Main Street Movers Who Received Awards during Missouri’s Premiere Downtown Revitalization Conference
August 29, 2025 | Logan Breer
There were many individuals from across the state behind the communities, organizations, and businesses that won awards during Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference’s Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the St. Charles Convention Center. These individuals embodied what it means to be a “Main Street Mover and Shaker” with a strong sense of ownership and collaborative spirit found within Main Stret America’s Main Street Approach™ and its Accreditation Standards. Get to know several of the individuals who won awards for their projects and initiatives that impacted Missouri’s Main Streets in 2024.
Jeff and Carolina Neal, Joplin Commons
Jeff and Carolina are the powerful duo who pioneered the revitalization of downtown Joplin and region as owners of Neal Group Construction, LLC. and Joplin Commons. Over the past 13 years, they have built a reputation as the most experienced historic renovation company with their passion for preserving historic properties, promoting the future of downtown Joplin, and conserving the environment. Jeff and Carolina have worked on more than 100 historic commercial properties that provide over 100 housing units. Notable properties include the Hurlbut, Columbian, Christman’s Lofts, Paramount, and Christman’s Annex. (Neal Group Construction, August 2025)
Their expertise in reusing and retrofitting historic structures with modern efficiency and comfort has won them several accolades including the McReynolds Award. Recently, they were awarded the Best Downtown Housing Project Award by MMSC for their multi-year rehabilitation of the formerly abandoned Pennington Drug Company building. Learn more about their work on the Pennington Lofts through MMSC’s press release (Read more).
Keitha Clapp, Maryville Florist
Keitha Clapp is the owner of Maryville Florist. She purchased the locally owned retail floral and gift shop in downtown Maryville in 2003 to continue the legacy of helping their customers and community. Keitha shares on her website that, “I love getting to know my customers and helping them with all the important events in their lives.” (Maryville Florist, August 2025)
In 2024, Keitha completed improvements to the historic 1880’s building that Maryville Florist calls home. This included restoring the building’s historic details, improving the long-term structural integrity, refreshing the awning, cleaning the façade, and adding a mural. Because of her efforts to beautify her part of downtown Maryville, Keitha inspired neighboring property owners to consider physical improvements on their buildings and received the Best Façade Rehabilitation Award from Missouri Main Street Connection. Learn more about the impact of Keitha’s building improvements through MMSC’s press release (Read more).
Megan Jennings and Sidney Eckard, Stanberry Main Street
Megan Jennings and Sidney Eckard are the two co-chairs of Stanberry Main Street’s Organizational Committee. Megan was born and raised in Stanberry and considers herself fortunate to be able to raise her kids in Stanberry too. With this generational mindset, she volunteers as a board member and co-chair of the organizational committee to assist her hometown remain strong and vibrant for generations to come. As part of the organizational committee, Megan is able to use her skills from her day job with Mosaic Medical Center – Maryville to join her community in rallying together around each other and community projects.
Sidney grew up in a neighboring, rival town before moving to Stanberry to start a family with her husband who was born and raised in Stanberry. For over 11 years, while teaching high school business, she has fallen in love with Stanberry’s closeknit community that has pride in their town, school, and youth. Just like Megan, Sidney also volunteers with Stanberry Main Street as co-chair of the organization committee to help the community in a lasting way and ensure it is a strong vibrant community for my children and the many generations after.
Their leadership as co-chairs was instrumental to the Annual Giving Campaign that exceeded Stanberry Main Street’s goal of raising $25,000 and won the Best New Awareness Campaign, Affiliate Tier Award. Learn more about their impact in Stanberry through MMSC’s press release (Read more).
Liz Haynes, Old Town Cape
Liz Haynes calls Cape Girardeau home after returning to Cape Girardeau from starting her career and working in various places across Missouri. In her role as executive director of Old Town Cape, she leads a team of volunteers and staff to do amazing things, including reducing the vacancy rate across Old Town Cape’s large 130 block district, consisting of multiple commercial areas at various stages of revitalization, to 20%!
Liz puts her decades of leadership and communication skills into action as she champions the economic vitality of Cape Girardeau’s downtown. Many times, you can find Liz in downtown Cape along with her board and a prospective business owner on a district tour. These tours are part of a personalized, high-touch outreach recruitment plan that Old Town Cape utilizes. Learn more about the impact of Liz’s leadership and strategic approach to business recruitment through MMSC’s press release for the Main Street Business Recruitment, Accredited Tier Award (Read more).
Danny and April True, Lebanon Missouri Main Street
Danny and April True are the powerful entrepreneurial couple behind some of the big things happening in downtown Lebanon. Danny continues his father Dan’s legacy with operating True Construction, which had a hand in more than 40 buildings in the downtown area under his father and now works with dozens of projects delivering exceptional craftsman quality and customer service for home, commercial, and industrial building needs. April operates her small business, True Wellness, which provides personalized and effective solutions for health and wellness including Christian Specialized Kinesiology (Downtown Lebanon, August 2025).
Through Danny’s involvement on the board of directors for Lebanon Missouri Main Street, the True’s bring a people-first development perspective and entrepreneurial energy to the organization. Lebanon Missouri Main Street partnered in implementing the True’s vision for a property the they owned downtown resulting in the “229 Project”. This project is a business incubator and life-changing package that provided a physical space, tools, mentorship, and momentum to Carmen’s, a locally owned deli and bakery. Learn more about the impact of the “229 Project” through MMSC’s press release for the Main Street Business Recruitment Associate Tier Award (Read more).
Lyndsey Baxter, Downtown Excelsior Partnership
Lyndsey Baxter grew up in Excelsior Springs during a time when there were empty stores and abandoned buildings. She always dreamed of the “big city life” but after graduating with her master’s she stayed in Excelsior Springs. In 2014, she became the executive director of the Downtown Excelsior Partnership where she would grow to become one of the many champions of Main Street.
Today, Lyndsey continues to coordinate a dedicated group of volunteers to implement initiatives and activities to achieve amazing results, including 100% occupancy. She was quoted in the Excelsior Citizen saying,
“We have about 70 people that are active every day, putting some sort of thought process into how can we get better? What can we do more of? How can it be great? What downtown has accomplished is not because of me, it’s because of all of those people coming to the table, giving up their time to make it all happen.” (Excelsior Citizen, August 2025)
Lyndsey spearheaded Downtown Excelsior Partnership’s Annual Report Campaign titled, “The Numbers. The Impact. The Future.” that boldly and successfully raised public awareness of their measurable success, fiscal stewardship, and impact. Her background in psychology is just the tool she needs to bring out the best in each of Downtown Excelsior Partnership’s volunteers and compose a comprehensive report that can be shared digitally and in print. Learn more about Downtown Excelsior Partnership’s Annual Report Campaign through MMSC’s press release for the Outstanding Economic Impact Project Accredited Tier Award (Read more).
Danni Eickenhorst, Steve Ewing, and Derrick Langeneckert, Delmar Main Streets
Danni Eickenhorst, Steve Ewing, and Derrick Langeneckert are three entrepreneurs who are well known in St. Louis for their collaborative efforts to build community around places and food, specifically on Delmar Boulevard.
Dannie Eickenhorst is the CEO of HuSTL Hospitality Group, owner of The Fountain on Locust, and recognized leader in hospitality, business leadership, and community building. With a background in nonprofits, her experience, passion, and dedication influence her work to build up St. Louis. Danni’s restaurant portfolio empowers people through career employment in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Steve Ewing, former lead singer of the iconic St. Louis band The Urge, is the owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs, which unites his passion for food and music together. Steve’s Hot Dogs is known for blending culture, culinary creativity, and community giving together to uplift St. Louis. With multiple locations, he makes a widespread impact on his employees, customers, and local restaurants through favorite staples and limited-run collaborations.
Derrick Langeneckert is the Managing Partner of Alpha Brewing Company and a proud University of St. Louis alumnus. He turned his biology degree into a mission to brew some of the best beer in the city. Derrick brings his scientific expertise and love of craft beer to the Maker District’s elevating it as a food and drink destination in STL.
Learn more about the transformative partnership of these three entrepreneurs that led to a new multi-use space that house The Fountain, Steve’s Hot Dogs, and Alpha Brewing Company in Delmar Main Street through MMSC’s press release for the Outstanding Economic Impact Project Associate Tier Award (Read more).
Dave Eames, Downtown Lee’s Summit
Dave Eames and his family have called Downtown Lees’ Summit home since 1990. As the owner of Fossil Forge, specializing in neon sign restoration and manufacturing, he got involved with Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street (DLSMS) where he would serve on the board of directors. He recently ended his term as president in 2021 but remains active on the board as a volunteer service as the chair of the design committee.
Dave’s impact is visible throughout Downtown Lee’s Summit and beyond. He’s designed banners and event logos as well as fabricated the downtown information kiosks from his home garage. He was instrumental to the return of neon signage in downtown Lee’s Summit, which now has more than 60 neon signs. Learn more about Dave’s impact in Downtown Lee’s Summit through MMSC’s press release for the Spirit of Main Street, Accredited Tier Award (Read more).
Tina Weber, Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization
Tina Weber has lived in Jackson her entire life and because of that she has many memories of how Jackson has changed over the years and connections to the people who call Jackson home. Tina has over 35 years of experience in banking and is currently a Senior Private Banker with Banterra Bank. When she is not working, Tina spends time with family, including her three nephews, three great-nieces, and one great nephew, traveling to new places, catching morning movies, and volunteering in various roles with Uptown Jackson.
For more than seven years, Tina has actively championed her community by volunteering on the board of directors of Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization (UJRO). She is the current board president for UJRO. Through her volunteering, Tina has positively influenced the change that has happened in Jackson. Using her people-focused mindset and outgoing nature, she has organized regular coffee chats and walk-arounds as part of the board of directors for Uptown Jackson. Learn more about Tina’s impact in Uptown Jackson through MMSC’s press release for the Spirit of Main Street, Associate Tier Award (Read more).
Stephanie Campbell-Yount, Downtown Maryville
Stephanie Campbell-Yount is a business owner, property developer, mentor, board member, and advocate that has shaped the landscape of Downtown Maryville. She started her journey of inspiring those around her to invest in Maryville’s future in 2017 when she purchased a downtown building to open Blue Willow, a women’s clothing boutique. This investment and commitment to downtown would lead to years of collaboration and volunteering with Downtown Maryville, including as a board member and economic vitality committee chair.
She is not just involved with Downtown Maryville, as she is also a mentor for Maryville Chamber’s B.O.S.S. (Business Owners Sharing Solutions) Coffee program. No matter what Stephanie is involved in she brings her dedication, hands-on approach, and unwavering commitment to revitalizing and strengthening Downtown Maryville. Learn more about Stephanie’s impact in Downtown Maryville through MMSC’s press release for the Spirit of Main Street, Associate Tier Award (Read more).
These individuals are guideposts for gathering broad-based community commitment to revitalization. There are plenty of other winners that we were not able to feature in this article that you should know about. Please check out our full press release from the Evening of Excellence that highlights each of the 23 award recipients. (Read more). You can also watch the award video on our YouTube channel as well.
