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August 2026
A newsletter about and for the Members of THE CHAMBER THAT HAS IT ALL!
| | We need YOUR help! To continue this newsletter, we need more news! Fill out this form to be featured in the next newsletter. | | Welcome to the official newsletter of the Kirkwood - Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce! This monthly newsletter is created to bring together the stories, milestones, and achievements that our community has made. From our business and member highlights to membership benefits, this is the place to stay connected to the progress of our area and updates within our Chamber. | | |
This month's newsletter is
brought to you by:
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MEMBER NEWS
Your go-to place for highlights, announcements, milestones, and noteworthy news that have been shared with The Chamber.
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Alzheimer's Association
We reached 12,616 people!
The Alzheimer's Association of MO exceeded our goal of educating 12,500 people in the state of Missouri in fiscal year 2026. This was in part to a team of dedicated volunteers and community partners/businesses who invited us in to their space to share information on brain health, warning signs, treatment of Alzheimer's and caregiver education!
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Shaka McCorminck
DayansBalance
DayansBalance is pleased to announce their new location in Maplewood.
7508 Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood.
There is now better parking, a better location and all with the same fantastic service.
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Beth Whitworth
Accounting with Confidence
Accounting with Confidence has been selected as one of three finalists for the US Xero Partner Awards in the Mid-Size Firm of the Year category! They have worked hard to find an alternative to Intuit/QuickBooks products and landed on Xero in 2024. They now support both QBO and Xero and our Xero client base is growing!
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Mike Swaleh
Fairway Home Mortgage
Congratulations to Fairway Home Mortgage! They were recently recognized by USA TODAY for its people-first approach to technology. The feature showcases how Fairway continues to invest in innovative tools while keeping employees, customers, and relationships at the center of everything they do!
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YMCA Kirkwood
Go For Green Program
Kirkwood Family YMCA campers made waves this summer through our Go for Green program, building confidence and water safety skills. Thanks to support from our community, local businesses, and Annual Campaign donors, 28 campers received swim lessons that helped them learn, grow, and thrive.
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Meredith Berwick
Weigl Jackson
Weigl Jackson welcomes a new labor & employment attorney. Meredith Berwick is an expert in navigating the liability and exposure of a businesses' legal liability to their employees. Meredith successfully served as an EEOC Senior Trial Attorney and spent several years in private practice. Our team and our clients are lucky to have her on board!
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Brock Meiborg
Pioneer Wealth Management
Congratulations to Brock on officially earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mizzou! Brock completed his internship with Pioneer Wealth Management this summer, fulfilling the final requirement for his degree. We're proud to have been part of his journey and wish him continued success!
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Kyle Bishop
Show Me Blinds
Show Me Blinds & Shutters is proud to announce the hiring of Kyle Bishop, a Webster Groves graduate, to lead field installations and ensure high-quality service for clients. Bishop was quoted as saying, "I look forward to helping the company expand its installation capabilities and deliver exceptional results to our clients."
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Eileen McCaffrey Hedrick
Martha's Hands
We are honored that our Nurse Founder, Eileen McCaffrey Hedrick, was named a 2026 Home-Based Care Momentum Award winner in Impact and Innovation. For the past 29 years, Eileen has guided the Home Care Industry here in St. Louis. Her innovative Nurse Care Manager model provides the highest level of care in the homes. She has led Martha's Hands in providing over seven million hours of care to over 8,000 clients and families. Congratulations Eileen!
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Dr. Gina Bowers
Vista Dermatology
We are thrilled to share that Dr. Gina Bowers is joining the team at Vista Dermatology! Dr. Bowers brings nearly two decades of dedicated private practice experience to Vista, having cared for patients across the region since 2007. She was selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2026, representing the top 7% of physicians in the country.
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Ranyah Carmack
Keyrenter Property Management
Help Keyrenter STL West welcome Ranyah Carmack as our new Assistant Property Manager. Ranyah will play an important role in supporting our property management operations and helping us continue to provide the responsive, reliable service you expect.! Welome Ranyah!
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New Retail Showroom
Auto Trim Restyling
Auto Trim Restyling is proud to announce the opening of our new retail showroom. Come check out our premium automotive products, including custom interiors, wheels and tires, window tinting, electronics systems installation, spray-in truck bedliners, and more. We look forward to being the community's single source vehicle customization center!
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The Kaufman Fund
The Kaufman Fund's Ralph Kaufman Memorial Golf Tournament Sets New Record
The Kaufman Fund's sold-out Ralph Kaufman Memorial Golf Tournament on July 20 was the most successful in its history. A moving speech by retired CSM Rick Elcan highlighted the power of service and volunteering. Thanks to our sponsors, golfers, and donors, more Veterans will receive life-changing support..
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Jeff Koziatek
Core Authenticity
Speaker Jeff Koziatek with Core Authenticity, earned perfect 5.0 ratings on content, delivery, and applicability on a recent Vistage presentation. 100% of attendees said they would recommend him, describing Jeff as an “excellent communicator” who delivered “energetic and real-world application” while keeping the group engaged until the end.
Congratulations Jeff!
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Katie Max
Transitions for Senior Living
Transitions for Senior Living is excited to welcome newest team member Katie Max, Senior Family Advocate. Katie has been helping Seniors and their families for over a decade. When not helping clients and their families, she loves spending time with her two great daughters. We are honored serve St. Louis families for over 14 years.
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We are excited to celebrate these Member Business Anniversaries
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Forty Elephants
Forty Elephants is proud to celebrate two years in Kirkwood. What began as an idea has grown into a vibrant consignment collective connecting local consigners with shoppers from across the region. We're grateful for the support of our community and look forward to what's next.
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Niemann Group
Niemann Group is proud to celebrate our 6th anniversary on September 1. Founded by lifelong Kirkwood resident Michael Niemann, we've helped our clients save more than $1 billion in taxable income over the past six years. Thank you to our clients, referral partners, and the Kirkwood community for making this milestone possible.
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Teleo Coffee
Teleo Coffee is celebrating five years in business in Kirkwood! What began as a booth at the Kirkwood Farmers Market in 2020 has grown into a neighborhood coffee shop built on specialty coffee and loving our neighbors. Thank you, Kirkwood, for five incredible years. We can't wait for what's next!
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St Louis CAPS
St. Louis CAPS is celebrating 10 Years providing high school seniors access to profession-based learning opportunities for our five (5) partner school districts. We had 104 students connected to our three (3) strands: Medicine, Healthcare, & Bioscience, Engineering & Technology Design and Development, and Global Business & Entrepreneurship.
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Martha's Hands
is celebrating 29 years of providing professional, compassionate home care to St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. Founded in 1997 by nurse Eileen McCaffrey Hedrick, the local agency has delivered over seven million hours of care to more than 8,000 families. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!
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Andrew Paulter - Paulter Design
Cory Lee - Human Interest
Danny O'Leary - Synergy Wealth Solutions
Gabriella Yurevich - Social Traction Studios
Kathy Schmiedeskamp - Simply Sisters Home Concierge, LLC
Rhonda Duncan - Orthopedic Specialists, PC
Sam Anguiano - Sweep Dreams
Samuel Morris - Archway Contractors, LLC
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Allegra Kelley - Farha Roofing - 1 year
Amanda McGuire - Lotus Hair Company - 1 year
Sara Morrison - Serendipitous Aesthetics - 1 year
Sean Springer- Edward Jones - 2 years
Tim Emerson, Jr. - Emerson & Co. - 2 years
Ali Siegel - Forty Elephants - 2 years
Kim Ringenbach - The UPS Store, Warson Woods - 3 years
Amy Rahm - Crumbl Cookies West County - 3 years
Ken Horseman- KJH Financial - 4 years
Tiffany Rawson - Monumental Strides - 4 years
Bryan Curtain - Xavier Roofing - 4 years
Annie Bobbitt - Legal Back Office - 4 years
Michelle Seliner - VestGen Wealth Advisors - 4 years
Lisa Iken - Kirkwood School District Foundation - 5 years
Mark Coulter - Mark Anthony Gifts - 6 years
Cory Ball - Redemption Community Church - 7 years
Shawn Estep - The Estep Law Firm - 7 years
Jessica Hood - The National Museum of Transportation - 7 years
Tracy Stamper - Helen Fitzgerald's Restaurant - 10 years
Tamara Sehl - Amtrak - 11 years
Brad McLaury - Midwest Regional Bank - 13 years
Jason Comegys - Dewey's Pizza -22 years
Tom Twellman - Hair Saloon for Men - 25 years
Mike Prosperi - Imo's Pizza - 29 years
| | LETTERS FROM OUR DIRECTORS | |
Kirk Faubel
Board Chair
Get ready to nominate your future board members! Per the Chamber bylaws, we have formed our 2026 Board of Directors selection committee which has been approved by the Board. The selection committee consists of the current chair, the chair elect, the Executive director and two at large non-board members. This years committee includes Kirk Faubel, Nikki Weddle, Chris Ley, Andrew Huber and Adam Schmitz. Once the nomination period is closed, the selection committee will make their recommendations to the board for approval.
Details about how and when you are able to nominate qualified members will be available very soon!
-Kirk
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Chris Ley
Executive Director
The forecast says August is bringing plenty of heat.
Around here, though, the hottest thing isn't the weather. It's our Members.
Every week a new Member joins, or maybe they are opening a new location, celebrating a milestone, welcoming new team members, cutting a ribbon, winning an award, or finding another way to make our communities even better. We love sharing those stories because they remind us that this Chamber is powered by people who keep moving forward.
As you read through this month's Member Moments, please don't just read the headlines. Celebrate them! Reach out with a congratulations. Stop by their business. Share their post. Tell someone about the great work they're doing. Supporting one another is one of the best things we do as a Chamber community.
If your business has news to share, send it our way. We want to brag about you, too. There is always room for another success story, and we never get tired of celebrating the people who make this Chamber what it is – THE CHAMBER THAT HAS IT ALL!
Now go find some air conditioning, grab something cold to drink, and enjoy all the hot news from your fellow Members.
-Chris
| | | Committee Conversations is a monthly feature highlighting the ideas, expertise, and impact of the Chamber’s committees and specialty groups. Each month, a different committee will share insights, updates, or perspectives connected to their mission and work within the Chamber and community. | |
Supporting Our Local Schools
by your Community Engagement Committee
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The Community Engagement Committee is proud to lead our annual School Supply Drive, benefiting the Kirkwood School District and St. Louis Public Schools. Now through August 12, Chamber member businesses throughout our community are serving as collection sites, making it easy for residents, employees, and customers to support local students and educators.
Every year, schools help connect students, families, and teachers with the resources they need to succeed. Donations collected through this drive will be distributed directly to the Kirkwood School District and St. Louis Public Schools, allowing them to provide supplies where they are needed most. Whether it's helping stock a classroom, equipping a teacher with essential materials, or ensuring a student has the tools needed for a successful school year, every donation makes a difference.
The most-needed items include backpacks, notebooks, folders, pencils, markers, glue sticks, binders, tissues, hand sanitizer, and other classroom essentials. All donations should be new and unused.
Participating Collection Sites:
• The UPS Store (Warson Woods)
• 100% Chiropractic
• Royal Banks (Kirkwood)
• Junction Orthodontics
• Pioneer Wealth Management
• Sound Health Services (Kirkwood)
• Sound Health Services (Des Peres)
• Teleo Coffee
• Central Bank (Des Peres)
• Kirkwood Florist
• Enterprise Bank (Kirkwood)
• Kirk D. Faubel Insurance Advisors
Donations may be dropped off at any collection site through August 12. We will also be collecting supplies at our upcoming Member Luncheon on Tuesday, August 11.
Prefer to donate online? Scan the QR code below or use this link: https://a.co/0euxOPR0 to purchase items directly from the School Supply Drive Amazon Wish List. Supplies purchased through the wish list will be shipped directly to the Chamber office for distribution.
We are grateful to these Chamber businesses, along with the many donors and volunteers who continue to support this effort year after year. Together, we are helping local students start the school year prepared to learn while providing teachers and schools with resources that strengthen classrooms across our community.
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Our Brand new Be A Bringer Initiative is your chance to introduce colleagues, clients, friends, and fellow business owners to everything the Chamber has to offer while earning rewards along the way.
From September through December, you'll receive points for every registered first-time guest you bring to eligible Chamber events, with prizes throughout the program and a chance to be named The Chamber's Best Bringer in January 2027. See Details below and BE A BRINGER!
| | We need YOUR help! To continue this newsletter, we need more news! Fill out this form to be featured in the next newsletter. | | |
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