The Affton Chamber of Commerce recently presented awards to its Business Person of the Year and Citizens of the Year at its 25th annual Awards Dinner Gala at Andre’s South in Oakville.
The award recipients were also honored with resolutions unanimously approved by the County Council, co-sponsored by the two councilmen who represent Affton, 5th District Councilman Pat Dolan, D-Richmond Heights, and 6th District Councilman Ernie Trakas, R-Oakville.
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill owner and county Planning Commission member Keith Brooks was honored as Business Person of the Year. Matt and Michele Herndon were honored as Citizens of the Year, and Affton Southwest Precinct Capt. Melissa Webb was given the “Going the Extra Mile” Award.
Scott Manning of the Affton Fire Protection District and Kevin Frederick of the St. Louis County Police Department’s Affton Southwest Precinct were honored as First Responders of the Year.
Exceptional Educators Awards were presented to Jackie Theodore of Dressel Elementary School in Lindbergh Schools, Janet Peistrup of the Affton School District, Katy Glass of the Bayless School District, Karen Schuering of Cor Jesu Academy, Steve Schmid of Lutheran High School South and Donna Catanzaro of Our Lady of Providence.
Beautification Awards for Commercial-New Construction were given to Cor Jesu, Dressel and Fresh Thyme Farmers Market in Green Park. Beautification Awards for Commercial Renovation were given to the Affton License Office, Bayless School District, Farmers Insurance-Greg Mans Agency and F2 Garage Door Solutions.
The Herndons were honored as Citizens of the Year for their joint work in relocating the Rooftop Church to Affton. The independent, non-denominational church serves Affton and the entire metropolitan community with various ministries and community outreach, according to the council resolution.
The two have three children in the Affton School District, where Michele helped lead the November 2016 passage of two ballot measures, Propositions I and N.
Brooks was honored for his longtime business in Affton, which he opened as Southside Jewelry and Loan on Gravois Road in 1993. Since then, the business has expanded, and Brooks purchased additional property on Gravois and opened Sharpshooter Pit and Grill and Indoor Range.
In all, he now employs 38 people in full-time and part-time positions, according to the resolution.
He is also an active volunteer on the chamber, the Planning Commission and the South County Police Business Association.
After joining the county Police Department in 1995, Webb became the first woman to command a precinct in the department when she was named to head the Affton precinct in 2016. Since taking over in Affton, Webb has worked on crime-prevention techniques, reducing crime and developed new ways for officers to interact with the community, according to the resolution.