Clayton Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Dinner

The Clayton Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Awards Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, Thursday, February 12, 2015. Cocktails began at 6:00 PM followed by the dinner and program at 7:00 PM. Tom Ackerman, KMOX 1120 sports director, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Tickets cost $130 per person.

Evening festivities commenced honoring the immediate past president, Rebecca Boyer, for her dedicated service during 2014.Tom Ackerman joined new chamber president Kate Becker on stage. After acknowledging Boyer, Ackerman officially announced the recipients of the 2014 Annual Awards: Mark J. Schnuck, The DESCO Group, Business Person of the Year; Wolken Family Denistry, Excellence in Retail/Service, accepted by Dr. Christopher Wolken and his father, Dr. Steve Wolken; and Concordia Seminary, the Cornerstone Award, accepted by the Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president.

The Clayton Chamber of Commerce proudly recognized these businesses and individuals for their outstanding achievements, contributions and commitment to Clayton.From humble beginnings in a one-room log cabin, Concordia Seminary has come a long way! When founded in 1839 by German immigrants south of St. Louis, the school educated both children and adults. Today, the world-class institution offers graduate-level and professional training programs in the name of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Graduates number more than 12,000 pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars, and other church leaders.

Dr. Donald J. Wolken established The Wolken Family Denistry in 1939. He set up a small office at 33 North Meramec and shared a waiting room with a young physician.

The practice grew slowly. During World War II, Dr. Wolken became a dental officer with MASH units in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Switzerland. He returned home after 2 1/2 years to resume his career.

In 1974, Dr. Stephen F. Wolken joined the practice and, like his father, became very involved in the community. Dr. Steve served on the Clayton Chamber of Commerce Board when it expanded its involvement in Clayton, by adding Parties in the Park and the Saint Louis Art Fair. Dr. Steve maintained a developing practice while serving on the Clayton Board of Aldermen for six years, Vice President of Clayton Rotary, and President of Clayton Optimist Club.

During 2003, the practice grew to include a son, Dr. Chris Wolken as the first member of the third generation. In 2007, the Wolkens opened a new state-of-the-art dental treatment facility at 8888 Ladue Road, featuring approximately 5,000 square feet of space with the most advanced dental technology available. Dr. Andy Wolken, the second member of the third generation, joined his father and brother in 2008 to continue delivering the quality dental care the community has experienced for 75 years.

Mark Schnuck, president and chief executive officer of The DESCO Group, has the largest retail property management firm in the St. Louis region. DESCO oversees a portfolio of retail, office and industrial properties exceeding 12 million square feet populated by more than 500 tenant companies covering nine states.

The DESCO Group has forged a national footprint since its founding in St. Louis as an independent company in 1993. It previously functioned as the real estate development enterprise for Schnuck Markets, Inc., one of the largest independent supermarket chains in the Midwest. DESCO’s 85-member staff includes development, construction management, and brokerage asset management specialists.

DESCO currently is advancing projects in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Arizona. Recent launches in Schnuck’s home state consist of the transformative redevelopment of the 66,000 square-foot Colonial Marketplace mixed-use property on Maryland Avenue, Clayton and Ladue, plus a pair of retail centers-the 71,000 square-foot Schnucks Lindenwood in St. Charles and the 77,000 square-foot Schnucks Farmington in Farmington.

Schnuck has logged a long and distinguished record of community service. He served as past chairman of the St. Louis Zoo Commission, the st. Louis Zoo Foundation, the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Fair St. Louis Foundation. He remains a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the St. Louis Zoo Commission, Community School Board of Trustees, and John Burroughs School Board of Trustees.

A common theme extended to all of these recipients: a commitment to service and community. The Wolkens and the Schnucks began with small businesses that now have served St. Louis for over 75 years. Each family has participated in or led many community efforts.

Concordia Seminary, similarly, evolved from humble origins to an institution that appeals to a changing world. Its various disciplines feature culturally relevant curriculua like the dual Masters of Social Work/Master in Deaconess Studies with Saint Louis University. The institution also has worked to minimize its ecological footprint. Buildings contain eco-friendly upgrades. Every tree that falls is replaced with at least three more, and composting is applied widely. Finally, vegetables and herbs planted on the grounds supplement the campus food service and remain available to Clayton neighbors.