The Canterbury Hill Winery shone bright Friday evening as the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its members and initiatives at its Starlight Gala.
Members enjoyed music, food, drinks, dancing and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity for a photo op in front of a glittering golden backdrop. As the event got underway, the Chamber took the time to recognize the winners of three prestigious awards.
This year’s Scruggs Impact Award, which honors young business leaders making contributions to the community, went to local Realtor Logan Gratz.
Chamber Chairman Andy Fechtel, of Fechtel Beverage and Sales Inc., said in addition to Gratz working as a broker and auctioneer at Gratz Real Estate and Auctioneering, he is a member of the Jefferson City Area Board of Realtors, the Blair Oaks School Board and other community organizations. Gratz also frequently lends his talent as an auctioneer to charity fundraisers.
Gratz said receiving the award was an honor.
“I want to thank all of you — you all make the Chamber what it is,” Gratz said. “The great relationships that I’ve been able to build with so many people in this room — that’s what makes the chamber, that’s what makes our community. Our community is only as good as the people in it.”
The Naught Family Award, which honors an individual for civil service and positive contributions to the Jefferson City community, went to C&S Business Services’ Stephanie Lehmen.
In addition to her work with the recruitment firm, Lehmen has been active with the chamber in various roles, including as co-chair of the gala. She is also active with the East and West Side business associations, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the United Way and other local groups.
“I’m very fortunate to work for a business like CNS Employment Solutions that recognizes the importance of community involvement. I’ve served on a lot of different roles with the chamber and I enjoy every single one of them,” she said. “The Naught family is so well known in the community for their civic involvement, so I’m very, very humbled to have this award that’s named after them. I can’t say thank you enough.”
The final recognition, the William W. Quigg Award, which recognizes leadership and community service, was awarded to Joe Scheppers. Having worked for his family’s business, Scheppers Distributing Company, since 1977, he’s worked toward growth both for the company and the community.
Scheppers has worked with a variety of groups over the years, including the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, the Missouri Restaurant Association, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and more. Fechtel and his father, Bernie Fechtel, both said Scheppers was a great asset to the community and a fair competitor in the beverage distribution business.
“Just definitely get involved in this community. It gives back to you tenfold what you give to it. Be generous with both your time and your treasure. It’s all worth it in the end,” Scheppers said. “This is a great city and a great community.”
Andy Fechtel also announced the chamber’s Venture Boldly campaign — an effort to raise money to update the group’s website and branding and preserve the chamber building that was unveiled at last year’s event — had exceeded the initiative’s $200,000 goal. A $7,500 donation from the Leadership 2023 class, which was revealed Friday night, put the effort over its goal.
Chamber leaders said other fundraising efforts, including the recent Battle of the Brews, had also been successful, but those dollar amounts would be announced at a later date.
This was the third year the gala was held at the winery, a change necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic that has been well received each year. CEO and President Gary Plummer said the evening’s turnout had exceeded expectations.
Logan Gratz was the recipient of the Scruggs Family Impact Award at the annual Chamber Gala Awards Ceremony at Canterbury Hill Winery Friday night. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
Stephanie Lehmen was the Naught Family Award recipient Friday night at the annual Chamber Gala Awards Ceremony at Canterbury Hill Winery. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
Joe Scheppers was honored with with William W. Quigg Award Friday night during the annual Chamber Gala Awards Ceremony at Canterbury Hill Winery. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
Chamber Gala Awards recipients were Logan Gratz with the Scruggs Family Impact Award, Stephanie Lehmen with the Naught Family Award, and Joe Scheppers with the William W. Quigg Award.
Stephanie Lehmen was the Naught Family Award recipient Friday night at the annual Chamber Gala Awards Ceremony at Canterbury Hill Winery. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
Logan Gratz was the recipient of the Scruggs Family Impact Award at the annual Chamber Gala Awards Ceremony at Canterbury Hill Winery Friday night. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
Joe Scheppers was honored with with William W. Quigg Award Friday night during the annual Chamber Gala Awards Ceremony at Canterbury Hill Winery. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)