The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois welcomed a capacity crowd of 475 for its 2023 Salute to Southwestern Illinois Annual Awards Dinner at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon, Illinois on Tuesday, March 28. The event celebrated the Leadership Council’s 40th anniversary, honored businesses and communities who are expanding and reinvesting in our region, as well as recognized several of our military partners who have made outstanding innovating contributions to their units. The night concluded with an exciting presentation by Troy Rutherford from The Boeing Company, sharing progress of the MQ-25 Stingray facility under construction next to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in St. Clair County.
To mark the Council’s 40th Anniversary, the Legacy Award was presented to Ameren Illinois, The Korte Company, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – the three entities that came together in 1983 to form the Leadership Council.
Longtime members Bruce Holland, Mike Riley, and Dennis Wilmsmeyer were presented with the Presidential Service Award to thank them for their years of service to the organization.
The following were recipients of the 2023 Salute to Southwestern Illinois Award:
• Alton Steel, Inc. – Major Reinvestment
• The Boeing Company – St. Clair County Expansion
• Tyson Foods – Caseyville Plant Expansion
• City of Belleville – Economic Development
• Village of Glen Carbon – Economic Development
• St. Clair County – Retention of SAFB C-40s Mission
• Military Partner Awards
375th Air Mobility Wing – TSgt Matthew Sabo
932nd Airlift Wing – MSgt Jeffrey McGrath
126th Air Refueling Wing – SMSgt David Kosmopolis & MSgt David Wolfe
635th Supply Chain Operations Wing – Maj John Vogel
US Coast Guard – PO Tanner Denaro
