COMMERCE COMMENTS
This issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine finds a unique perspective on the latest chapter of one of St. Louis’ most
storied companies; namely, a conversation with Anheuser-Busch President and CEO, Dave Peacock, who assumes his new role after having led A-B’s highly successful marketing efforts. He describes how the new A-B InBev is building on the rich tradition of this global leader and St. Louis institution.
This edition also takes an indepth look at one of St. Louis’ strongest job-generating sectors; namely, the information-technology sector. We start with a roundtable including Joe Caro, CIO, Brown Shoe; Vinny Ferrari, CIO, Edward Jones; Steve Hassell, vice
president and CIO, Emerson; Bryan Doer, CTO, Savvis; and Brigadier General Daniel Dinkins Jr., U.S. Air Force, director of command, control, communications and
computer systems at the U.S. Transportation Command on Scott Air Force Base.
In other IT items, St. Louis Commerce looks back on this year’s Gateway to Innovation Conference, which highlighted IT as an economic driver of industry. This edition also examines the Bounce Back program, a joint initiative of the RCGA and 16 partner organizations. It enables laid-off tech workers to apply for and receive federal/state money that pays for retraining courses at 31 colleges, schools and universities.
The indepth look at IT also includes a discussion with business deans from around the region, who weigh in on the growth of IT in St. Louis.
In a world where everything is coming up green, there is an article in this month’s edition about RCGA’s recent adopting of a green server infrastructure through its IT provider, Plaza Information Technologies.
Staying with the green theme, this month’s book review is focused on the green revolution. Peter Senge, the author of “The Necessary Revolution,” and a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, recently spent time in St. Louis focusing on the issue of sustainability and how it represents opportunities for economic growth in St. Louis.
Speaking of economic growth, this issue of St. Louis Commerce hears from a leader of an initiative focused on talent recruitment. Douglas Koch, senior vice president of human resources and chief talent officer for Brown Shoe discusses how talent recruitment should play an important part of the
St. Louis region’s economic strategy.
This edition also takes a look at some innovative aspects of education, including the Teach For America program, the Saint Louis Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science (YES) program, and the Today & Tomorrow Educational Foundation.
Finally in this issue of St. Louis Commerce, “A Day in the Work Life” features Elizabeth Stroble, new president of Webster University; our “Spotlight” features Linda Martinez, the director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development and Eric Rhone, president and CEO of Visions Management Group is profiled in this month’s “Business Portrait.”
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of
St. Louis Commerce Magazine. As always, please send your comments and suggestions to us at dfleming@stlrcga.org.
RICHARD C.D. FLEMING
Publisher
St. Louis Commerce Magazine
