern Illinois. Garth W. Coonce and his wife Tina bought WTCT in February 1984, taking the next step in a process and a dream that had begun years before. In 1977, Coonce, then director of international marketing for a large company, had a vision of building a station featuring Christian programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He started a station in Ohio and balanced his time between that and his business career. Ultimately, he turned the station over to Trinity Broadcasting. That’s when he heard that WTCT in Marion was for sale, and he made the decision to move his family westward and start over with a new beginning in Southern Illinois.
From its beginnings in a small studio, the station has grown exponentially, both in size and in reach. The network now reaches audiences across the globe via cable, satellite and online streaming. The station operates with more than a $15 million annual operating budget, financed by donations and the sale of air time, and is now housed in a more than 65,000-squarefeet building. WTCT employs about 130 people. This year, the station’s presence and dedication to the community is being recognized by the Marion Chamber of Commerce, which has named WTCT its Business of the Year. Awards will be presented tonight during the annual Chamber banquet dinner. In a previous interview, Coonce said the most satisfying part of the success he’s found is “when peoples’ lives are changed because of the Gospel, as well as praying for people going through difficult times and being an encouragement for them.”
PROVIDED
Julie Nolan (left) is on set with TCT President and founders Garth and Tina Coonce. In one of three studios, the wall behind a cameraman (inset) is covered with names from callers who are in need of prayer.
PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(618) 997-1111 • 1305 N. CARBON ST, MARION, IL WWW.DAVETHOMPSONREALTY.NET Page 8 Friday, January 11, 2013 The Southern Illinoisan
MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mayor’s Breakfast themes and service award winners YEAR 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
2004 2004 2005 2006 THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO 2007 2008
An aerial photo of the business development just west of I-57 in Marion.
Business/Industry of the Year YEAR
COMPANY
1963 1964
GTE (General Telephone) CIPS (Central Illinois Public Service) Giles Electric Area Appreciation Unavailable GTE Fabick Machinery Marion Pepsi Cola Bottling Marion Daily Republican USP Marion (Federal Prison) Unavailable Williamson County Airport Authority Women’s Auxiliary Marion Memorial Hospital Olin Corporation Past President’s Real Estate Women of Achievement Coal Industry Small Business WDDD
1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991
1992
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
V.A. Medical Center Women of Achievement Blue Cross/Blue Shield Financial Institutions Pennzoil Products Community School District No. 2 John A. Logan College Marion New Car Dealers — Absher Automotive Center, E.N. Baker, Inc., Marion Ford-Hyundai, Foley-Sweitzer Motors, Marion Toyota Rail Transportation — Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad, Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, Transload of Illinois Perma Treat Marion Memorial UPS (United Parcel Service) Cree Development (Henry Mitchell) Excel Mining Systems
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Timberline Fisheries, Inc. Wisconsin Physicians Services Circuit City Marion Pepsi Cola Bottling Company Aisin Manufacturing Illinois, LLC Franklin Williamson Human Services, Inc. Southern Pride Heartland Regional Medical Center Southern Illinois Power Cooperative Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Organization Marion Heights, LLC “The Hill Development Corp” Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Green Grass Group (Kokopelli Golf Club) Extra Help Inc. TCT Network
2009 2010 2011 2012
THEMES
SERVICE AWARD WINNERS No Award No Award
‘Porkitic’s’ Ms Piggy ‘Marion 2025’ ‘Marion’s Y2K’ ‘Who Wants To be a Millionaire’ ‘Ode To The Mayor’ ‘Old Fashion Roast’ Changed format to a Mayors Luncheon; Sept. 9, 2003
Robert Bradley Aileen Motsinger Garry Allen Marless Doughty Suzanne McAlpin Yolonde Peterson LC & Marlyn Cavaness
Changed again; now awarded at the annual Awards Banquet in January Louetta M. Butler Ivan & Wanda Zwick Charlie Prater Tickie Miller American Legion/ VFW Ritual Team Bernard Paul Ed Davis Claire Travelstead Giles To Be Announced
PROVIDED
President and founders of TCT Garth and Tina Coonce.
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, January 11, 2013 Page 9
MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Distinguished Chamber Member awards
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.
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YEAR
WINNER
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Dorothea Hill-Hope Dodie Logan James Doughty Pat Wiese Dave Thompson Stephen R. Coale Charolette Russell Jim Brandt Cindy Gibbons Don Bett Hayden Gardiner Bill Nielsen Mary Jo McCurdy Ray Altmix Bank of Marion, Don Fisher Marion Ford Darren Pulley John A. Logan Center for Business & Industry
2006
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
John & Lynn Hill, Bennie’s Italian Foods Gail Lannom, Extra Help Payroll Services Steve Lappin, Banterra Bank Heartland Regional Medical Center Banterra Bank To Be Announced
MARION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lifetime Achievement awards
2013 Events Calendar Marion Area Chamber of Commerce January 11 17 21
Annual Dinner Business-After-Hours – Old National Bank, Marion Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Office Closed
February 12 12 18
Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, Koko’s President’s Day, Office Close
March 12 12 29
Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, Koko’s Good Friday, Office Closed
April 9 9 24 TBD
TBD 27 31
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, Koko’s Administrative Professionals’ Day 3rd Annual Chamber Bass Tournament
May 14 14
YEAR
Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, The Diamond Club at Rent One Park Grad Spree Memorial Day, Office Closed Marion Community Day at Rent One Park
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
TBD TBD
Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, The Diamond Club at Rent One Park Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant All-Star High School Football Game, SIU
July 4 9 9 TBD
Independence Day, Office Closed Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, The Diamond Club at Rent One Park Golf Scramble
August NO MEETINGS
September 2 10 10
Labor Day, Office Closed Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, The Diamond Club at Rent One Park
YEAR
WINNER
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Clara Boatright Florence McDonald Powell Barnett Citizens of Marion Thomas J. Redickas Leroy Anderson Rudolph Noleen Harrel Lerch Robert H. Campbell Women of Achievement — Marie Schafale, Yolanda Peterson, Jewell Grimes, Cleta Whitacre, Emma Lou Garrison, Belle Elizabeth, Helen Longbons Dr. Joseph McAlpin Bob Bradley Lu Queen Mr. & Mrs. Ed Soldner Women of Achievement — Ella Mae Allen, Suzanne McAlpin, Elizabeth Noleen, Elileen Rea, Lillian Zoller Otilia Lynch Harold “Boots” Biggs Rev. Joseph Van Roekel L.C. Cavaness Women of Achievement — Kathleen Pape, Elsie White, Ann Knewitz, Ida Welborn, Betty Boatright
October 8 8
Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, The Diamond Club at Rent One Park
November 12 12 28-29
Board of Directors Meeting Luncheon, Koko’s Thanksgiving Holiday, Office Closed
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
December 10 10 24 25
Board of Directors Meeting Holiday Luncheon, Koko’s Christmas Eve, Office Closed Christmas Day, Office Closed
August L. Fowler Dr. Alonzo Baker, Virgil Bowman Paul Houghton Cliff Storme none given Raymond Allen, Dr. R.D. Morgan Les Stilley, George Dodds, Charles Winters Loren Carter, Harold Chase, Kenny Powless Herman Bearden, Ray Reynolds Cleta Whitacre Sam Stotlar, Evelyn Patterson Orval Leukering, Dr. Joe McAlpin, DDS Ron and Mabel Albright, Wilson Giles Mason Absher, Bob Bradley, William Novick Gordon Lambert, Charles Monroe,
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Raymond McCormick Dennis “Dutch’ Doelitzsch, Dr. John Kaeser Captain Robert W. Duncan Gene Norman Mayor Robert L. Butler Ray Hancock Tom Oates, Jim Parker, Bob Campbell John Goss, Earl Parks, Guy ‘Pete’ Peterson James B. Bleyer, Glenn Clarida, Father Richard Mohr Charlie Miller, Dr. M.T. Joseph Don Bett, Curtis Palmer, J. David Thompson George Sheppard, Gene Watson Walt Nieds Jr., LC Cavaness, Dr. Robert Mees To Be Announced
Young Professional Leadership awards
June 11 11
WINNER
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2011 2012
Glenn Clarida Tom Logan George Sims Dr. John Kaeser Dorothy Chamness Ernie Rinella Rev. Shirley and Dorena Milner Marilyn Cavaness Linda Byassee J. Lawrence Sanders Rosemary Crisp Sarah Bethel James and Marless Doughty Marion City Council — Robert “Dog” Connell, Jimmy Stewart, Gary Turnbull, Bob Boyt Roberta Blankenship Citizens of Marion Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts Dr. Jack Keller, MD Marjorie Wright Elaine Melby Citizens of Williamson County ‘STAR’ Award State Representative John Bradley STAR Bond Developer Bruce Holland Meredith Ashe To Be Announced
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, January 11, 2013 Page 11
Congratulations TCT Television Network • Complimentary HOT Breakfast • Complimentary High Speed Internet Access • Read It & Return Lending Library • Reward Yourself with Goldpoints PlusSM • Indoor Heated Pool & Whirlpool • Business Center • Locally Owned & Operated
The Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Marion, IL
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Congratulations
to TCT Television Network on Business-of-theYear
Page 12 Friday, January 11, 2013 The Southern Illinoisan