It was a cold and rainy night in Mexico on Tuesday, October 25th, however that did not dampen the spirits as many of the area business leaders gathered at Fairytale Estates, for the 37th annual Commerce and Industry Appreciation Dinner.

The Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Mexico sponsored the event. Mexico Chamber President Melanie Utterback, announced the nominees for the Excellence in Business Quarterly Award Recipients. They were Graf & Sons, Audrain County Title Company, Melissa Buckman Young, Attorney and Cornerstone Family Medicine Clinic.

The winner was Cornerstone Family Medicine Clinic. Utterback said "this E. Warner Williams award goes to a VERY deserving, caring and hard working gentleman and his team at Cornerstone Family Medicine. Dr. Alexander Finck, Loren Littrel Finck, Haley Mittag and Brenda Hull have gone above and beyond to make sure this community has been taken care during the last year plus of medical craziness in our community. From being a part of a medical group one day to having to figure out to make things work on their own basically overnight; to offering 3 months of free medical care to hospital employees who didn’t have any health insurance; all while still managing to take care of each of their members 24/7/365 - you all are greatly appreciated and this award is just a SMALL token of the appreciation that the Mexico community has for you!"

Dr. Alex Finck accepted the award and said "Mexico is a draw on my heart. It is not about money, it's about the people around you, the community and the town. I am honored to accept this award on behalf of all the employees at Cornerstone Family Medicine Clinic."

The focus then shifted to the presentation of the E. Warner Excellence in Business Award. Meyers Truck Service was the award winner.

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Josh Hanley gave the introduction and said "Audrain County's rich agriculture has been the driving force behind Meyers Truck Service. That is evident in the many ways Meyers personally and professionally supports 4-H, FFA, the University of Missouri Extension, the Soy Bean Festival and county fairs in the area. Randy Meyers was one of the members that spearheaded the campaign for donations for the new 4h building. In addition to Meyers Truck Service, they also own seven CarQuest locations and employ 50 people between the eight businesses."

Randy Meyers, the owner of Meyers Truck Service accepted the award. Missouri State Representative Kent Haden and Mexico Mayor Chris Miller presented Randy with proclamations, honoring Meyers Truck Service.