January 3, 2001
FORMER GOVERNOR ROBERT RAY TO SPEAK AT EAST DES MOINES CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER
John C. Burgeon will be named Citizen of the Year

EAST DES MOINES – The East Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and Greater East Side Development will celebrate the past year’s successes and honor the East Side Citizen of the Year at their 2000 annual dinner on Thursday, January 18, 2001. The banquet will be held at Embassy Suites on the River, 101 East Locust Street. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a program to follow.

The event will be highlighted with remarks from this year’s featured speaker, former Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray, who will offer a motivational message, “Character Counts,” as attendees celebrate East Side progress and development. Ray was Governor from 1969 to 1983. Since leaving office he has held a variety of leadership positions within the Greater Des Moines community, including interim Mayor of Des Moines and interim President of Drake University.

The East Des Moines Chamber and Greater East Side Development will recognize and honor John Burgeson as the 2000 Citizen of the Year. A graduate of East High School and former Grand View College student, Burgeson is owner, Chairman and CEO of Iowa State Bank, as well as a lifelong East Side advocate. One of the many ways he has served the community was recently serving as Chair of the Gateway East Steering Committee, developing a master plan for street, building and landscape improvements in the east downtown neighborhood.

Tickets to attend the event are $30 and may be reserved by calling 286-4995.