Chamber Announces Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Three distinguished community leaders will be honored at the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, January 20, at 11:30 a.m. at the Oakley Lindsay Center.

The Class of 2016 will include Jim Mentesti, retired president of the Great River Economic Development Foundation; Ray Shortridge, founder of Shortridge Construction Company; and the late Robert Tracy, founder of Dot Foods.

Jim Mentesti, former president of the Great River Economic Development Foundation for 27 years, retired in July 2012. Under his leadership, GREDF filled the Edward Schneidman Industrial Park southwest of 24th and Kochs Lane. He helped locate and develop 160 acres of land on Kochs Lane between 24^th and 36^th streets that allowed for the relocation of the Knapheide Manufacturing Plant, the construction of Wis-Pak and expanded facilities for several mid-size companies.

Mentesti worked with Teska and Associates on a downtown development study, supported the development of the Adams County Geographic Information System, and recruited Home Depot to 54^th and Broadway, opening the door for other East End retailers. He fostered the concept of regionalism and worked tirelessly to promote the quality of life in the Tri-State area.

Ray Shortridge, founder of Shortridge Construction, developed Ray-Mar, Cedardale, Northridge and Chatten Court subdivisions off Kochs Lane. In 1968, the company took the pivotal turn to industrial/commercial construction. His concept was to build structures suited to a company’s specific needs and then lease the buildings to them, allowing those companies to expand without a major investment.  And so began one of Quincy’s first industrial parks, Ellington Development.

Shortridge worked with GREDF and the City of Quincy to expand the enterprise zone to allow for a new industrial park, Wismann Ridge Business Park, at 54^th and Wismann Road, which is now home to six businesses. He has been an active member of the Masonic Lodge since 1967, helping more than 80 men become Masons. At 88, he is still a constant and active presence in Shortridge Construction.

The late Robert Francis “RT” Tracy and his wife, Dorothy, founded what would become Dot Foods in Mount Sterling in 1960. Tracy worked out of his home, delivering only 15 products. Today, the $6 billion food industry redistributor employs more than 4,500 individuals across 10 states, including 2,200 at its headquarters in Mount Sterling.

Dot Foods buys full truckloads of products from 775 manufacturers and resells these products in less-than-truckload quantities to distributors on a weekly basis, allowing customers to improve their inventory and in turn increase their business without adding space. In 2004, Dot Foods, Robert and Dorothy Tracy, and the Tracy Family Foundation built the community’s local YMCA. The Tracy Family Foundation funds economic development, education, leadership, and youth and family initiatives in west- central Illinois. Tracy died on March 26, 2006.

The Business Hall of Fame was started in 2006 to celebrate the rich history and accomplishments of the Quincy area business community. The event is open to the public, and is made possible by sponsors Adams Telephone Co-operative, Enbridge, Blessing Health System, County Market, Gardner Denver, KHQA, Peoples Prosperity Bank, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu, & Mitchell LLP; Wells Fargo, and Titan International. The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. Reservations are required by January 15 and can be made by going to www.quincychamber.org.