Compiled by Lauri Johnson
THE BLESSING BASKET PROJECT RECEIVES $50,000 FROM MONSANTO FUND TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS IN UGANDA
The Blessing Basket Project will increase its production operations in
Uganda by 240 percent thanks to a $50,000 grant from Monsanto Fund. The nonprofit organization reduces poverty worldwide by purchasing and importing artisan baskets from impoverished
countries and selling them.
The Monsanto grant provides The Blessing Basket Project with working capital to build its inventory reserves from Uganda, which will help launch the organization’s wholly owned subsidiary Seeds of Blessing as a home-based sales company.
“Monsanto Fund has made a wonderful investment that will provide our organization with the working capital we need to make this production increase a success,” stated Theresa Wilson, founder and executive director of The Blessing Basket Project. “Through The Blessing Basket Project’s unique Prosperity Wage model, there are approximately 400 women in Uganda who are able to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the growth of their communities.”
Based in Granite City, Ill., The Blessing Basket Project supports approximately 3,000 weavers in Ghana, Uganda, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Madagascar and Indonesia. Since 2004, the organization has placed the U.S. equivalent of $1.6 million into the hands of the artisan weavers and their families.
Schilsa Design Studio WINS AWARD FOR
LOGO DESIGN
Schisla Design Studio, a boutique design firm in Creve Coeur, Mo., has received an award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education in Tacoma, Wash., for
demonstrating institutional excellence in marketing and communications. The design firm won a Bronze award for developing a logo for the University of the Puget Sound’s $150 million Capital Campaign, which is currently in the “quiet” phase and will continue over the next 7 years.
MCDONNELL NAMED 2008 ST. LOUIS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
John F. McDonnell, retired chairman of McDonnell Douglas Corp., was named 2008 St. Louis Citizen of the Year in a
ceremony at the Saint Louis Science Center. Chosen by a committee of past award winners, McDonnell is the fourth member of his family to receive the honor, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the award’s sponsor.
In a speech delivered at the ceremony, McDonnell discussed the loss of the large corporations in the mid-1990s that served as the backbone of St. Louis’ civic leadership and corporate giving for nearly three decades. McDonnell argues that the loss of those headquarters to consolidation was simply part of the normal business life cycle and that a flush of thriving young companies has stepped in to fill the gap.
“I would argue that today St. Louis has a more vibrant business community than it had 15 years ago because then most of the major companies were mature and subject to consolidation, whereas today more of the major companies are still in the growth phase of their life cycle,” said McDonnell.
In conclusion, McDonnell stated that in the field of plant and life sciences “we are on the verge of a tremendous explosion of entrepreneurial growth just like Boston and Silicon Valley were four decades ago in electronics, IT, and communications.”
DELOITTE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, in conjunction with Washington University’s Olin School of Business, is sponsoring a Leadership Summit at the Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center on October 26th.
— Save the date! —
C-suite executives and board members of prominent publicly traded and privately held companies in the St. Louis region will mainly comprise the guest list for this ‘by invitation’ only event. In addition, executives from the major local health systems will be invited to this event.
Rodney Kinzinger, St. Louis’ Office Managing Partner for Deloitte, says, “We wanted to provide these businesses with
an opportunity for their C-suite executives to interact and
share ideas.” This regional event will be held for corporate
leadership in accordance with the Olin School of Business’ mission creating knowledge, inspiring individuals, transforming business.
“Our goal is providing a networking opportunity for executives to intermingle and connect and to discuss timely topics of interest relating to the distressed economy and dealing with the legislative initiatives of the new Administration that directly impact corporate America,” says Kinzinger.
The lineup of speakers includes
the following to date:
- Keynote speaker Walt Galvin, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Emerson
- Jim Quigley, Global CEO, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
- Panel discussion “If I knew then what I know now”
Jim Weddle, Managing Partner, Edward Jones; Sandra Van Trease, Group President, BJC HealthCare; and Dr. Jai Nagarkatti, President & CEO, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
- Remaking an ethical culture and related lessons learned at Tyco Industry: Eric Pillmore, Retired Senior Vice President of Corporate Governance,
Tyco International
- The future of health care and its implications to
business: Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, President
and CEO, Ascension Health; Jim Wiehl, Partner,
Fulbright & Jaworski
- Where is this economy heading? Steven Lipstein, President & CEO, BJC HealthCare will introduce Jim Bullard, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of
St. Louis.
PLUMMER + JOHNSON
FORM NEW COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
The leaders of R.P. Lumber and Johnson Properties have teamed up to form a new commercial property management firm called the Plummer Johnson Group. The firm is a joint venture launched by Robert Plummer, founder of R.P. Lumber and an RCGA board member, and Terry Johnson, president of Johnson Properties Inc., a commercial real estate broker.
Based in Fairview Heights, Ill., the Plummer Johnson Group will service central and southern Illinois and will also help manage R.P. Lumber’s commercial property portfolio, according to the
St. Louis Business Journal.
The Plummer Johnson Group will remain independent of Johnson Properties and will be located in a separate office with a separate staff, according to Johnson.
FULL-SPEED AHEAD
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (R) talks about the bi-state partnership to seek federal recovery funds to establish a high-speed passenger rail line between Chicago and St. Louis as Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and RCGA President and CEO Dick Fleming look on in St. Louis on June 22. Just days after the federal government issued guidance to states on the application process for high-speed rail funding, the two governors also outlined their vision for a Chicago-to-St. Louis line as a tool for job creation and regional economic growth.
CORO ST. LOUIS HONORS
FIVE OUTSTANDING LEADERS
The Coro Leadership Center-St. Louis honored five outstanding individuals who have shown their strength in leadership and substance at a celebratory event at Norwood Hills Country Club on May 20.
The Coro Leadership Award recipients were Christopher “Kit” Bond, two-term Missouri governor and four-term U.S. Senator; June Fowler, communications vice president of BJC HealthCare; Dee Joyner, senior vice president of organizational development and community relations at Commerce Bank; Steve Maritz, chairman and CEO of Maritz Holdings; and Don Suggs, president and publisher of the weekly St. Louis American Newspaper.
These honored leaders are known for their inclusive leadership, an important aspect of Coro’s rigorous tradition of preparing aspirants to civic engagement.
STAN GELLMAN GRAPHIC DESIGN WINS
2009 INTERNATIONAL ASTRID AWARDS
Stan Gellman Graphic Design Inc. won three awards in the 2009 International Astrid Awards competition for outstanding achievement in design communications.
The firm earned a Silver Award for an employee communications project created for FMC Technologies Inc., a global provider of technology solutions for the energy industry and other industrial markets. Stan Gellman earned another Silver Award for the October 2008 issue of Commerce Magazine, the official publication of the
St. Louis RCGA. The firm won its third and final prize, a Bronze Award, for a 2008 annual report that it produced for LaBarge Inc., a provider of electronics to technology-driven companies.
Entries for the Astrid Awards are judged by an international panel of design professionals on the basis of concept creativity, clarity and production quality. The competition received nearly 600 entries from more than 18 countries.
REMEMBERING
MIKE ROSS
The region lost a business and civic leader with Mike Ross passing at age 60.
Since 1976, Ross held positions at the Bank of St. Louis, General Bancshares Corp., Capital Bancorporation Inc., Capital Bank and Trust Co. of Clayton, Union Planters Corp and Regions Financial Corp. At Regions, he managed the bank’s St. Louis area until February 2007, when he was promoted to regional president. In May, Ross was elected president of the
St. Louis Zoo Association.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis with a private burial at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to the St. Louis Zoo Association Big Cat Country, the Boy Scouts of America Greater
St. Louis Area Council or Junior Achievement.
GRAND CENTER ANNOUNCES 2009 VISIONARY AWARD WINNERS
Grand Center Inc. has revealed the seven women who have received the Seventh Annual Visionary Awards for their contributions to the St. Louis arts and culture community.
The awards recognize women who have been successful in their discipline and demonstrated a unique vision to further the arts in new and innovative ways. A ceremony and cocktail reception were held at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center.
“The caliber of nominations we received this year was incredible,” stated Peg Weathers, executive vice president of Grand Center. Grand Center created the Visionary Awards to highlight the wide-ranging work of female artists and arts leaders in the community and to raise funds for its ongoing efforts to redevelop the Grand Center District. Past honorees include Mary Strauss, Nancy Kranzberg, Mae Wheeler, Joan Lipkin, Jill McGuire and Jenna Fischer, star of the sitcom “The Office.”
The 2009 award winners are as follows:
President’s Award
Donna Wilkinson, one of St. Louis’ key fundraisers and a longtime
supporter of the Grand Center Arts District
Lifetime Achievement Award
Judith Aronson, a longtime local and national advocate and
philanthropist for the arts and education
Major Contributor to the Arts
Carol Staenberg, donor of more than $3 million over the past few
years to various organizations through the Staenberg Family Foundation
Outstanding Arts Professional
Roseann Weiss, director of community arts training and director of
the community art programs and public art initiatives for the
Regional Arts Commission
Successful Working Artist
Edna Patterson-Petty, a working fiber artist and professor
of art therapy at SIUE
Emerging Artist (age 22+)
Nicole Lemkemeier, a graduate of Washington University and owner of
Mirthworks, which specializes in hand-painted tile mosaic installations
Outstanding Arts Educator
Jessica Hentoff, artistic and executive director of Circus Harmony/Circus
Day Foundation and founder of the St. Louis Arches
THE CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS
WILL HOST 2009 U.S. WOMEN’S CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
The new Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis will host its second major chess event this
year when the 2009 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship comes to
St. Louis on Oct. 2 to 12. Competitors will vie for a total purse of $64,000 with the winner taking home $15,000, the highest first-place prize in the competition’s history. The chess club already hosted the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship earlier this year.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to host this major event in the
world of competitive chess,” stated Rex Sinquefield, a retired investment fund manager who founded the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
Invited players include the top nine U.S. women on the August 2009 United States Chess Federation rating list, as well as the defending champion, Olympic gold medalist Anna Zatonskih.
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit organization that opened in July 2008. It already has more than 500 members, surpassing its original goal of 300 for its first year
of operation.
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
COOKS UP HEALTHY LUNCH PROGRAM
Students in the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District are likely to eat healthier as local farmers enjoy an economic boost, thanks to a $248,000 “farm to school” grant to Saint Louis University. The Missouri Foundation for Health is supporting the HELP (Healthy Eating with Local Produce) program with an innovative funding grant that underwrites initiatives to tackle an old problem in a new way.
Saint Louis University’s multifaceted grant is designed to improve school lunches and teach business skills in the Maplewood Richmond Heights district, in which half of its students receive free or reduced-price lunches.
“While providing children with healthy food at school is a monumental challenge, it’s well worth the effort,” stated Mildred Mattfeldt-Beman, chair of the department of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University’s Doisy College of Health Sciences. “One of our goals is to hook children on eating locally grown
fruits and vegetables. We’ve devised a plan to get produce from the farm to the school, which benefits the local economy while providing food in its peak of flavor. We’re fighting pediatric obesity as we increase business for local farmers and keep dollars in the region.”
SLU will work with the Missouri Farmers Union to select area farmers who can replace foods on Maplewood Richmond Heights’ menu with locally grown produce. Sappington Market will transport the food. By the end of the three-year grant, 20 percent of the food the district serves will come from local farmers. The food will be prepared at the Salus Center on the SLU Medical Center campus and then delivered to Maplewood Richmond Heights, where it will be served in lunches at an early childhood center and at elementary, middle and high schools.
BRDG PARK GRAND OPENING AT THE DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER
On June 16th the new BioResearch and Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center opened the first of three buildings.
BRDG has been developed for plant and life sciences and clean-tech companies from the incubation stage to post-incubation stage. It is positioned to help tenant companies “bridge” the transition from innovative ideas to commercial success.
Located on the campus of the Danforth Plant Science Center, the world’s largest plant science research institute, the first building is an 110,000-square-foot, four-story facility featuring state-of-the-art wet labs and office space. Already more than 60 percent leased, the building’s tenants include Divergence, St. Louis Community College Center for Plant and Life Sciences, Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise, Monsanto, and Phycal LLC.
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
FORMS ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP
WITH BROOKINGS INSTITUTION
The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., and Washington University in St. Louis will begin offering joint programs that include internships, lectures and other educational activities.
“The Brookings Institution is a premier organization and we at the University value the many opportunities that will come to our students and faculty through the development of this partnership,” stated Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton. “Our historic ties are the foundation for significant educational and scholarly programs that will enhance the mission of both Brookings and Washington University. We are excited about the potential this partnership represents and will build on the important area of advanced education through our work with the Brookings Center for Executive Education.”
The new partnership between Brookings and Washington University could be considered a reunion of old friends. St. Louis businessman Robert S. Brookings (1850-1932) founded the D.C.-based think tank and, as a leader of Washington University’s governing board for 33 years, laid the foundation for the university to become a world-renowned institution.
A key element of the renewed partnership is that the Olin Business School will lead management of the Brookings Center for Executive Education, effective July 1. Known for its exceptional executive education for mid- and senior-level organizational leaders in the United States and abroad, the school will bring its approach to the Brookings Center for Executive Education, which offers courses that cover critical global issues, U.S.
policy-making, and public leadership for government and corporate leaders.
CONTROL TECHNOLOGY AND SOLUTIONS
RENOVATION WORK DELIVERS BIG ENERGY SAVINGS FOR QUINCY, ILL.
A $1.3 million facility upgrade at the City Hall in Quincy, Ill., has saved $53,000 in energy costs over six months thanks to the work of Control Technology and Solutions, a St. Louis-based design and construction firm.
A six-month audit conducted after the project’s completion in July 2008 revealed that the building’s heating and cooling retrofit is on pace to more than double the guaranteed annual energy savings of $45,000. A January 2009 energy appraisal found that the city had already achieved $27,000 in natural gas savings and $26,000 in electricity savings.
The retrofit also will cut operation and maintenance costs by more than
$56,000 annually as a result of installing
a high-efficiency heating and cooling
system and improving the design of the air delivery system.
“Comfort control in our building was impossible. Some offices were freezing and others were boiling. Compounded with astronomical utility bills, we had a huge problem,” stated Ken Cantrell, director of administrative services for the city of Quincy.
NATIONAL MARINA DAY IN ST. CHARLES AUGUST 8TH
Ever since the floods of 1983, boaters on the Missouri and Mississippi River
have been showcasing their recreational uniqueness and overall value of their industry. This year the tradition unfolds on Saturday, August 8th with the event “Show Me the Mississippi.”
That is National Marina Day and the
goal is the education of politicians, civic leaders and the public about the important role the marina industry plays in cities and towns along the waterway.
The local group will be showcasing some two dozen marinas located between the Winfield Dam and the Melvin Price Dam in Alton. This 40-mile stretch along the river with Grafton, Ill. at the midpoint is known primarily as the Alton Pool.
Last year, the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce took some 40 elected officials onto the river for a day of sun, fun,
barbeque and boating education.
“We’re celebrating America’s Gateway to Boating,” says Jim Marr chair of the Show Me group and principal of Safe Harbor Yacht Sales in St. Charles County.
The water route will be essentially River Bend to Grafton Harbor. The day begins with a noontime barbeque at Polestar Marina on Highway V in St. Charles and is open to the public and the officials, along with a boat ride along the river for the officials.
“We can get more done to promote the value and importance of the river as a group than we can by working as individual small business owners,” says Marr. Along the way, the local yacht sales companies will show off their boats and hold open house events. “No pressure, we just want people to see what we have to offer,” says Marr.
Scott Tate, president and CEO of the
St. Charles Chamber of Commerce is in the middle of the action. “We have three
kinds of boats we want to showcase. We will show everyone pontoon boats, a Gibson House Boat and a 42-foot Sea-Ray,” says Tate.
This day belongs to the public. Bands will be playing at the docks and the restaurants and bars along the way will gladly welcome visitors to their establishments. “This is our chance to reach out to public officials and the public. We’re glad to do that,” says Tate.
ST. PATRICK CENTER BUSINESS INCUBATOR LAUNCHES 11 NEW START-UP COMPANIES
The St. Patrick Center has announced that 11 new businesses are now operating in the BEGIN New Venture Center, a one-of-a-kind small business incubator at the agency’s Partnership Center in downtown St. Louis. Of these businesses, 8 are minority-owned and 5 are women-owned.
The new businesses benefit from a professional business location as well as an array of expert services and amenities. The BEGIN New Venture Center opened in October 2008 as the only small business incubator in the United States with a focus on the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.
The 11 new businesses are as follows:
• A.U. Innovative Land Mgmt. LLC
• Collective Catering
• Colortech Painting & Design LLC
• Craig & Toni Quality Products
• Grass Farms & Foods LLC
• Heaven Sent Building Maintenance & Janitorial Service LLC
• New Ideas Contracting
• Replenishing the Earth LLC
• Savannah’s FoodService Solutions
• The Serving Spoon
• Sweeties To Go
CLIMATE PROSPERITY PROJECT, INC. LAUNCHED
With environmental, energy and economic challenges facing the prosperity of metropolitan regions and states, economic development leaders from throughout the U.S. have launched Climate Prosperity Project Inc. Committed to the creation of a low-carbon and prosperous American economy, Climate Prosperity Inc. announced that it has selected eight Pilot Communities to demonstrate the viability of this new regional economic development strategy based on increasing “Green Savings, Green Opportunity, and Green Talent.”
Rockefeller Brothers Fund Program Director for Sustainable Development Michael Northrop noted, “Climate Prosperity Inc. is the new national nonprofit public-purpose organization to guide this important initiative forward. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund has committed $100,000 in startup funding for this new civic enterprise. Climate Prosperity Inc. will seek additional funding commitments from other foundations, philanthropic institutions, and companies throughout the nation to support this national civic venture.”
Richard C.D. Fleming, president and CEO of the St. Louis RCGA, and an active leader in the economic development community involved in the evolution of the concept of “climate prosperity,” observed, “The simple definition of Climate Prosperity as ‘green savings, green opportunity, and green talent’ has caught on across the country. Initial efforts in Pilot Communities are proving to be both inspirational and practical as economic development approaches.” He concluded, “Climate Prosperity Inc. hopes to assist those efforts and expand the number and the impact of climate prosperity strategies throughout the country.”
In the Fall of 2007, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund committed itself to the testing of the proposition that responding to climate change could represent not only an environmental imperative, but, in fact, also an extraordinary economic development opportunity. To explore this proposition, the Foundation contracted with Global Urban Development to convene a cross section of business, environmental, civic, and governmental leaders from a broad cross section of the country—along with subject experts in climate change, economic development, and public policy—to explore this issue.
To that end, the Foundation hosted and funded a series of dialogues at the Foundation’s conference center in Pocantico Hills, sponsored follow up sessions in Washington and San Jose, and engaged Doug Henton of Collaborative Economics in Silicon Valley, to give further definition and substance to this idea.
Through the eight Pilot Communities, Climate Prosperity, Inc. will showcase how innovation and economic development can move our society to a carbon-free future. The selected Pilot Communities are:
1. Silicon Valley/San Jose, Calif.
2. Portland, Ore.
3. St. Louis, Mo./Ill.
4. Denver, Colo.
5. Seattle, Wash.
6. Southwest Florida
7. Montgomery County, Md.
8. State of Delaware
Climate Prosperity is focused on creating important regional economic outcomes —Green Savings, Green Opportunity, and Green Talent—while reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
GREEN SAVINGS
Energy efficiency saves money, which keeps our dollars here in the U.S. and can be invested in our businesses to create jobs or spent by citizens at local shops and restaurants. Energy efficiency is the quickest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and bring prosperity to individuals, businesses, and communities.
GREEN OPPORTUNITY
Addressing the challenges of climate change leads to innovation, entrepreneurship, and strong economic growth. Silicon Valley, the iconic center of American innovation, is betting its future on clean energy technology. DuPont, in Delaware, added $3 billion to its bottom line through energy efficiency, new revenue streams for green building products, and bio-based energy.
GREEN TALENT
To achieve building retrofits, renewable energy installations, etc., entrepreneurs, scientists, and construction workers are needed to get the job done. Communities must ensure they have a trained workforce to prosper during this transformation.
A REGIONAL APPROACH
The urgency of the climate challenge calls for greenhouse gas reductions across the United States as soon as possible. Localities and regions control or directly influence many of the policies, laws, personnel, and infrastructure needed to move forward on opportunities from renewable energy to building codes to transportation. People at the local level know how to encourage innovation and economic development.
For further information on Climate Prosperity Project, Inc., go to ClimateProsperityProject.org
ILLINOIS SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN CULLERTON ADDRESSES RCGA ON STATE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BILL
On June 18th, the RCGA welcomed Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) to speak at the RCGA Board of Directors meeting and at a luncheon with the Illinois Public Affairs Committee and Public Policy Council. Sen. Cullerton’s address was very timely, considering the Illinois General Assembly reconvened on June 16th to tackle the state’s budget and to send the capital bill to Gov. Quinn. Sen. Cullerton was introduced at the RCGA meetings by Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne (D-Belleville). Also participating in the
discussion on the Illinois legislative session were Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), Rep. Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville) and Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan. The RCGA thanks Tom Minogue, Chairman of Thompson Coburn LLP for bringing Sen. Cullerton to St. Louis.
Senator Cullerton spoke of his success in achieving bi-partisan support for passage of Illinois capital bill—the first since 1999. The capital bill includes several important projects for Southwestern Illinois, such as a new science building at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, funding for MetroLink extension to Scott Air Force Base, regional road improvements, the Rivers Edge brownfield cleanup in East St. Louis, and funding for high-speed rail between Chicago and
St. Louis. These projects were priority items
in the RCGA legislative agenda. Sen. Cullerton remarked that the Southwestern Illinois
delegation was particularly adept in securing projects for their region. He expects
Gov. Pat Quinn to sign the capital bill.
On the subject of the state’s $9 billion operating budget deficit for next year,
Sen. Cullerton indicated that a tax increase is necessary to avoid severe service cuts in social and human service programs across the state. With a special session, the budget will require a 2/3rds vote for passage,
requiring Republican support for a tax
increase. He closed his talk with optimism that an agreement could be reached to fix Illinois deficit and move forward with the state’s priorities.
