New faces join Wall of Honor

The faces of six past and present citizens have joined the existing honorees with their likenesses now adorning Lebanon’s Wall of Honor after a banquet last Thursday night.

The chamber has honored 128 individuals on the Cowan Civic Center Wall since 2001. The annual event held at the Civic Center recognizes people who have performed outstanding service for the community.

Wall of Honor chairman Kenneth Howe said. This year, we continue extension of honors from behind the stage formerly held by the sports hall of fame, which has been moved to Lebanon High School.

This year's inductees were Leslie Beavers, Beth Long, Rod Reid, Jim Rogers, Keith Ruether and Gustave Schneider.

Leslie Beavers

Former Lebanon resident Leslie Beavers built a career in military, government, and corporate leadership. A retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General, she rose to serve in some of the nation’s highest intelligence and technology positions, including Acting Chief Information Officer for the Department of Defense. “Her career demonstrates how someone raised in Lebanon can go on to make an impact on a national and global scale,” according to her nomination.

Over more than three decades of military service, Beavers rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the Air Force reserves, served in senior intelligence leadership positions. She helped oversee global intelligence operations supporting military leaders and national decision makers.

Rod Reid

Rod Reid is a lifelong Lebanon resident and co-owner of Shepherd Hills Factory. With his family and their team he helped grow Shepherd Hills into a nationally recognized destination and hosts the world’s largest Case Knife and collector event for more than three decades.

Reid has served as a past President of the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce, founding President of the Lebanon Tourism Board, and Chairman of the Missouri Transportation Development Council. Most recently, he was appointed to the Federal Route 66 Centennial Commission and elected Chairman, helping lead national efforts to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

Beth Long

Beth Long was the first woman elected Laclede County Clerk and later served 13 years in the Missouri House of Representatives. According to her nomination, “Throughout her career, she was a strong advocate for veterans, families and children, while earning a reputation for integrity, compassion and dedication to the citizens she served.”

She was the first woman selected by members of her party to serve as caucus chairwoman, In 2000, she represented Missouri as a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Jim Rogers

In 1980, Jim Rogers’s family took over the concessions at Bennett Spring State Park. He retired from Roaring River State Park in 2024 to focus solely on Bennett Spring. The park welcomed nearly 1.4 million visitors in 2025, generating an estimated economic impact of more than $90 million. His business employs close to 100 people, many of whom have worked with the family for over 30 years. He serves on the city of Lebanon’s Tourism and Marketing Committee to help promote the local area.

Jim started the Jim Rogers Fly Fishing School in 2000 and has taught thousands of people. He worked with the Roaring River Wonders of Wildlife school for 18 years, a program affiliated with Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.

Gustave Schneider

Gustave Schneider was an architect, builder, farmer, and civic leader who settled in Laclede County in 1901.

According to his nomination, “He played a major role in agriculture, transportation, and community development, helping organize the Laclede County Mutual Insurance Association, leading the Lebanon Produce Exchange, and contributing to important infrastructure projects throughout the county. His legacy continues to be felt more than a century later.”

In 1920, he became a founding member of the Lebanon Produce Exchange and was an active leader in the Missouri Farmers Association.

Keith Ruether

Music educator Keith Ruether led band programs at Steelville, Fulton and Lebanon. He is one of only three directors in Missouri history to teach at three different schools that were selected to perform at the Missouri Music Education Association convention. Under his direction, the Lebanon band won numerous championships at statewide marching festivals and received the highest rating at every state concert band festival. His honors include Teacher of the Year recognition at every school where he taught

He also is a deacon and music leader at Hilllcrest Baptist Church and is active in foster care and volunteer service. He served as an assistant football coach for the Yellowjackets.

New faces join Wall of Honor

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