KANSAS CITY -- A Sikeston man was among those honored as outstanding Missouri leaders in business, community engagement and economic development at the 2016 Governor's Conference on Economic Development in Kansas City.
The Governor's Career Service in Economic Development Award was presented to Ed Dust, director of the city of Sikeston Department of Economic Development by Gov. Jay Nixon and Department of Economic Development Director Mike Downing. Dust, who has 44 years of experience in economic development, has served as the director of Economic Development for Sikeston for the past 12 years.
"Working tirelessly with the business community, local leaders and the state, he has helped bring more than 2,030 jobs to Sikeston, including the recruitment and expansion of several large businesses," Nixon said. "He has also worked to increase the local job and tax base through new retail developments; last year alone, commercial construction in Sikeston was valued at $42 million."
Also honored at the event:
Dr. Mary Jo Gorman was presented with the Missouri Women's Council Award of Distinction in recognition of her role as a nationally recognized innovator, leader in hospital medicine, and serial entrepreneur. Since 1991, Dr. Gorman has founded and operated four successful companies, and her extensive knowledge and dedication to healthcare has made her a pioneer in critical care medicine, ensuring that thousands of patients in the ICU receive quality care. Dr. Gorman currently serves as the Lead Managing Partner of the Prosper Women Entrepreneurs Startup Accelerator in St. Louis, one of the country's first programs designed exclusively to help women-led businesses succeed and tackle the entrepreneur gender gap.
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