Honoring Leadership, Celebrating Community

More than 400 business leaders attended the Jefferson City Area Chamber of 
Commerce’s Annual Gala and Awards on September 10 at Capital Bluffs Event Center. With a “250 Years of America” theme, the evening celebrated the past year’s accomplishments while reflecting on the Chamber’s role in Jefferson City’s progress for more than a century.

The Chamber’s history dates back to 1893, with the founding of the Commercial Club under its first board president, A.P. Grimshaw. Grimshaw, like his father Jonathan, served as mayor of Jefferson City before helping establish the club.

One of its first significant projects was building the first
bridge across the Missouri River. The toll was eliminated after the bridge was transferred to the State of Missouri.

In 1917, the Commercial Club changed its charter to the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce. An early transportation project was purchasing property to develop the city’s first airport, which eventually evolved into Jefferson City Memorial Airport in 1947. The Chamber later focused its economic development agenda on manufacturing expansions from the 1960s through the 1980s.

In the early 1990s, the Chamber purchased nearly 300 acres to develop Partnership Park, supporting Scholastic’s relocation and expansion to Algoa Road. The park now houses Scholastic and five additional manufacturing facilities. The Chamber also purchased more than 400 acres on the city’s west side for state offices and other development.

Led by the Site Development Review Board, Chamber members funded about half the land purchases, with a lead contribution from Union Electric, now Ameren, and local banks financing the balance. A subsequent sale to the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System helped develop land along Wildwood and West Edgewood drives.

he late Bill Quigg, president of Central Bank and the Chamber’s 1968 chair, played a key behind-the-scenes role in the financing plan. Widely regarded as one of Jefferson City’s most influential business leaders, Quigg was unanimously selected as the first Jeffersonian Award recipient in 1997. The award honored a local civic leader’s lifetime contributions. Quigg died later that year, and the award was renamed in his honor the following year.

ormer Mayor C. Forrest “Red” Whaley received the first William W. Quigg Award in 1998. The 2026 recipient, David Turner, spent more than 40 years building Hawthorn Bank, serving as president, CEO, and chairman. He held leadership roles in the Chamber, United Way, Missouri Bankers Association, and Scouting America's Great Rivers Council.

Another annual honor, the Naught Family Award, recognizes someone who goes above and beyond in community service. Originally the Meritorious Civic Service Award, it was renamed in 2023 after the Naught family made a lead gift toward refurbishing the Chamber building at 213 Adams Street.

This year’s recipient, Renee Duenckel of Central Bank, was recognized for her service to the Chamber, United Way, and West Side Business Association. Duenckel is also credited with founding WomenConnect, a new Chamber affiliate.

The Scruggs Impact Award was also named in recognition of a significant contribution to the Chamber building campaign. Originally the Fast Forward Award, recognizing an emerging community leader, it was first presented in 2011 to Stephanie Bell, now a partner in Ellinger Bell. The 2026 recipient was Joe Klebba of Legends Bank for his leadership with the Blue Tigers Athletic Club, East Side Business Association, St. Peter School, and Housing Authority of Jefferson City.

Like the Chamber, the Gala has evolved. Traditionally a formal winter affair, it moved to Canterbury Hill Winery in September 2021 during the pandemic and became more casual. Capital Bluffs Event Center hosted the September 2025 and 2026 galas. Regardless of the chosen venue, the Chamber Annual Gala continues to honor outstanding business leadership and civic engagement. That community spirit certainly sets Jefferson City apart.