Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley will be honored with the 2009 Missourian Award at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, Mo. Presented by the American Heart Association, the Missourian Award is given annually to nominees who have made an outstanding contribution to their state or nation in civics, business, education, politics or the arts. Mayor Presley will become part of a long legacy of honorees who have contributed to the betterment of their communities. Governor Jay Nixon is the Honorary Chairman of the Missourian Award.
Thirteen men and women will be honored this year at the 16th annual awards banquet. Proceeds for this annual event are to benefit the American Heart Association.
“These awardees have dedicated their lives to making their communities and this state better by their diligent work and their charitable ideals,” said Kevin Harker, Executive Vice President of the American Heart Association, Heartland Affiliate. “We applaud their accomplishments, celebrate their award, and appreciate their commitment.”
Elected in April 2007, Raeanne Presley is serving her second term as Branson’s mayor. She is co-owner of Presley’s Country Jubilee Theater, which was the first music theater to open on the world famous Highway 76 “strip”.
Ms. Presley has over 30 years experience in the travel industry and is the immediate past chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission. She is active in the Branson community having served on the Branson Board of Aldermen, on the Skaggs Community Health Center Board of Directors, the Springfield/Branson Airport Board and numerous other civic boards.
She and her husband Steve have three children who work and perform at their theater.
Other 2009 award recipients from southwest Missouri include Frederick McQueary, board chairman and chairman emeritus, McQueary Brothers Drug Company in Springfield; Neil Wortley, CoxHealth administrator emeritus; Dr. Patricia Dix, a perinatologist at CoxHealth and Bradley Bradshaw, a Springfield lawyer and trained physician and surgeon.
Late Lebanon businessman Robert Plaster, president and chairman of the board of Evergreen Investments LLC, will receive the award posthumously.
Past Missourian honorees have included such stalwart individuals as newsman Walter Cronkite, developer John Q. Hammons and Bass Pro Shops founder John L. Morris.
“Missourians are among the top business leaders, educators, statesmen, writers and artists in our country,” said Ralph Slavens, Chairman and Founder of the Missourian Awards Committee. “This year’s winners have achieved greatness.”
Tickets for the Missourian Award are $125 per person or $250 per couple. The Event at the Capital Plaza Hotel begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. dinner and awards ceremony. Master of ceremonies is Michael Nietzel, President of Missouri State University.
For more information, call 417-887-1587 or 636-938-1100.
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