Four Ballwin-Ellisville Businesses Nominated by Chamber

The West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce has nominated three businesses from Ballwin and one from Ellisville for 2011's "Business of the Year Award," chamber representatives announced this month.

The businesses include , Nationwide Insurance under Kimberly Lanham, and the in Ballwin were nominated, along with Genghis Grill: Mongolian Stir Fry in Ellisville, just northeast of Clarkson and Clayton roads. Sam's Club also was nominated.

“All the nominees are very deserving and we appreciate all that they do for the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce,” West County Chamber of Commerce President Lori Kelling said in an email.

In order to qualify, the nominated businesses needed to have an active membership in the chamber, taking part in various chamber activities as well as roles within the community the business is located.

Winners will have their awards presented on Jan. 26 at Meadowbrook Country Club. To learn more about the role of those businesses in the community, read their bios below.

2011 Business of the Year Nominees
Editor's Note: The following descriptions were submitted by the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce.

 • Ballwin McDonalds has been a member since 1991. Ruth Baumann, marketing manager, and Gina Love, manager, participated in and sponsored the 2011 Golf Classic driving the snack cart around to all the hungry golfers.  Ballwin McDonalds also sponsored and volunteered in the 2011 Ballwin Days where they pre-served over 200 ice cream cups for our Ice Cream Sodas. Ruth and Gina volunteered at the BBQ Bash selling pretzels, donated gift items for General Membership Meetings, Business Expo and Golf Classic.  Ballwin McDonalds had Ronald McDonald come to our Business Expo handing out free cookies. Ballwin McDonalds (Ruth and Gina) actively participates in the General Membership Meetings and Business After Hours. McDonald's is currently renovating and expanding their location in Ballwin.

• Genghis Grill—The Mongolian Stir Fry has been a member since opening their location in Ellisville in 2008.  Genghis Grill has participated in and sponsored the 2011 Business Expo and Golf Classic.

Genghis Grill was our Food Sponsor for our 2011 Casino Night and hosted our West County Young Professionals Business After Hours. Genghis Grill has donated Gift Cards and Baskets for auction items and/or giveaways for Trivia Night, Golf Classic, Business Expo, Casino Night and General Membership Meetings.

Brian Durbin, owner/operator, is actively a part of the West County Young Professionals and regularly attends General Membership Meetings and Business After Hours. In 2011, Genghis Grill was honored with the Franchisee of the Year from the Corporate Executive Team in Dallas, TX.

• Nationwide Insurance—Lanham Agency has been an active member since joining the Chamber in 2008.  Lanham Agency was the Martini Luge Sponsor at the 2011 Casino Night and the Sponsor of the 2011 Golf Classic and Trivia Night.

Kim Lanham, Principal Agent, has been a Board Member since 2010, on the Ambassador committee as well as the Trivia Night and Casino Night Committees. Lanham Agency actively involves their employees in Ribbon Cuttings, General Membership Meetings, Business After Hours and First Friday Coffees.

Lanham Agency recently relocated into their beautiful new space in front of Target.

• Sam’s Club has been a member since 2008. Sam’s has been a General Membership Meeting Sponsor donating a 42” big screen TV, iPod, iPod docking station, as well as tons of other giveaways.

They sponsored the 2011 Casino Night and Trivia Night.  They volunteered and donated all the ice cream sold at the 2011 Ballwin Days. Sam’s Club has given us Sam’s Club gift cards for giveaways, attendance prizes and silent auction items for Trivia Night, Casino Night and the General Membership Meetings. Sam’s Club actively involves their employees in General Membership Meetings, First Friday Coffees and events. 

U-Gas/Dirt Cheap has been an active member since 2004.  U-Gas/Dirt Cheap has been a Major Sponsor of the Golf Classic and Trivia Night for the past five years and was the Bar Sponsor for the 2011 Casino Night.

U-Gas/Dirt Cheap is in the process of bringing . Craig Taylor, President and CEO of U-Gas/Dirt Cheap, is a dedicated member of the Chamber, active community leader, and in September joined Midwest BankCentre South County Regional Board. U-Gas/Dirt Cheap is a big supporter of the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce.