News

2008 BESI Award Recipients

Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan is one of Marshall's biggest promoters. He is a true ambassador of the community. The activities and involvement mentioned here is only a small example of Jim's lifelong dedication to community service and economic development. 

Jim has been an active participant in economic development for over 25 years. He served on the Marshall City Council from 1981 to 2003.  He was instrumental in bringing the companies of Heartland Labels and Doric Products to Marshall.

Jim is a founding member of the Marshall in Motion organization. The organization was formed in 1997 by a group of volunteers to build upon Marshall's strong points and improve upon its weaknesses. Following a short disbandment, Jim reorganized the group with the focus shifting to three major goals: recreation, tourism and economic development. Through recommendations of the organization, a recreation program for area youth was created, a city web site was developed and a part-time Economic Development Director for the city was hired. Jim also developed the Marshall Pride Award, given to those who have made exceptional contributions through volunteering in Marshall.

His tireless efforts do not stop at the Marshall city limits. He is very active in the Clark County Trails Coalition. This past December, Jim and a couple of other volunteers worked for hours to recondition used bicycles to give to needy children in the area for Christmas. He also offered his assistance to the Coalition and CAMA (Coalition against Methamphetamine Abuse) for the CAMA Teens Park to Park to Park Edgar to Clark Bike Rally to raise funds for CAMA's fight against meth. He assisted in the Safe Routes to School grant application process and helped to bring Lake Land College to Marshall.  He is a member of the Marshall Leadership Team and continues to volunteer at other community events.

John Inyart

John Inyart is the owner of Midas Auto Service Experts in Charleston and Mattoon and the Mayor of Charleston.  In 1990, John opened the Midas franchise store in Charleston and in 1996 expanded to Mattoon.  In 2006, his Charleston store was awarded the South Central Midas Dealer of the Year Award.  The Charleston store has also been rated the highest in consumer relations in all of North America and they have the highest sales volume in the Midwest.  Due to John's dedication to continuous training and employee respect, his Midas stores are always providing the best, up to date services for their customers.

Midas Auto Service Experts is a member of both the Charleston and Mattoon Chambers of Commerce with John serving as Vice President for 2 years.  John is also an active community volunteer.  He has been a part of the Lincoln Fire Protection District and was the past President of the Jaycees.  Because of his strong involvement with the Jaycees, he was the recipient of the C. William Brownfield award recognizing his passion for his community.

In 2005, John became the Mayor of Charleston.  Through his position, he has been very proactive in bettering the Charleston community.  He supports intergovernmental relationships between Charleston and Mattoon, sits on the Coles Together Board of Directors, participates with Coles Connected, Coles County Regional Planning and is active in the External Relations Committee and the President's Cabinet with Eastern Illinois University. 

John has worked with the city staff to help with projects that will not only affect Charleston, but also surrounding communities.  Examples of these projects are the Buxton Retail Development study, offering Charleston's water sources to help bring FutureGen to the area, collaborating with the Mattoon Public Works and Fire Departments to provide the best possible service for the citizens of both communities and the remodeling of Charleston's City.

Journal Gazette - Times Courier

The Journal Gazette-Times Courier, the local newspaper for Mattoon, Charleston and Coles County, has stepped-up to the plate in making Coles County a better place to live.

Four years ago, Carl Walworth, publisher of the paper, invited several community and business leaders together to form a steering committee whose purpose was for the betterment of Coles County.  The group wanted to provide a broad basis for working together with shared values that would lead to an enthusiastic and prosperous community.  These efforts led to recognition of outstanding citizens and a forum for leadership development. 

The steering committee, Coles Connected, began meeting and established the "20 under 40", an award recognizing the up and coming individuals who have not yet reached 40 years of age that were nominated by their peers.  The "Jefferson Awards" was established to bring recognition to volunteers who are the unsung heroes in Coles County. Along with these recognition programs, Coles Connected established "Community Leaders Breakfasts" which featured motivational and inspiring speakers and a forum for members of the community to come together and meet on a quarterly basis.  Carl and the Journal-Gazette have spear-headed all of these initiatives without payment, but with the reward of knowing that it was having a positive impact on their community.

Members of the Journal Gazette-Times Courier staff volunteer their time for more than 15 different civic organizations ranging from Rotary, Catholic Charities, the local homeless shelter to the literacy program.  They were a major supporter of the FutureGen project and continue to support many local economic development efforts including Coles Together.

Past BESI Award Winners
N.W. (Bud) Althoff  " E.C. Bauer " James and Robert Bitzer " CHI Overhead Doors " Citizens National Bank of Paris  " Noreen Connolly, OCE Imaging Supply  " Consolidated Communications " Max Cougill  " Doehring Winders & Co. LLP " First Mid Illinois Bank and Trust  " The First National Bank in Toledo " The First National Bank of Pana  " Sara Holmes  " William Hopper, First Trust Bank  " Imperial Bondware  " Edward H. "Ned" Jenison  " Frank Kabbes " Kingery Printing Company  " Carl Koerner, Koerner Distributors, Inc. " Leach-Wilson Chevrolet-Buick " Lenders Bagels and Employees " Melvin C. Lockard " Joyce A. Madigan  " Marathon Pipe Line Company  " Newlin Martin, Martin's IGA  " Jim McDaniel, Effingham Truck Sales  " Dr. George Mitchell " The Monahan Family, The Monahan  Company/First National Bank in Arcola  " Jerry Moon  " Mooney Motors, Inc.  " Delbert D. Mundt " Old School Esshaus " Petro/Iron Skillet Restaurant " Don Portugal, S & K " Jerry J. Ray, Schrock Cabinet Co. " R.R. Donnelley and Sons " Roger Roberson, Roberson Corporation " Rowe Foundry and Machine Co. and Employees " John M. (Jack) Schultz " Jim Short " Siemer Milling Company " Simonton Windows " State Bank of Arthur " U.S. Soy " Victor Products (Dana Corporation) " Dr. Robert D. Webb " Bob Willenborg " Dr. Rick Workman " Wright's Furniture " Don Yost