Cape Girardeau Chamber honors business leaders, announces awards at annual dinner
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce recognized local business leaders and organizations during its 2026 Annual Dinner held Friday, March 20, at the Show Me Center.
The event celebrated achievements within the regional business community, highlighted long-standing Chamber members and marked a transition in board leadership.
During the ceremony, the Chamber — joined by Sen. Jamie Burger and Rep. John Voss — presented five annual awards:
Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. Award: The Honorable Peter Kinder was recognized for decades of public service, including his tenure as Missouri’s 46th lieutenant governor and his advocacy for Southeast Missouri’s business climate.
Drury Family Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award: Awarded posthumously to Hilary F. Schmittzehe, founder of VIP Industries, for his leadership in providing vocational training and employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Small Business of the Year: Busch Pet Products and owner Stacy Busch-Heisserer were honored for innovation and community involvement, including the “Howie’s Harvest” initiative.
Young Professional of the Year: Jared Ritter, broker/owner of Ritter Real Estate and founder of the Be Bright Conference, was recognized for leadership in real estate and service on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education.
Ambassador of the Year: Raechel Cantoni was honored for her efforts in membership recruitment and retention, attending 54 events and helping welcome more than 100 new members in 2025.
The Chamber also recognized members reaching milestone anniversaries. Cape Girardeau County Abstract & Title Co. and Shivelbine’s Music Store, Inc. were honored for 75 years of membership. Drury Hotels Company, Port Cape Girardeau and Saint Francis Healthcare System were recognized for 50 years. Eleven organizations were honored for 25 years of continuous membership, including Adkisson Insurance Agency, Broadtek, Cape Girardeau County, Columbia Construction Corporation, Cory’s Ace Hardware, FCC Behavioral Health, Gerdan Slipforming Inc., Innovative Idea Integration LLC, Rust Communications, Silver Springs Surgery Center LLC and St. Andrew Lutheran Church.
The evening concluded with the Chamber’s annual leadership transition. Chris Hutson of Merrill Lynch завершed his term as 2025 board chair, citing membership growth and active programming during the year. Chris Horrell, owner of Bug Zero, was introduced as the 2026 board chair and encouraged members to stay engaged through networking and advocacy efforts.
The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization focused on strengthening the regional economy and improving quality of life in Southeast Missouri through advocacy and workforce development.
