2020 Dexter Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet

Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

Pastor Larry Lawman of the First United Methodist Church delivered the opening prayer.Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

The retiring directors of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce were recognized by Chamber President Matt Ternes. Pictured is retiring director Jake Nesseirodt of National Title and Escrow, with Chamber Executive Director Alisha Trammell. Nesseirodt served as a director from January 2017 to December 2019. Not pictured is retiring director Andrea Sisk with Bank of Advance, who was unable to attend. Sisk also served from January 2017 to December 2019.Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

Chamber President Matt Ternes also introduced the current directors. They are from left: Mark Whitehead, Newwave Communications; Tiffany Wright, Gill Family Properties; Dustin Mayer, Mayer Law Firm and Stoddard County Title and Escrow; Cecil Haley, Southern Bank; Dwayne Pease, Faurcia and Sue Ann Williams, SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County. Not pictured is Maddie Guethle, First Midwest Bank and Janet Palmer, Greenversity.Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

The Organization of the Year was awarded to Communities Loving and Supporting Students (CLASS). The central goal of CLASS is to level the playing field for students so they can focus more on their education and less on their clothing. In 2019 CLASS and its volunteers were able to provide 104 students each with three complete outfits, socks, underclothing, pajamas, tennis shoes and a winter coat. Pictured are Trammell, Representative Herman Morse and Senator Doug Libla presenting the award to representatives CLASS Pam Stuever, Toni Pyle and Rhonda Stuever.Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

The Business of the Year was awarded to the First Missouri Bank of SEMO. First Missouri Bank of SEMO has assisted many area organizations through monetary donations and volunteering. It also provided T.S. Hill Middle School students with tablets and a recharging station at an expense of over $8,000. Pictured are Trammell, Morse and Libla presenting the award to representatives of the First Missouri Bank of SEMO: Mike Hobbs, Holden Bruce, Jessica Reeves, Melissa Rhine, Elizabeth Henson and Tracy Horton.Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

The Industry of the Year was awarded to Jim Gibson Trucking, LLC, which has been in business for over 70 years. The company started as just a lime business and now has a fleet of 15 truck and 15 employees. Pictured are Trammell, Morse and Libla presenting the award to representatives of Jim Gibson Trucking, LLC Jim Gibson, Teresa Gibson and Colten Gibson.Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

The Educator of the Year was awarded to Peggy Potts. Potts is the speech and language therapist at Southwest Elementary. Potts is active with CLASS and initiated the Southwest Clothes Coset where teachers or students can select new or gently used clothing for those in need. Pictured are from left: Trammell, Morse, Peggy Potts and Libla.Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

The inaugural John W. Ringer Lifetime Achievement award was awarded to its namesake John W. Ringer. Ringer, a retired attorney, played a vital role in bringing a hospital to Dexter in the late 1960s. Ringer served as legal council to the Dexter Memorial Hospital Board. He was also responsible for contracts of the physicians and nurse practitioners. Ringer served on the hospital board for 40 years and served as president for 25 years. Ringer retired from the board, now known as the Regional Healthcare Foundation in 2019. Pictured presenting the award in back from left: Morse, Trammell, President of the Regional Healthcare Foundation Aaron Mathis and Libla. In front is John W. Ringer.Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

The annual Dexter Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet was Saturday evening at The Gathering. A catered meal was served to the guests, a photo booth was available as well as a catered cake table. Area businesses sponsored the evenings activities. Senator Doug Libla and Representative Herman Morse were on hand to present resolutions to each award recipient.