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2019 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
Karen Mullins • Dec 31, 2019
2019 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
The Marion Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the finalists for the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award. Keith Dickens, along with Vicki Griffin and Scott Murrie, have been nominated for this year's award. Our finalists have been nominated by fellow chamber members and selected by the Awards Committee.
Keith Dickens
believes firmly in the success of Southern Illinois. A local native and a man of faith, he was taught self-reliance at an early age and to utilize God’s gifts to 100% of your potential. He graduated from the University of Evansville in 1982 and started at Pepsi MidAmerica. While with Pepsi, he rose to the rank of Vice President and secured an additional degree in financial studies from Murray State in 1992. In the mid-90s, he left Pepsi to start his own commercial design company. Over the next twenty years he developed the company and merged it with Petter Business Systems and served as President. In 2015, he returned to Pepsi MidAmerica and now assumes the role of President.
Throughout his career, Keith has been part of numerous boards and organizations geared toward economic development and community engagement in our region. These include the Catholic Youth League Chair, Cape Girardeau Chamber Economic Development, Chairman of Church Board, Duke of Paducah, Greater Paducah Economic Development Vice Chair and Chair Elect, KY Colonel, Marion and SIL Bridge to Future, Old National Bank Advisory Board, School Board Member and Chair of Education Committee, SEMO University Foundation Board, and the Steering Committee on SI Economic Development. He is committed to local causes through Boy Scouts, Easter Seals, holiday ‘Giving Tree’ donations, Kiwanis Club, Rotary, Salvation Army, and volunteering for Heaven’s Kitchen’s Thanksgiving Meal. He also supports the local economy in his business dealings and thankful for Pepsi’s ongoing efforts to donate and support community initiatives. This includes chamber projects like Grad Spree, various golf outings, and the Community Block Party.
Dickens shares his life with his wife of 32 years, Cyndi (Crisp) and their three sons: Hunter, Harrison & Haydon. With their ongoing support, he is considered blessed to be surrounded by great people within the organizations he has been a part of. He feels this nomination is as much about his family, his team and company, and a lifelong commitment to sustain and hopefully grow our community. “Making Southern IL vibrant is a way to give back for the blessings I have received. It is also selfish, as I want my sons to live and raise their families here as well.”
Vicki Griffin
began serving the good people of Marion at 8 years old when she ran the cash register at The Uptown Kitchen, run by her Uncle Wayland. This tradition of service has defined her whole life, with her family teaching her social skills and work ethic. Growing up, she thought about becoming a pediatrician but, “my high school guidance counselor told me I should be a nurse and marry a doctor (the trouble that advice would cause now!) and as it turned out she was right!” She worked in the family business and was a Candy Striper at Marion Memorial Hospital throughout high school, attended nursing school in St Louis and came back home to take care of people she knew...the people who "raised me up".
Vicki’s mom started Jenny's Uniforms in 1972 and she was the “best dressed nurse thanks to her”. In 1995, her alter ego "Nancy Nurse" was born. For 22 years, Vicki & Nancy enjoyed talking to thousands of people about their attitude, health, laughter, and miscellaneous life lessons. When looking back on her 47 years in nursing, she feels blessed to practice and knows the Lord isn’t done with her yet. She enjoys her life with her best friend and husband of 33 years, Don. They share his 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Life is good, and retirement is not in the cards since they both love what they do, however they have managed to travel more in the past few years. She has spent the last 15 years of work in hospice, where “I appreciate how fragile and precious life is and have chosen to thank God and celebrate each day.” When asked about her award nomination, she is very honored, “I looked back at all the previous nominees and winners and they're all people I have admired and many who "raised me up". To be included in this group is humbling - I have been blessed with great family, great friends, great co-workers, and great health and to be recognized for doing what I love is overwhelming.”
Scott Murrie
moved to Marion in 1967 when he was thirteen. While his father worked on the square (at what became known as Murrie TV), Scott could be found at the Bob Stotlar Center working summers in high school and college. During high school, Scott was involved in athletics and the first Leo club at MHS. He earned a BA from Eastern Illinois College in 1972 and returned to Marion to join Palmer & Murrie Abstract. He became partner and worked there till 2013. Afterwards, he joined Title Professionals as their manager and expanded business services to 17 counties.
Murrie is very active with service organizations in Marion and served as a board officer for the Marion Salvation Army, Marion Zoning Board, Marion Lions Club, Hospice of Southern Illinois, and as past president of Franklin‐Williamson Human Services (now Centerstone). He has coached and mentored area youth for over 10 years with the Marion Basketball Association and Marion Youth Baseball Program. He is proud to be on the task force that will bring the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Inc. program to Marion in 2020. A Marion Chamber of Commerce member for over 40 years, Scott served on their board for 12 years. He is actively involved with the BNI STAR networking organization in Marion, where he recently served as president.
Scott shares his passion for community with his wife, Monica McGinley Murrie, a local real estate broker. Their son Andrew Murrie and wife Kelly are attorneys who practice and live in the Alton/St. Louis area with their children William and Anna. He enjoys being a stepdad to Libby and Ryan McGinley. Known for his high energy and warm personality, Scott enjoys travel, boating, golfing, and socializing with friends and business acquaintances. Scott is an avid sports fan who enjoys cheering on his favorite local and professional teams, most especially his beloved St. Louis Cardinals!
He is grateful for the award nomination and opportunity to serve the Marion community, “Both my parents worked hard and developed a strong work ethic in me. Be a good steward of the community and give freely of your time.“
The first Lifetime Achievement Award was given in 1985 to August L. Fowler. Last year’s winners were Jim & Linda Byassee and Cathy Moehring. Past winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award can be viewed at https://www.marionillinois.com/award-winners.html.
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