Andy Fechtel's parents taught him and his siblings growing up that "the community's been good to our family and we're going to be good to the community back."
"That's always been something that I've seen through example," Fechtel said. "My parents have always made such a big point of giving back to the community.
"I've always kind of grown up with that being just what you do."
Fechtel's family, which owns Fechtel Beverage on West Elm Street, has always been involved with numerous Mid-Missouri organizations.
Fechtel's father, Bernie, got his son involved with the United Way of Central Missouri when Fechtel was in high school. He served as a youth member on the board of directors.
Fechtel's involvement with the United Way stuck. This year, the 27-year-old is a cochair for the United Way of Central Missouri's Community Campaign.
Bernie is a past campaign cochair.
"He's (Bernie) just excited to have somebody else there representing our family and representing Fechtel Beverage to kind of take up that charge and really kind of run with it and continue to do it," Fechtel said. "My involvement isn't directly related to what he did, but every bit of it is because of what he and my mom have taught us."
Fechtel works as a brand specialist at Fechtel Beverage. His older sister also works for the company and the duo is the fourth generation of Fechtels to work there.
"I'm super lucky to be able to work with my family every day," Fechtel said. "While it has its tough moments, it's really nice knowing that every day you're going to work with people who have your back."
He said he loves that his position, as well as Fechtel Beverage in general, helps the
community and local businesses.
"It's an opportunity to provide for our family and to advance our community," he said. "I've wanted to do it because I like that it gives us the freedom to go out into the community to do great things, to raise money and to help local businesses.
"It's such an awesome and fun way to be able to do those things, as well."
Fechtel said he always knew he'd end up back in Jefferson City.
After graduating from Helias High School, he attended Providence College in Rhode Island, where he majored in business management and minored in studio art. He then moved to Boston for a while before moving back to Mid-Missouri in 2009. He has since received a master's of business administration degree from the University of Missouri.
While he's involved within the community through the family business and the United Way, Fechtel is also involved in other ways. He volunteers his time on an admissions committee at Helias High School and is on Capital Region Medical Center's Board of Governors. He's also involved with Jefferson City's Downtown Association.
When he isn't working or volunteering, he said a lot of his free time is spent beer tasting.
"I also have a little wood shop where I like to do wood carving and stuff," he said.
His goals are to continue to stay involved and to continue to find ways to make Jefferson City a better place.
"I just want to stress how important it is to try to make some sort of mark in town," Fechtel said. "There's always something going on here, there's always something that's looking for community feedback, there's always a project that needs help and there's always somewhere to volunteer.
"I think it's such a great opportunity that we have in this town."