Adams County CEO

CEO Alumni Spotlight: Isaac Schuetz ’25

Adams County CEO alum Isaac Schuetz is making an impact at SIUE as a member of the Solar Racing Team!

Competing in the American Solar Challenge and Formula Sun Grand Prix, Isaac and the team designed, built, and raced their own solar vehicle. At the 2026 Formula Sun Grand Prix, SIUE finished 13th out of 29 teams, set a school record for most miles completed at a competition, and earned provisional qualification for the road race with a brand-new car.

Beyond the results, the team showed true sportsmanship — supporting each other, having fun, and competing with heart.

Congratulations to Isaac and the entire SIUE Solar Racing Team! 🌞🏁

Congratulations to Adams County CEO alum Hunter St. Clair on winning the Little People's Golf Championship! We're especially excited because the event is organized by Quincy Service Club, one of the many community partners who support the Adams County CEO program. Congratulations on an incredible achievement, Hunter!

Congratulations to our own Hunter St. Clair on winning the Pepsi's Little People's Golf Tournament Championship! 🏆⛳

Hunter is a part-time merchandiser with Refreshment Services Pepsi and will be attending Quincy University this fall. Golf is a family tradition for the St. Clairs—his dad, Aaron, is one of our Sales Managers, making this accomplishment even more special.

We're proud to have Hunter on our team and can't wait to see what he accomplishes next, both on the course and in the classroom.

Congratulations, Hunter! Your Refreshment Services Pepsi family is so happy for you! 💙❤️

Make sure you get out to the Quincy Makers Market Saturday and check out Scentwell Co. and Flora Lane Flowers, two of our incredible 2026 student business! Kyle and Sadie would love to see you as they carry their businesses beyond the course!

Of course the Makers Market is all about supporting our local artisans, but check out these two HIGH SCHOOL entrepreneurs who will be sharing their goods with you! They are part of the Adams County CEO program--which fosters business development in our local high schools. Find them in spot 43 near One Event Venue (see map at quincymakersmarket.com).

Make sure you check out the Quincy Makers Market on 6th street this weekend and support 2026 Adams County CEO students Kyle and Sadie as well as all the other amazing vendors! Scentwell Co. Flora Lane Flowers

Today, for our final official class day, we had a business tour double feature thanks to Shortridge Construction Co., Inc and Craftsmen Utility Trailer of Quincy.

We started with Shortridge Construction, where Melanie walked us through an active job site for a business that is relocating. Getting to see an industrial steel-framed project in progress gave the class a real, firsthand look at what goes into large-scale construction and the coordination required to bring a vision to life.

From there, we walked just down the road to see the finished side of that work at Craftsmen Trailers, a newer business in our community. Lou, Tony, and Gabby gave us a full tour of their facility and shared insight into their operations, highlighting everything involved in the sales and service of commercial trailers.

Seeing both the process and the final product back-to-back helped connect the dots in a way that you just can’t replicate in a classroom.

A strong finish to our final class day as we head into our class breakfast tomorrow.

Today, Payne Schoen from Payne Schoen Consulting spoke to the class and led an exercise focused on identifying their most tightly held values.

As students defined those values, he facilitated a conversation around how they chose them and how they actually live them out in both life and business.

This was an important step as we conclude the class this week and launch the 2026 group into what comes next. Knowing your values and understanding your why creates clarity, direction, and a stronger foundation for every decision moving forward.

A strong reminder that success is not just built on what you do, but on what drives you to do it.

With only a few days left in class we are still learning from local business owners. Yesterday, the class toured Krazy Town Trampoline Park with owner Kasey Schuster.

Students got a firsthand look at what it takes to operate a high energy, experience driven business. From safety and staffing to customer experience, every detail matters when your product is the environment you create.

Kasey also walked through the complexity behind the scenes, including insurance, marketing, ongoing maintenance, and the added challenge of running a restaurant within the facility. He shared how each piece has to work together to create a consistent experience.

The addition of golf simulators at Amen Corner adds another layer to the business, expanding what they offer and how they serve different groups within the community.

A strong example of how ex*****on, adaptability, and attention to detail drive success in a multi faceted business.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support Adams County CEO class of 2026 at their Trade Show today.

The turnout was incredible, and it was evident how much this community believes in its next generation of entrepreneurs.

These students have spent months building their businesses from the ground up, and today they had the opportunity to share that work with all of you. Your support, your conversations, and your willingness to show up matter more than you know.

This program does not exist without a community that is willing to invest in its students, and today was a great example of that in action.

We are grateful, and we are proud of what these students have accomplished.