The Award of Excellence is given to an individual or group who has gone above and beyond to serve the Marion community. The first Award of Excellence was given in 1994 to Leo Dingrando.



Cornerstone Church is a church with passion, vision, and a strong desire to “Help People Follow Jesus.” Michael Nave was called as Lead Pastor in 2007 and believes God has called him to commit his life to the ministry of this church.

Cornerstone desires to equip and inspire people to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities, which is illustrated by their generosity as well as the popularity of projects and community partnerships, such as “ServeSoILL”, a region-wide service project. The restorative ministry of Cornerstone’s Renew: Secondhand Stores (in Marion and Carbondale), is another great example of Cornerstone’s community involvement. These stores provide low-cost items to area citizens, while also funneling their profits right back into their communities. One of the ministries funded by Renew is called Kingdom Builders, which is comprised of volunteers who can do construction-related jobs, with the most popular project request being constructing wheelchair ramps for individuals who need accessible entrances to their houses.

Cornerstone Church is honored to be part of the vibrant community in Marion. This recognition of their efforts is received with humility by the leadership of the church with the knowledge that none of this would be possible without God, volunteers from the church, and strong relationships with local partners.

Southern Illinois Miners and Jayne Simmons.

Jayne Simmons is an American business owner and entrepreneur. She is President of AltonWorks, a development and social impact company in Alton, IL, and the former owner of the Southern Illinois Miners professional baseball team. Jayne manages her family’s business interests, investments and was active in the creation and operation of the national law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy.

Under the leadership of Jayne Simmons, the Miners led the Frontier League in attendance each of the franchise’s first four seasons, having been named “Frontier League Organization of the Year” three times (2007, 2009 & 2010) and captured the franchise’s first Frontier League Championship after the 2012 season. The Miners’ state-of-the-art home facility, Rent One Park, was constructed for the team’s inaugural season and saw a Frontier League record 259,392 fans come through the gates in 2007. The Southern Illinois Miners concluded their 2021 season with a 7-3 victory over the Gateway Grizzlies at Rent One Park in Marion, finishing with a record of 54 wins and 42 losses. Jayne and her husband, John retired from Fronteir League baseball ownership in 2021.

The Simmons’ commitment to excellence has been illustrated by the growth of the community, hundreds of jobs and the caliber of the 60 players the team has sent to Major League Organizations. The team’s .574 winning percentage ranked first in league history for teams that have lasted more than one season.

The Simmons’ investment in the team and stadium has been a contributing factor to both Marion’s and the surrounding communities’ economic growth. Since 2007, four new hotels have opened as have dozens of locally owned and operated restaurants, businesses and miles and miles of connecting interstate that helped to fuel the economic growth of the community. 

Jayne was part of the original investment group that purchased Alton Steel, Inc. Her involvement in the project helped bring more than 300 jobs to Alton. She, and her husband John, sold Alton Steel to the employees in 2019 after it became a growing and profitable steel company.

Jayne is active in a variety of community organizations and not-for-profit charities. She grew up in Roxana, Illinois. She attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and achieved a degree in business management from St. Leo University in Florida. 

Jayne currently lives in Alton with John, their four children and grandchildren. 

Award Sponsor

The Young Professional Leadership Award honors individuals who demonstrate excellence and initiative in their business or profession and are under the age of 40. Nominees are submitted by the membership, then the finalists and winner are selected by the Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee. The first Young Professional Leadership Award was given in 2010 to Meredith Ashe.  2020 award honoree is Dalus Downs.

About Maci McCurdy

Maci McCurdy is the owner of Magpie Market House located on Main Street in Downtown Marion.

In 2016, Maci, alongside her husband Cameron, created the vision for what is now Magpie Market House.

After opening the doors to Magpie Market House in December of 2016, Maci & Cameron have enjoyed being part of the downtown community & seeing revitalization take place over the last few years. In 2018, the retail shop branched out and held the first event “Magpie Market Days”, a vintage market featuring over 80 makers & artisans from over 14 states. The events are held at the Williamson County Fairgrounds. To date, Magpie Market Days has completed 7 market events, each one drawing an average of 11,000 people per event weekend to the downtown area. Planning is underway for an additional 3 events in 2022! Maci hopes to be a part of Marion’s wonderful small business community for many years to come & is humbled and honored to be considered for the Chamber’s Young Professional award.

Award Sponsor

The Distinguished Chamber Member Award honors a Chamber member who has made significant contributions to the community through the Marion Chamber of Commerce and demonstrates personal

and professional leadership in the community. Award finalists and winner were selected by the members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee. The first Distinguished Member Award was given in

1959 to Dr. James Felts. The 2020 award honoree is Jared Garrison.

Janet Jensen is a Cobden native but has lived in Florida, Connecticut and Idaho before returning to Southern Illinois. She is happy to call Marion her home for the last several years. Since returning to Southern Illinois she has worked in the radio industry both as an Account Representative for Zimmer Radio Group and as a General Manager for Withers Broadcasting. She currently works as the Director of Marketing and Human Resources for Auto Credit of Southern Illinois. Janet is a proud mother to two beautiful daughters (Melissa and Miranda) and a Nonnie to 4 delightful Grandchildren. Holden, Elijah, Kaitlyn and Amir. 

Jensen attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she received a degree in social work. She was also awarded ‘Advisor of the Year’ from Utah State University and is a member of the ‘Women Rising Above the Ranks’ from the National Radio Bureau. Her volunteer work includes the Southern Illinois Hospice, the Southern Illinois Kiwanis as a Past Distinguished Lt Governor, the Past Distinguished President of Marion Kiwanis, Recipient of a Hixson Award from Kiwanis, Past President of the Board of Directors for TLC of Central and Southern Illinois, and an Active Member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel church. She is President Elect for Daughters of Mary and past Board member of Daughters of Mary.

She is extremely involved with the Marion Chamber of Commerce and cherishes the friends she has made and the opportunities she has been given within the Chamber to serve the Marion community. Her service includes a member of the Board of Directors where she was Board Chair in 2018. Her committee involvement includes Membership, Marketing, Sister City, Annual Dinner, Nominations, Award, Finance, Remuneration and Co-Chair of the Live2Lead committee. She has also been a part of the Golf Tournament and the Scholarship Committee.

“It's very humbling for me to be nominated for this award. I enjoy the Chamber and working within this organization to serve the Marion community. The Chamber Community is like family to me. I'm here to do what I can to help the Chamber and its members.”

Award Sponsor

The Citizen of the Year Award honors an individual who has shown significant contribution to our community and who excelled in a field outside of the Chamber. Award finalists and winner were selected by the members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee. The first Citizen of the Year Award was given in 1970 to Clara Boatright. The 2020 award honoree is Amanda Throgmorton.

About Jeremy Pinkston

Jeremy Pinkston is originally from Harrisburg but has called Marion home for nearly 30 years. He attended Southeastern Illinois College and then SIU where his education led to focus on Economics and Finance. Jeremy resides in the historic district of South Market, “on the brick”, in Marion with his wife of 17 years Randi, and their two children Carly and Jed. In early 2008 joined a new business in Marion (opened 4 months prior) as Marketing Director. The rest is history, as they say…

Jeremy has been the lead behind the marketing, community, and charitable endeavors of a company called Black Diamond Harley-Davidson. Whether it be the 1000’s of fundraisers or the multitude of events that have been implemented over 15 years at Black Diamond Jeremy has been the force behind it all.

He is a member if the Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board and on committees for the SI Now initiative as well as several other local community programs.

Award Sponsor

The Distinguished Business Award honors a business that has made significant contributions to the community. The recipient must be a member of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Award finalists and winner

were selected by the members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee. The first Distinguished Business Award was given in 2017 to Clearwave Communications. The 2020 award honoree is Fowler Heating and Cooling.

Pepsi MidAmerica

Pepsi MidAmerica (PMA) was founded by Mr. Harry L Crisp in 1936, Mr. Crisp owned Marion Poultry and Hatchery on 1005 S. Court Street in Marion, IL. Mr. Crisp decided to put the soda on the trucks and said ‘if the soda sells, he will keep it’. In 1938 he moved the business to Marion Poultry and Hatchery and from there, PMA has grown. We have so much more to offer than just beverages and snacks, PMA prides itself in its community involvement. We support local events such as Williamson County Fair, Herrin Festa Italiana, The Du Quoin State Fair, and more. PMA supports local schools by providing them with the opportunity to earn money through the Collect the Caps program. In addition to this, we support schools by providing them with giveaway items for back-to-school events and sporting events; we also participate in local parades to give out product and candy. The Marion Sports complex was supported through a substantial donation from Pepsi MidAmerica and we are a sponsor for the Marion High School. We are an exclusive sponsor for the Marion Civic Center and Pavilion, and we have teamed up with Black Diamond Harley Davidson on multiple events in Southern Illinois. PMA provides employment to over 1200 individuals across Southern Illinois, Central Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Pepsi MidAmerica offers more than bottled and canned products; we offer products through fountain, full line vending, and micro markets. Fountain drinks can be purchased through local restaurants, fast food chains, and convenient stores. Fountain drinks provide consumers with a fresh crisp taste of our product. If you’re unable to go to the store but want a beverage or snack, look for our full line vending machines; this is a one stop option to enjoy our beverages and snacks. We bring the convenience one step further with our Micro Market option. Our micro market offers fresh coffee, lunch and snack items, beverages, and a self-check out option. For a healthier option, the consumer can enjoy an ice-cold water from our 5-gallon Natural streams water. PMA will continue to support the community through local events, donations, and through ensuring our product is available to anyone.

Award Sponsor

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who have shown dedication and achievement in a professional capacity for 30 years or more. Nominees were submitted by the Chamber members and honorees

were selected by the members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee. The first Lifetime Achievement Award was given in 1985 to August L. Fowler. 2020 honorees include Tom Logan and Joe & Toni Hayes.

John Markley is responsible for the leadership and operational oversight of Centerstone’s clinical divisions, specialized services, as well as strategic business development and fiscal accountability. Centerstone is the largest community-based behavioral healthcare provider in Southern Illinois and one of the top five largest not-for-profit behavioral health organizations in the state, employing more than 700 staff in Illinois and serving more than 14,000 individuals across the state annually. Centerstone helps children, adolescents, adults, seniors, and their families who suffer from a myriad of behavioral health challenges, providing a full range of mental health services, substance use treatment, intellectual and developmental disability services, housing, educational services and community supports for people of all ages.

During Markley’s leadership, Centerstone in Illinois has grown from an agency primarily serving two counties, to an organization expanding across eight primary Southern Illinois counties and has services across five other states. The most recent expansion of services occurred with the merger of Fellowship House in January of 2020.

Markley has served on several national and statewide boards and is currently a member of several state and national associations. 

Markley began his behavioral health career in 1985 as a staff accountant, and was promoted to Director of Financial Services, then to CFO in 1987, and finally Regional CEO in 2006. He received his bachelor’s of science in criminal justice and in accounting from Murray State University, and master’s in business administration from Century University in New Mexico. Markley has been married to his wife, Tracey, for 38 years and they have four children.

Hill Printing and Office Supply Company

Few can remember a time without Hill Printing on the Square in Marion and serving the needs of the southern Illinois region. In the early years of the twentieth century, the Stafford Printing Company was located on the east side of Tower Square and served the growing population of our community with book and printing services.

In 1921, Ralph Hill purchased Stafford Printing Company and renamed it to Hill Printing. They remained on Tower Square through the Great Depression and World War II and in 1947 moved to 109 S Jackson Ave (behind Bainbridge Jewelry Co. and close to the Orpheum Theater) By this time, Ralph’s son John and his wife Eleanor had joined the family business and continued to run it until their retirement in 1967. Under the new owners, James and Marless Doughty, the business moved to the northwest side of Tower Square (110 Jackson North, formally known as North Jackson Ave) and its current location. Through the 1990s they provided printing for commercial, wedding, and event needs – along with books binding, office supplies and copy service. Around 1995, Jackson North was renamed to Print Ave – the street we know today as the home of Hill Printing. 

During this time, Earl and Rita Sigley were living in Makanda and working at the Carbondale Herald. With a desire to live closer to Rita’s parents, the couple moved to Johnston City and started looking for a new business opportunity. Through the help of Bart Basi, the Sigley’s learned about Hill Printing and the opportunity to purchase it – which they did on May 12th 1998. 

Over the last 23 years, Hill Printing has stayed a close-knit family business with Earl working the presses and Rita handling graphics and business operations. Kathleen (Katy) Walker is the CFO and finisher. The current owners are proud to continue Hill Printing’s long tradition of service to the residents and businesses in Marion.

Award Sponsor