The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet at the Jackson Civic Center on Friday, Jan. 16, honoring businesses and leaders in the Jackson community.
Chamber President/CEO Brian Gerau said the chamber now has more than 600 members, with over 530 people in attendance at this year’s banquet.
Phil Penzel was named the 2025 R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award recipient. The award is given to an individual who has dedicated their life to the advancement of Jackson. Winners of the R.A. Fulenwider Award, which has been presented since 1978, are chosen by past award recipients.
Penzel’s recognition marks the first time three members of the same family have received the chamber’s top honor, with Penzel’s father Gene Penzel and grandfather Carl Penzel also receiving the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award.
“Being the third-generation Fulenwider Award recipient is a tremendous honor,” Penzel said. “A lot of things have to work correctly in order for that to happen. First of all, people leave town to go to college, and sometimes they never come back. You’ve got to come back. You’ve got to work in your community. You’ve got to contribute to your community.”
Tina Weber, who won the Fulenwider award last year, presented this year’s award to Penzel. “From serving as an alderman and a civic leader to a community advocate, his commitment to the growth and advancement of Jackson has been unwavering,” Weber said.
The R.A. Fulenwider Award was presented by ThompsonFamily Enterprises.
The Business of the Year award was given to Comfort Keepers, which provides in-home care to individuals throughout southeast Missouri. The company began serving the southeast Missouri area in 2000, and the regional office was purchased by Mark and Melody Harpur in 2022. Since 2022, Comfort Keepers has nearly doubled the number of people they serve.
“This year’s recipient has been a tremendous partner in the Jackson area and a true leader in service to our community with an unwavering commitment to service, community and philanthropy,” Soto Property Solution’s Dave Soto said during the award’s presentation. “This organization has set the standard for excellence in the in-home caregiving industry.”
The Small Business of the Year award went to The Cash-Book Journal. The community newspaper has served the Jackson area for over 155 years. The CBJ provides weekly coverage of Jackson residents, events, businesses, schools, sports and local governments.
In recent years, the CBJ has expanded to host local events and sell promotional products to local advertisers.
“There are numerous, numerous small businesses in our area and our state,” Gerau said. “The Cash-Book has been in Jackson for well over 100 years, and we were very proud to give them the Small Business of the Year.” The award was presented by Linda Puchbauer.
The Rotary Club of Southeast Missouri Service won the second Non-Profit of the Year award, after the award was introduced at last year’s banquet. The non-traditional cause-based Rotary Club was chartered in 2021, and focuses on community service projects. The club has grown from 24 members when it was founded to 57 members today.
Merideth Pobst, the chief marketing and communications director for the Jackson R-2 School District, won the Women’s Impact Network Women of the Year award. Pobst, who was surprised by the award, was part of the WIN program’s inception and has served on the chamber’s board of directors.
“I have been blessed to be a blessing to others,” Pobst said. “All I want to do in life is to bless other people. I know our time on this earth is short, and so with the time that I have, I want to just give back to our community. I’m super proud of the Jackson chamber and these awesome women.”
The WIN Women of the Year award was presented by Melody Harpur from Comfort Keepers.
Jackson R-2 Choir Teacher Austin Treat won the Marybeth Williams Educator of the Year Award. Treat primarily teaches choir students at the Jackson Junior High School, but also teaches two classes at Jackson Middle School. The award was presented by Broker/Property Manager Rylan Martin.
Heartland Custom Flooring Owner Rob Stephens won the Sam Roethemeyer Ambassador of the Year Award. This award is given to highlight someone who supports the chamber and helps recruit new members for the chamber. The award was presented by Amy Ybarra from Gearheads Auto and Diesel Repair.
This year’s banquet, titled “A Diamond Affair,” featured a diamond raffle fundraiser for the chamber. Jackson resident Joe Letner won a set of diamond stud earrings, donated by Sam’s Fine Jewelry, worth $7,500 through the raffle.
The 2026 chamber board officers were installed during the banquet, with Mike Seabaugh serving as president, Ronnie Maxwell serving as vice president and Carly Bowles serving as secretary/treasurer.
Kyle Thompson, Chris Cole and Ron Niswonger were sworn in as the executive team for the Jackson Industrial Development Company.
Outgoing chamber board members Scott Givens, Rob Stephens and Merideth Pobst were also recognized for their work the past nine years.
