Pals Announces First Annual Chairman’s BSA Boone Trails District Service Award
Harlan Pals, District Commissioner of BSA Boone Trails District, has unveiled an annual Chairman’s Award to be presented to individuals from St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren counties who have made a continuing and distinguished contribution to the scouting program. According to Pals, “The Chairman’s Award is given to those not generally recognized by a scouting district or council. The award is presented to help honor those who have given service to their scouting community and they must have served the district with continuous service for ten years or more.” Pals presented the Chairman’s District Service Award to: Ed Pundmann, Dennis Spellman, and Jean Maurice “Mo” Thro, Jr.
Ed Pundmann has been a predominate leader of the corporate community in St. Charles. Pundmann has been president of Pundmann Ford since 1962. Pundmann is also a member of the Board of Directors for First State Bank and Mutual Fire of St. Charles. Pundmann’s professional highlights include inclusion in the 2000 and 2004 Marquis Who’s Who in America and the World. In 1995, Pundmann was chosen as one of the top ten finalists for the Time Magazine “Quality Dealer Award.” Pundmann was selected as Citizen of the Year in 1986, and as the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year in 2002. Some of Pundmann’s major community activities include being: past president and board member of St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, member of the Parkside Meadows Foundation, member of Citizens for St. Charles Progress, member and past president of St. Charles Rotary Club, and Bonne Center Workshop Board of Directors from 1982 to 1997.
Pundmann also served as District Chairman for BSA Boone Trails District from 1979 to 1982, and has been a member of the district committee since 1975. As a youth, Pundmann was a Cub Scout for several years, which is one of the reasons he supports BSA. “The program does an incredible job with young people, even if you are only with the program for a short time it will have a great impact on your entire life,” said Pundmann.
Dr. Dennis Spellmann is recognized nationally as a leader in management and fiscal responsibility. His company, Spellmann and Associates, was called upon frequently by the White House during the Reagan administration to provide assistance to struggling colleges. Spellmann’s expertise has included consultation with the private sector and work with numerous foundations and municipal organizations. He served as city manager of three Texas cities and balanced the city budgets by focusing on infrastructure improvements, better city services and new industry. His list of college turnaround successes spans the country. It includes such familiar names as Missouri Valley College, Maryville University and Lindenwood University. Since Dr. Spellmann became president in 1989, Lindenwood has become the fastest-growing college or university in Missouri. Spellmann serves on the NAIA National Council of Presidents. In the area of volunteer and community service, Dr. Spellmann has served as chairman of the St. Louis Interfaith Partnership. He started the highly successful American Humanics program at Lindenwood University, bringing the American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, and other non profit organizations to the students. He is an Eagle Scout and served as District Chairman for Boone Trails District from 1997 through 1999. Dr. Spellmann currently serves on the Greater St. Louis Area Council Executive Committee. He has been a scout for 57 years, and received two of scouting’s highest honors: the Silver Beaver Award and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
Jean Maurice “Mo” Thro, Jr. has been in the clothing business for most of his life, except from 1950 to 1954 when he was in the Navy serving our country at Guam. Thro has been President of Thro Clothing Company since 1978. Thro’s uncle originally opened a small part of his men’s clothing store as a Boy Scout supplier to the former St. Charles Council in 1935. Today, Thro’s continues to be a BSA supplier to Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Boone Trails District. Thro spent three years in the Cub Scout program and says, “Every time a young Cub Scout comes to the store, I’m reminded of the happy times I had as a Cub Scout.” Thro continues to be a BSA supplier as a service to those in the program. Thro says, “I believe in the BSA program and what it does in guiding young people to values and morals that the model citizen should have.” In addition to his support of scouting, Thro has served on the St. Charles Special Business District since the organization’s formation in 1978. His company has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since it was established in 1939, and Thro has served on the chamber’s board from 1991 to 1996. Thro was presented with the Chambers Civic Award in 2002. Thro was chairman of the St. Charles County Government Center Committee, a founding member of the St. Louis Bi-State chapter of the National Head Injury Foundations, member and past president of St. Joe’s Health Center for 25 years, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
In addition to announcing the establishment of the Chairman’s Boone Trails District Service Award, Pals has announced the award will be known as the “Spellman Award” in honor of Dr. Dennis Spellman’s extraordinary support of Boy Scouts in our local community.
