Local restaurant owner named Citizen of the Year

It was an overwhelming moment Saturday for the individual named Citizen of the Year during the 82nd Annual Chamber Banquet.

Herman Styles was recognized for his work mentoring youth through the business he co-owns, Colton's Steak House, as well as work with the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and volunteer efforts to help at risk youth.

When he first moved to Poplar Bluff more than 30 years ago, he had no idea how long he would be here, Styles said after accepting the award at the Black River Coliseum.

Citizen of the Year Herman Styles receives a plaque Saturday from Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter.DAR/Caleb H. Swallows

"I met my wife here, raised a family, have grandchildren, great-grandchildren," Styles said. "The honor isn’t so much the award and the accolades.

"The honor is working here and being part of the community. I think that’s the best honor."

Styles was one of several people recognized Saturday, including the chamber's Ambassador of the Year, Bethann Berry.

Ambassador of the Year is awarded on a points system that considers how often ambassadors attend and help with chamber events, said Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter. Berry works for FCC Behavioral Health and is a mother of two, who scored 2,000 points, Halter said.

__Citizen of Year__

Sen. Doug Libla announces the Citizen of the Year award Saturday at the Black River Coliseum.DAR/Donna Farley

Sen. Doug Libla presented the Citizen of the Year award on behalf of the chamber.

Styles has worked in the restaurant business in Poplar Bluff for 43 years, and given generously of his time, Libla told the several hundred people attending the event.

“During this time, he has mentored and given thousands of young people an opportunity to work and make money in the public – many for the first time in their lives,” Libla said. “Plus, he provides many full-time jobs for those interested in the restaurant business.”

He has been a tremendous asset in promoting all that Poplar Bluff embodies, Libla said, a warm friendly town that’s a good to place to live and raise a children, and has good paying jobs.

“For over 30 years, Herman has served on the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Board of Directors,” Libla said. “He was very instrumental in the guidance and selection of the new beautiful medical campus located on Oak Grove Road; what a tremendous asset this is for our community.”

Styles is a founding board member of the ERASE Foundation, which partners with the Bootheel faith-based community to help tutor at-risk children in learning to read and increase their comprehension, Libla said.

He is also the current president, and a volunteer, for Fellowship of Christian Athletes; chairman of the Missouri Restaurant Association; board member of the Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Company and the Missouri Judicial Review Committee; and a longtime member of The Masters (Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society).

A Marine veteran, Styles served during the Vietnam War.

Herman Styles (fourth from left) was named Citizen of the Year on Saturday during an event at the Black River Coliseum.DAR/Caleb H. Swallows

Styles and his long-time partners Bobby Fain of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Ben Thies of Ellsinore operate six other Colton’s in Illinois and Missouri.

Styles is married to Jill, who was a nurse at Poplar Bluff High School before retiring.

__Other recognitions__

Also recognized were:

Retiring board members: Eric Arnold, Tiffany Jenkins, Kurt Knodell (retiring PBI chairman), Andy Moore and Dr. Patricia Hall

Incoming board chair: Michael Lance from First Missouri State Bank

Gateway to Leadership graduates: Rick Bass, Briggs & Stratton; Belinda Birrer, Poplar Bluff Municipal Library; Terry Bounds, Starting USA; Kurt Dumey, Cane Creek Stone; Todd Henson, Poplar Bluff Realty; Katrina Hopson, Ozark Federal Credit Union; Collin Jones, Southern Bank; Rodney Lajeret, Briggs & Stratton; Mark Marshall, John Mark Photography; Morgan McIntosh, Southern Bank; and Brenda Merritt, Ozark Federal Credit Union.