The Regional
Business Council at the RCGA, made up of executives from major
large- to medium-size regional companies, is dedicated to increasing
the number of businesspersons involved in and investing in regional
growth.
Arnold W. Donald: Global Business...Local Commitment
Arnold
W. Donald |
Arnold W. Donald, chairman and CEO of Merisant Company, which
manufactures and sells Equal and other leading tabletop sweetner
brands, shapes the present and future of local organizations
by accepting active positions on their boards. Though he has
national and global commitments to his tabletop sweetener company,
St. Louis can continue to count on Donald’s active involvement
as a leader and role model for the region. Furthermore, he is
working with his partners to establish a major biosciences fund
to be based in St. Louis as part of the BioBelt.
At present, Donald is a member of eight Boards in the St. Louis
area including The Regional Business Council, The MUNY, The
Saint Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis RCGA, and The Repertory
Theatre of St. Louis. He is involved in national and international
civic efforts, and is committed to the welfare of the country
by serving as a special Presidential appointee.
A prime example of his local civic commitment is Donald’s involvement
with Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ 25th season gala celebration
that he co-chaired with fellow Council member, Steven N. Cousins,
a partner of Armstrong Teasdale LLP, and community volunteer,
Kimmy Brauer. Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha was the feature production
showcasing young professional African-American singers and dancers.
The event raised $1.8 million, but more importantly, mentions
Donald, is that “the production celebrated valuing diversity
in St. Louis.”
Civic engagement is an interest that Donald shares with his
wife, Hazel. Together they are highly involved in the region
as well as their alma mater, Carleton College in Northfield,
Minn. They also have established a scholarship program for high
school students so that others can have the wide range of opportunities
afforded to them by a Carleton education. Mrs. Donald is a teacher
at Whitfield School. The Donalds have three children: Radiah,
Alicia and Zachary.
Awards, Honors and Recognition to Regional Business Council
Members
Karen Carroll, general manager of KMOX Radio, will co-chair
the May 2001 Leffingwell Society Luncheon. Annually this event
honors the creator of Forest Park, Hiram W. Leffingwell, and
recognizes individuals, foundations and corporations who make
leadership gifts of $1,000 and more to Forest Park Forever’s
Annual Friend’s Campaign.
Steven N. Cousins, partner with Armstrong Teasdale, LLP,
E. Desmond Lee, chairman of the Des Lee Foundation and Jerry
McElhatton, senior executive vice president for MasterCard International,
have joined the St. Louis Variety Club. All will serve three-year
terms. John Bachmann, managing partner of Edward Jones is currently
a vice president and member of the Executive Committee and Terrance
C.Z. Egger, publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, is also
a member of the Executive Committee.
Bruce B. Holland, president of Holland-Hinrichs Construction
Co., received the Commitment to Community Award from the Belleville
Economic Progress, Inc. Ambassador Club for contributing a significant
number of volunteer hours and demonstrating a commitment to
improving the quality of life for Belleville residents.
David L. Steward, chairman and CEO of World Wide Technology,
Inc., joined the Board of Civic Progress and their first African-American
member who also owns a major company. Steward also joined the
Board of Cardinal Ritter Preparatory School.
For more information contact Kathy Osborn, director of the regional
business council and senior vice president RCGA, at 314/444-1160
or E-mail her at kosborn@stlrcga.org.
