Back by popular demand is pop artist Peter Max, who graciously contributed to the design last year for the Greater St. Louis Top 50 Awards. This month both our cover of St. Louis Commerce Magazine, as well as the theme for this year’s awards gala on December 17th, picks up the distinctive and unique art this artist made so famous in the 1960s. Not only does Max’s work provide a colorful and energetic image for the awards, but this year’s Top 50 also represents a rich cross section of entrepreneurs, mid-cap companies, long-established headquarter companies, and civic institutions that provide the backbone to St. Louis’ economy and enhance the region’s quality of life. This year’s Corporate Citizenship Award goes to an institution that not only provides us with world class healthcare, but also contributes to the civic infrastructure of the community. In addition to being Missouri’s and the St. Louis region’s largest employer, with more than 25,000 employees, BJC HealthCare plays a vital role in civic efforts in the community. This year’s Spirit of St. Louis Technology Award goes to MasterCard Worldwide. With its global operation’s headquarters in the St. Louis region in O’Fallon, Mo., MasterCard’s continuing improvement at technology has helped it emerge as a dominant industry leader. Congratulations are in order for Steve Lipstein, president and CEO of BJC and Roy Dunbar, president of global technology and operations at MasterCard. Keeping with the theme of economic vitality, this month’s Economic Update takes a fresh look at measuring the gross domestic product of the St. Louis region. This is Bryan Bezold’s last column as chief economist of the RCGA. After six years of helming RCGA’s economic analysis, St. Louis-based Ameren has recruited Bezold. Having originally hailed from Atlanta, where he was an economist with the utility Southern Company, this represents a return to his original industry. We wish Bryan well. Rounding out the focus on the economy is this month’s Spotlight on successful entrepreneur Bob Plummer of R.P. Lumber and its affiliated companies. From an abandoned lumberyard in Staunton, Ill., Bob has grown the enterprise into a $200 million business. And finally, with the long-planned Highway 40/I-64 closure set to take place January 2nd, this month’s issue provides a helpful user’s guide to getting around the closures during the $535 million reconstruction of St. Louis’ major commuter highway. 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

December 2007 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Steven H. Lipstein, president and CEO, BJC HealthCare W. Roy Dunbar, president, Global Technology & Operations, MasterCard Worldwide The Little Dancer Bill Schmidt Highway 40/I-64 User Guide - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.stlrcga.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Soy-based paints Chaifetz Arena Paul Manno Bob Plummer - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -