Best of the Best By Shera Dalin A host of phenomenal companies makes up the Greater St. Louis Top 50 Awards for this, the 12th consecutive year that they have been presented by the St. Louis RCGA, in collaboration with the St. Louis office of Deloitte. The quality of the 120 nominees was top notch and made the selection committee’s job arduous. Those selected 2007 awardees represent the best of each of their respective fields and a commitment to making the St. Louis region strong economically and civically. When the Top 50 launched in 1996, the program focused on technology-related companies. Due to the great number of exceptional companies across all industries, the program was expanded in 2004 to recognize companies and organizations in all types of businesses that have made an economic and civic impact on our region. Criteria for selecting this year’s winners included: growth in number of employees, enhancement of the community, revenue growth, acquisitions, and expansion/development of facilities. The RCGA and Deloitte will recognize the winners of the 2007 Greater St. Louis Top 50 on December 17, at an awards presentation dinner at the Hyatt Regency, Union Station. This event continues to be popular with the business community for providing an opportunity for networking and sharing successes. Two special awards will highlight the awards presentation. For outstanding corporate citizenship, BJC Healthcare will receive the Corporate Citizenship Award. This award is presented to a company demonstrating exceptional commitment to enhancing the quality of life in St. Louis by providing community leadership in the areas of economic development, philanthropic giving, and has dedicated its time and resources to making positive changes that affect residents across the region’s social, cultural and economic spectrum. MasterCard Worldwide will receive the prestigious Spirit of St. Louis Technology Award, which is presented to an organization for its advancements in technology, continued success and commitment to the community. Top 50 sponsors are Edward Jones, KETC Channel 9, KMOX News/Talk 1120, Sigma-Aldrich, Southwest Bank and St. Louis Commerce Magazine. 2007 Corporate Citizenship Award BJC HealthCare For the area’s largest employer—BJC HealthCare—the art and practice of healing the sick has expanded into a commitment of keeping people healthy. Founded in 1993, the 13-hospital health care provider was selected as the Corporate Citizenship winner, in part, for its economic commitment to the region, but also for its efforts to educate all residents, including those in some of the region’s most economically challenged areas, about the importance of taking responsibility for improving their health. With more than 24,000 employees in the metropolitan area and revenues of $2.9 billion, BJC is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States. BJC facilities provide health care to the St. Louis area, mid-Missouri and southern Illinois regions and its services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice. The organization estimates that its payroll and $250 million in capital spending on renovations and other construction projects account for $1.62 billion in local economic impact annually. A community benefit organization, BJC provides approximately $140 million in unreimbursed charity care for patients at its hospitals, and that figure has increased over the years because of the growing number of patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Recognizing that uninsured patients need better access to appropriate primary health care services, BJC invests substantial funds and time with organizations like the St. Louis Regional Health Commission and the Missouri Foundation for Health, to help improve the region’s health care safety net. Steven H. Lipstein, president and CEO, BJC Healthcare “Being the largest employer comes with civic responsibilities. As a not-for-profit organization, we take seriously our responsibility to use our earnings for community benefit,” says Steven H. Lipstein, president and CEO of BJC HealthCare. “Health care is an exciting field right now,” continues Lipstein. “There is so much more we know about your individual health than we ever have before. And we are committed to using this knowledge to do more for patients and our communities than we have ever been able to do before.” BJC announced in early fall that it would join Washington University School of Medicine to build the $235 million BJC Institute of Health at Washington University. The Institute will house cutting-edge medical research within five centers: diabetic-cardiovascular disease, cancer genomics, membrane excitability disorders (such as epilepsy), women’s infectious diseases, and protein folding and neurodegeneration, which includes studying aging of the brain. The 11-story building is scheduled to open in December 2009 adjacent to Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “We have selected the five areas we think will have the greatest impact on human health,” Lipstein says. “There are only a few places in the world that have the size and scope of BJC HealthCare and the research of Washington University. That combination of resources is unparalleled.” Universities across country have been criticized by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for failing to work collaboratively with entrepreneurs to translate their scientists’ work into treatments or inventions that could be commercialized, thus expediting the time from “laboratory bench to bedside.” The BJC Institute of Health will take a large leap to bridge that gap and bring more scientific discoveries and processes to the marketplace. Beyond the contributions BJC HealthCare is making to the body of medical research, Lipstein notes that the organization consistently contributes to the economic prosperity of the region. Besides being the area’s largest employer, BJC attracts and retains a skilled workforce that helps bolster the financial vitality of the communities it serves. BJC has been a driving force in the revitalization of the City of St. Louis in general, and the Central West End in particular. “We have taken a multipronged approach in attracting more people to work at BJC,” Lipstein says. One component of that approach is creating the BJC Center for Lifelong Learning that provides comprehensive on-site training for employees at all levels of the organization, tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing college degrees, and several innovative programs for employees who want to earn their GED and continue to enhance their skills. “We are encouraging our employees to pursue additional education throughout their careers,” he says. BJC also operates the Missouri Baptist Clinical Nursing Institute, which provides skill updates for nurses re-entering the workforce after a hiatus, and the 600-student Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing, which opened a new state-of-the-art facility in November. Another element of employee education is the Health Education Institute at Alton Memorial Hospital. The Institute, which is under development, will provide clinical training for students in partnership with Lewis & Clark Community College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Educating the health care workforce of the future is very important, but BJC has also made a commitment to educating the region’s residents on the importance of taking charge of their health. BJC has developed a number of innovative programs outside of its hospitals’ walls, including partnering with the Saint Louis Science Center in presenting BJC SportsWorks in 2006 and serving as the Health Education Presenter for BodyWorlds 3, currently at the St. Louis Science Center. “Partnerships like these allow us to share important health information with a larger audience in a different environment,” according to Lipstein. BJC has also launched the “I’m Ready to Start” program. It includes health screenings and helping people understand and improve five key health risk factors: cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index and smoking. “The ‘I’m Ready’ program makes people more aware of high risk behaviors that can negatively impact their health and gives them information to make beneficial changes,” Lipstein says. The program has also been applied to BJC employees. Beginning in 2004, BJC employees began completing a confidential health risk appraisal that addresses those same five key health indicators. The organization also created a Web site, BJCHelpforYourHealth.org, that gives employees and the community information on a variety of health topics such as weight control, diet, exercise, disease management and more. BJC also created myHealthFolders.com, a convenient, confidential and secure web-based tool for managing personal health information. Originally developed for its employees, BJC now offers myHealth Folders to other employers willing to offer the service as a free benefit to their employees. Employers commit to paying a $5 fee for any of their employees who enroll and $1 a year per enrolled employee in the following years. So far, nearly 30 employers have signed on to offer myHealth Folders to their workers. “We believe myHealth Folders is an important tool to help people manage their own health care and the health care of their loved ones more appropriately,” Lipstein says. “If you think about it, you are your own best primary care provider.” BJC HealthCare Hospitals and Service Organizations Alton Memorial Hospital Barnes-Jewish Hospital Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital Boone Hospital Center Christian Hospital and Northwest HealthCare Clay County Hospital Missouri Baptist Hospital - Sullivan Missouri Baptist Medical Center Parkland Health Center Progress West HealthCare Center St. Louis Children's Hospital The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis BJC Behavioral Health BJC Community Health Literacy Services BJC Corporate Health Services BJC Home Care Services BJC Medical Group 2007 Spirit of St. Louis Technology Award MasterCard Worldwide Just as the credit card transactions it processes never cease, MasterCard pursues ongoing innovation at its O’Fallon, Mo., campus. That record of innovation is one the reasons MasterCard was selected as the 2007 Spirit of St. Louis Technology Award. The MasterCard Global Technology and Operations division has operated in this area for 30 years. At the O’Fallon complex, over 2,000 workers develop the code that enables the more than 16 billion credit card transactions the company processes annually. Those operations are housed in a 550,000-square-foot facility in which the company initially invested more than $136 million. Technologists in O’Fallon have been developing processes that will eventually change how credit card users worldwide use their plastic. MasterCard Pay Pass allows cardholders to tap their cards against a countertop reader, rather than having to swipe the card at the point of purchase. Radio frequency identification chips are embedded in this next generation of cards that are already in use in McDonald’s restaurants in St. Louis and nationwide. W. Roy Dunbar, president, Global Technology & Operations, MasterCard Worldwide “It’s an exquisite experience,” says W. Roy Dunbar, president, Global Technology and Operations, MasterCard Worldwide. Dunbar oversees MasterCard Worldwide’s strategic processing platform, global network and quality of operations. MasterCard and its bank issuers have distributed 16 million Pay Pass-enabled debit cards, and as more and more merchants add Pay Pass as a payment option, cardholders will be able to use the time-saving technology in an increasing number of locations. That’s already happening in Great Britain, France, Taiwan and Turkey, from which Dunbar recently returned after meetings to implement the system. In addition to McDonald’s, Pay Pass has also been adopted by the Taiwanese and New York City transit systems. Riders tap their cards against a turnstile and go through to the bus or subway car. No tokens, no fumbling for change. Merchants that deeply value speedy debit card transactions are rapidly adopting Pay Pass because, Dunbar says, they have discovered it diminishes the amount of time customers wait in lines, making the transaction simpler—and, ultimately, discouraging a customer from deviating to competitors. “A part of our philosophy is to assure that there is value to the transaction, not just in terms of the value of the transaction, but also in terms of the experience,” says Dunbar, a British-educated native of Jamaica, who speaks with an erudite British accent. Since the core of the Pay Pass technology was developed in O’Fallon, Dunbar is baffled that MasterCard doesn’t have a bigger name in St. Louis. “We seem to have been a very closely guarded secret here in St. Louis, but the brain trust that drives MasterCard operations exists here,” he says. “If it is a sin to drink any other beverage than Anheuser-Busch products here, perhaps it should follow that MasterCard be the most widely used card in this area.” MasterCard hasn’t tried to keep a low profile and, recently, has tried to take a more public role in dealing with one of its pressing issues: recruiting and retaining highly skilled technical workers. Such employees, especially those who develop Web-based applications and are skilled in Java technology, are becoming more difficult to find, he says. “We believe there has been month-over-month job growth, meaning that this is a tight labor force,” Dunbar says. He is also concerned that new graduates from St. Louis and other cities leave rather than take jobs here because they perceive the area as being less exciting than Silicon Valley or other tech areas. “I’m not entirely convinced that most of the citizens understand how dynamic a city this is. There isn’t an appreciation from graduates that they can have an exciting, dynamic career here in St. Louis,” he says. MasterCard has focused on recruiting interns from among the area’s master’s degree students, and is developing an internship program for undergraduates. The company is also upping its attempts to attract more minority workers. “In this way, we are trying to be part of the solution. We recognize that certain minorities are not fully represented, and we have a role to play. It’s important to let them know that our commitment to workforce diversity is not just lip service,” Dunbar says. MasterCard is also delving into elementary and secondary education by supporting Junior Achievement and other programs to enhance the teaching of math and science—important skill sets for future technology employees—in the schools. “A very high proportion of our employees are engaged with youth in schools; it may be in the Science Center, or facilitating robotics competitions, or facilitating a math summit that brought in the leading math educator from Singapore to provide experience in how to improve math education in St. Louis.” More than 100 educators and business people attended the MasterCard Math Education Summit Oct. 24 at the O’Fallon campus. It included discussions with Lianghuo Fan, Ph.D., who detailed how math teachers helped Singapore advance to one of the world’s highest rates of student math achievement. “We are quite dependent on a workforce that is deeply skilled in math and engineering. To know that the State is losing ground in those areas is disturbing,” Dunbar explains. “We held this summit to put our little drop in.” Dunbar is optimistic about MasterCard’s prospects in the region and sees growth ahead. Credit card transactions are climbing about 15 percent a year, and the company’s employee base is growing to accommodate the demand. “This is a phenomenal hive of activity,” Dunbar says. “We’ve grown really dramatically as a company.” 2007 Greater St. Louis Top 50 Award Winners: Abengoa Bioenergy US Advantage Capital Partners Ameren Corporation Ameristar Casino St. Charles Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Arcturis AT&T Missouri BJC HealthCare Bryan Cave LLP Bunzl Distribution USA Inc. Cass Information Systems Inc. Challenge Unlimited Inc. Charter Communications Inc. Chemir Analytical Services CitiMortgage Inc. Clayco Daugherty Business Solutions Enterprise Rent-A-Car Graybar Electric Company Inc. Harrah’s St. Louis Casino and Hotel HOK IMPACT Group KellyMitchell Group Inc. The Korte Company Laclede Gas Company The Lawrence Group Architects Inc. Logan College of Chiropractic Maritz Inc. MasterCard Worldwide McCarthy Building Companies MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Murphy Company National City Bank Nestlé Purina PetCare Company The Newberry Group Inc. Peabody Energy Pfizer St. Louis Laboratories Lumiére Place/Pinnacle Entertainment Ranken Jordan The Roberts Companies St. Louis Sports Commission SAVVIS Scottrade Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation Solutia Inc. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Tarlton Corporation TechGuard Security, LLC Walton Construction Company LLC Webster University World Wide Technology Inc. Abengoa Bioenergy US 1400 Elbridge Payne Road, Suite 212 Chesterfield, MO 63017 (636) 728-0508 www.abengoabioenergy.com Javier Salgado Leirado, CEO Ignacio Garcia Alvear, CFO Description: Abengoa Bioenergy is in the forefront of the ethanol industry and is committed to a policy of aggressive growth over the next several years. Employees: 2004: 41 2005: 52 2006: 65 History: Abengoa Bioenergy was founded in Seville, Spain in 2000. Three years later, the company bought High Plains Corporation; an ethanol company founded in 1980 in Wichita, Kan., and moved its world headquarters to the St. Louis area to take advantage of the region’s central location. With an aggressive research and development program, partnership with government agencies here and abroad and skillful trading in the ethanol and grain markets, the company continues to grow through new construction and acquisition, both here and abroad. Distinction: The largest producer of ethanol in Europe, the second largest producer of ethanol in the U.S. and the only international ethanol company to be present in the world’s three major ethanol markets. Abengoa Bioenergy’s success can be attributed to its early entry into the ethanol market before it boomed. The company has invested time, resources and capital in its research and development program in order to ensure the evolution and improvement of the industry’s technology in the future. Return to Top            Advantage Capital Partners 7733 Forsyth Boulevard, Suite 1850 Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 725-0800 www.advantagecap.com Scott A. Zajac, Senior Managing Director Thomas A. Boman, Senior Vice President-Finance Description: Advantage Capital is an adventure capital and private equity firm focused on business investments supporting economic development. Employees: 2004: 8 2005: 8 2006: 11 Annual Revenue: 2004: $712 million 2005: $763 million 2006: $801 million History: Advantage Capital was founded in 1992 by native St. Louisans to raise and invest private capital, in conjunction with state economic development initiatives established to attract investment to specific geographic areas that have been underserved by venture capital. The company has 15 years of experience combining business investments and economic incentives to deliver flexible risk capital for entrepreneurs. Distinction: In 2006, Advantage Capital invested nearly $20 million into the Missouri economy through six investments: Singulex, Waste Remedies, Quality Wood Products, Quick Study Radiology, Transaction Transport Technologies and Hammermill Lofts. All but one of these companies is located in St. Louis. By focusing its investments in Missouri communities, primarily in St. Louis, Advantage Capital facilitates growth in companies, often creating high-paying jobs that lead to the overall enhancement of a community. Return to Top            Ameren Corporation 1901 Chouteau St. Louis, MO 63103 (314) 621-3222 www.ameren.com Gary L. Rainwater, Chairman, President & CEO Warner L. Baxter, President, CEO Ameren Services Description: Ameren is a publicly owned electric and natural gas utility company that serves 3.4 million customers in Illinois and Missouri. Employees: 2004: 3,867 2005: 4,341 2006: 4,292 Annual Revenue: 2004: $5.1 billion 2005: $6.8 billion 2006: $6.9 billion History: The formation of Union Company, later known as Union Electric Company, took place in St. Louis in 1902. In 1904, the new company was faced with the daunting challenge of electrifying the St. Louis World’s Fair. In 1997, Union Electric merged with CIPSCO Incorporated and became Ameren Corporation. In 2003 and 2004, Ameren acquired two Illinois-based companies that are now known as AmerenCILCO and AmerenIP. Distinction: Ameren Corporation is the parent company of AmerenUE, Missouri’s largest electric utility, which now serves 1.2 million electric and natural gas customers across central and eastern Missouri. A Fortune 500 company, AmerenUE remains a major economic force in the region with nearly 4,300 employees that work and reside in the St. Louis metro area. Return to Top            Ameristar Casino St. Charles 1260 South Main Street St. Charles, MO 63301 (636) 940-4300 www.ameristar.com Jim Franke, Senior Vice President & General Manager Monty Terhune, Vice President of Finance Description: Ameristar Casino St. Charles is a gaming, dining, meeting and live entertainment venue with a new luxury hotel and spa. Employees: 2004: 1,958 2005: 1,966 2006: 1,899 Annual Revenue: 2004: $294 million 2005: $305 million 2006: $304 million History: Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nev., Ameristar has been a public company since 1993. In 2000, Ameristar purchased the St. Charles property from Station Casinos. The company now has a portfolio of eight casinos—including the recently added Resorts East Chicago—and is one of the top gaming companies in the United States. Distinction: Ameristar Casino St. Charles is one of the top entertainment destinations in the Greater St. Louis Area, registering 9.5 million visitors in 2006. In the past year, Ameristar has invested $265 million in recent expansion projects, including a 400-room, all-suite hotel and spa, a 2,300-space parking garage, and a 55,000-square-foot conference and meeting center. Return to Top            Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield 1831 Chestnut Street St. Louis, MO 63103 (314) 923-4444 www.bcbsmo.com Dennis Matheis, President Doug Bahr, Financial Account Director Description: A division of Indianapolis-based Anthem, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield administers health plans for individuals and groups. Employees: 2004: 954 2005: 876 2006: 937 Annual Revenue: 2004: $21 billion 2005: $45 billion 2006: $57 billion History: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has served the healthcare coverage needs of Missouri consumers since 1936. Formerly known as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, the company changed its name in April 2006. Distinction: Anthem is the largest provider of healthcare benefits in Missouri, serving approximately 1.1 million medical members, according to the organization’s Web site. The organization focuses on both quality of care and affordability of care, working with consumers, medical professionals, businesses, government entities and other insurers to find innovative solutions to challenges of the healthcare delivery system. Return to Top            Arcturis 1910 Pine Street St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 206-7100 www.arcturis.com Patricia Whitaker, President & CEO Mary Kay January, CFO Description: Privately owned Arcturis offers architecture, interior design, planning, facility management, technology services and graphic design. Employees: 2004: 61 2005: 81 2006: 120 History: Patricia Whitaker founded Arcturis in 1977 under the name Interior Space Inc. The firm initially specialized in interior design and then quickly expanded into architecture. As the firm grew it added planning, facility management and specialized technology services. In 1999, the name was changed to Arcturis to depict more accurately the firm’s full range of services. Distinction: In 2007, Arcturis celebrated its 30th anniversary and earned a number of national and regional accolades. Among its honors, Arcturis was named one of the top 150 design firms in the United States by Interior Design magazine and received the Mayor’s Spirit of St. Louis Award. Return to Top            AT&T Missouri 909 Chestnut Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 235-9800 www.att.com Cindy Brinkley, President, AT&T Missouri Description: Based in San Antonio, Texas, AT&T is the largest provider of both local and long distance telephone services, wireless service, and DSL Internet access in the United States. Employees: 10,000 as of August 2007 Annual Revenue: 2004: $40.7 million 2005: $43.7 million 2006: $63 million History: AT&T’s roots began in 1875 with founder Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone. During the next century, AT&T was part of a system that was broken up and then restructured through acquisitions. Most recently, SBC Communications Inc., AT&T Corp., BellSouth, and Cingular Wireless were brought together under one umbrella. The result is the new AT&T, which is poised to lead the telecommunications industry, offering high-speed Internet, television, wireline, and wireless services to consumers and businesses. Distinction: AT&T contributed over $1.6 billion to Missouri in 2006, including payroll, taxes, network investment, goods and services, grants and contributions, and volunteer hours. Additionally, AT&T announced last May it will spend $335 million over the next three years to beef up its fiber-optic network and upgrade video and Internet services across Missouri. Return to Top            Bryan Cave LLP 211 N. Broadway, Suite 3600 St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 259-2000 www.bryancave.com Don G. Lents, Chairman Mike Stolte, CFO Description: Bryan Cave provides legal counsel and advice to businesses and entrepreneurial clients on corporate, transactional and litigation law. Employees: 2004: 563 2005: 563 2006: 564 Annual Revenue: 2004: $374 million 2005: $398.5 million 2006: $411.5 million History: Bryan Cave was founded in St. Louis in 1873. It is Missouri’s largest law firm with 15 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. A leading law firm consistently ranked among the largest in the world, Bryan Cave’s practice is built on solid performance and dedication to clients—a wide array of businesses, financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, government entities and individual clients. Distinction: Bryan Cave has a diversified national and international practice and is a leader among corporate, transactional and litigation law firms. Significant 2007 awards include scoring 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, being named One of the Best Law Firms for Women by Working Mother magazine, receiving a strong ranking by Chambers USA, high marks from Legal 500 and being honored for Technology Leadership by CIO 1000. Bryan Cave strongly encourages all of its lawyers to engage in pro bono work. Return to Top            Bunzl Distribution USA Inc. 701 Emerson Road, Suite 500 St. Louis, MO 63141 (314) 997-5959 www.bunzldistribution.com Pat Larmon, President & CEO Jane Jennewein, Senior Vice President, Finance Description: Bunzl Distribution USA Inc. supplies disposable paper and plastic packaging products and other supplies to an array of businesses and industries. Employees: 2004: 169 2005: 173 2006: 202 Annual Revenue: 2004: $2.6 billion 2005: $3.0 billion 2006: $3.5 billion History: Founded in 1983, Bunzl Distribution USA Inc. is the largest division of Bunzl plc, an international distribution and outsourcing group headquartered in London. Bunzl employs 3,500 people in more than 90 locations in North America, serving all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Caribbean and parts of Mexico. Distinction: Bunzl Distribution has acquired seven companies throughout North America over the last 12 months. The company is enacting several initiatives aimed at lessening its environmental impact, including a recycling program, a reduction in electricity usage throughout its 92 North American distribution centers, and an array of eco-friendly packaging products for its customers. Return to Top            Cass Information Systems Inc. 13001 Hollenberg Drive Bridgeton, MO 63044 (314) 506-5500 www.cassinfo.com Lawrence A. Collett, Chairman of the Board & CEO P. Stephen Appelbaum, CFO Description: Cass is an information services company with a primary focus on transaction processing in the area of payables and payables-related services. In addition to information services, Cass also owns Cass Commercial Bank, which provides commercial banking services. Employees: 2004: 292 2005: 311 2006: 322 Annual Revenue: 2004: $64.7 million 2005: $76.9 million 2006: $89.8 million History: Cass was founded in 1906 as Cass Avenue Bank. Since its founding, the Cass organization has continually renewed and reinvented itself in response to a changing and challenging marketplace becoming a leader in its information services market. Distinction: Cass was named one of the best 200 small companies in America for 2006 by Forbes. In 2007, its chairman and CEO, Lawrence Collett, was named one of the best CEO’s in the nation by DeMarche Associates Inc. In addition, its Transportation Information Services business unit ranks as the leading provider of freight invoice payment, audit and rating services in North America; its Utility Information Services business unit has become the leading back-office provider of energy information in North America; and its Telecom Information Services unit is a leader in the growing telecom expense management market. Return to Top            Challenge Unlimited Inc. Four Emma Kaus Lane Alton, IL 62002 (618) 465-0044 www.cuinc.org Tom Moehn, President & CEO Charlotte Jones, CFO Description: Challenge Unlimited provides vocational training, employment, various support services, and living arrangement opportunities to individuals with all types of disabilities. Employees: 2004: 1,000 2005: 1,000 2006: 1,000 Annual Revenue: 2004: $26 million 2005: $27 million 2006: $27 million History: Challenge was founded in 1960 to establish, maintain and operate vocational evaluation and training programs, and a sheltered workshop for individuals with mental, emotional or physical disabilities. Today, Challenge integrates individuals with disabilities into mainstream society through educational opportunities, personal adjustment training, vocational training and community-integrated housing and employment. Distinction: Challenge has a direct economic and social service impact on the local community. Jobs created by Challenge provide premium pay and full health benefits, allowing many individuals to become taxpaying members of society and decrease or eliminate their dependence on government assistance. Without Challenge’s involvement, these individuals would likely be among the nearly 70 percent of individuals with disabilities that are currently unemployed in the United States. Return to Top            Charter Communications Inc. 12405 Powerscourt Drive St. Louis, MO 63131 (314) 543-2215 www.charter.com Neil Smit, President & CEO J.T. Fisher, Senior Vice President & CFO Description: Charter Communications is a publicly owned tele-communications company that provides broadband cable, high-speed data and telephone service to customers across the country. Employees: 2004: 1,713 2005: 2,091 2006: 2,150 Annual Revenue: 2004: $4.9 billion 2005: $5.2 billion 2006: $5.5 billion History: Charter Communications Inc. was founded and headquartered in 1993 in St. Louis. In 1998, the company added more than 3.8 million customers, and an initial public offering followed in late 1999. Today, Charter is the third largest publicly traded cable operator in the United States and serves more than 5.7 million customers in 29 states. Distinction: Charter is a Fortune 500 company whose chairman and largest shareholder is Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. During the last five years, Charter has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrading its network. Since 2004, the company spent an additional $32 million dollars enhancing its facilities to provide Charter Telephone in the region. Return to Top            Chemir Analytical Services 2672 Metro Boulevard Maryland Heights, MO 63043 (314) 291-6620 www.chemir.com Shri Thanedar, Chairman Edward Kuper, Controller Description: Chemir provides analytical testing of pharmaceuticals and other materials. Employees: 2004: 53 2005: 57 2006: 68 Annual Revenue: 2004: $13 million 2005: $16 million 2006: $24 million History: Dr. Thanedar purchased the company in 1990 when its sales were $150,000. Through aggressive marketing, expansion of services to include interpretation of data and problem solving and hiring PhD level scientists, the company rapidly expanded necessitating moving to new headquarters in 1994. From 1996 through 2004, Chemir acquired five businesses to augment its internal growth. Distinction: Chemir recognizes the evolution of the business environment of the United States and has played a role in the production of a knowledge-based economy. Long an advocate of the protection of intellectual property rights, Chemir has helped advance the Greater St. Louis area economy by bringing knowledge-based work to St. Louis from all over the world. Chemir’s non-routine problem solving is unique and customers come to St. Louis to find Chemir, either physically or via the World Wide Web. Return to Top            CitiMortgage Inc. 1000 Technology Drive O’Fallon, MO 63368 (636) 261-0251 www.citimortgage.com Bill Beckmann, President Paul Ince, CFO Description: A privately held full-service real estate development, design and construction firm, Clayco specializes in “the art and science of building.” Employees: 2004: 750 2005: 800 2006: 950 Annual Revenue: 2004: $388.5 million 2005: $471 million 2006: $640 million History: In 1973, Citi (then Citicorp) purchased a small St. Louis company called Acceptance Finance. After a series of changes and expansions, the Citicorp Mortgage Division, in 1987, became Citicorp Mortgages Inc. Eleven years later, Citicorp became Citigroup after merging with Travelers Group and, a year later, having acquired Source One Mortgage Corporation, consolidated the companies to become CitiMortgage. In the past decade, CitiMortgage has acquired and integrated First Nationwide Mortgage Company, Principal Residential Mortgage and ABN AMRO Mortgage Group. In addition to operations in St. Louis that include the headquarters in O’Fallon and a Records Center in St. Charles, CitiMortgage has employees from Maryland to California. Distinction: CitiMortgage has become the third largest originator and third largest servicer of residential mortgage loans in the United States. It is a St. Louis footprint of the largest financial institution in the world, Citi. Citi’s commitment to its communities combines financial giving, volunteerism and leadership through board participation. Last year, Citi donated a total of $1.3 million in local charitable funding and contributed 47,000 volunteer hours. Return to Top            Clayco 2199 Innerbelt Business Center Drive St. Louis, MO 63114 (314) 429-5100 www.claycorp.com Robert G. Clark, Chairman & CEO Greg Beck, Senior Vice President & CFO Description: A privately held full-service real estate development, design and construction firm, Clayco specializes in “the art and science of building.” Employees: 2004: 750 2005: 800 2006: 950 Annual Revenue: 2004: $388.5 million 2005: $471 million 2006: $640 million History: Founded in 1984, Clayco has built its business on innovative construction methods, strong community commitment and ethical business practices. Started by Chairman and CEO Bob Clark, Clayco is headquartered in St. Louis and has full service offices in Chicago and Detroit. Clayco continually searches for new ways to provide the highest quality service to its clients, offering a real estate/development department, architectural services through Forum Studio Inc., and concrete construction through Concrete Strategies. Distinction: Clayco is consistently ranked among the best in the commercial real estate/construction industry. The company sets industry standards in both safety and diversity. Clayco also leads the industry in innovative construction technologies and is continually implementing new methods that result in faster, cheaper and better facilities for its clients. Clayco maintains a strong commitment to the City of St. Louis and the surrounding area, and actively seeks out opportunities to improve the St. Louis community. Return to Top            Daugherty Business Solutions Three CityPlace Drive, Suite 400 St. Louis, MO 63141 (314) 432-8200 www.daugherty.com Ron Daugherty, President & CEO Mike Garofalo, CFO Description: Daugherty Systems provides technology-consulting services to companies in virtually every major industry. Employees: 2004: 184 2005: 156 2006: 225 Annual Revenue: 2004: $49 million 2005: $56.6 million 2006: $70.1 million History: Since 1985, Daugherty has helped companies achieve business objectives through the integration of business processes and leading technology. Daugherty Business Solutions concentrates on four core lines of service: custom application development and systems integration, business intelligence and data warehousing, ERP and CRM solutions, and mobile solutions. Distinction: The St. Louis Business Journal ranked Daugherty as the largest web design company since 2003 and in the top 10 for the largest management consulting companies. The firm’s employee turnover rate is half of the consulting industry’s average, which it attributes in part to a local delivery model that keeps employees working and living in the same city. Return to Top            Enterprise Rent-A-Car 600 Corporate Park Drive St. Louis, MO 63105 (314) 512-5000 www.enterprise.com Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman & CEO William Snyder, Executive Vice President & CFO Description: Enterprise is the largest car rental company in North America. Employees: 2004: 3,032 2005: 3,284 2006: 3,386 Annual Revenue: 2004: $7.4 billion 2005: $8.2 billion 2006: $8.9 billion History: In 1957, Enterprise car rental began as a leasing business in the basement of a Midwest car dealership. Founder Jack Taylor noticed a handful of co-workers, not only fielding phone calls, calculating rates and prepping cars, but also doing so with extraordinary passion and focus—a dedication to his vision of superior customer service that would make Enterprise the largest car rental company in North America. Distinction: Known for its commitment to service, Enterprise has been repeatedly named number one in customer satisfaction in the car rental industry. The company hires smart, motivated individuals and teaches them to run a business by delivering exceptional customer service. As employees advance within the Enterprise system, the company’s growth drives its financial rewards and continues to attract more top talent. Enterprise rewards entrepreneurship and has thrived by providing employees with a sense of ownership, encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit and providing extensive training as well as the resources of a multi-billion-dollar, multinational company. Return to Top            Graybar Electric Company Inc. 34 N. Meramec Avenue Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 573-9200 www.graybar.com Robert A. Reynolds Jr., Chairman, President & CEO D. Beatty D’Alessandro, Senior Vice President & CFO Description: Locally headquartered, Graybar offers electrical and telecommunications service solutions and related supply chain management and logistics services to clients on an international basis. Employees: 2004: 784 2005: 780 2006: 822 Annual Revenue: 2004: $4.1 billion 2005: $4.3 billion 2006: $5.0 billion History: Graybar’s roots date back to the supply division of the Western Electric Company that was founded by Enos Barton and Elisha Gray in 1869. Graybar became its own entity in 1925 and was purchased by its employees in 1929. Distinction: Graybar is a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America. In 2008, the company will celebrate its headquarters’ 25th anniversary in Clayton. This year, Graybar participated in major projects that included Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University, Lumière Place, the Casino Queen, and the St. Anthony’s Medical Center renovation. Return to Top            Harrah’s St. Louis Casino and Hotel 777 Casino Center Drive Maryland Heights, MO 63043 (314) 770-8100 www.harrahsstlouis.com Arnold Block, Senior Vice President & General Manager Greg Hinton, Vice President of Finance Description: Harrah’s Entertainment is the world’s premier and largest provider of branded casino entertainment. Employees: 2004: 1,250 2005: 1,900 2006: 2,100 Annual Revenue: 2004: $274 million 2005: $294million 2006: $314 million History: Founded in 1937 in Reno, Nev., Harrah’s is the most service-oriented, geographically diversified company in gaming. Harrah’s Entertainment owns or manages through various subsidiaries nearly 40 casinos in three countries, primarily under the Harrah’s, Caesar’s and Horseshoe brand names. Harrah’s St. Louis opened its doors to the public on March 11, 1997 in conjunction with Players Island casinos. In 2000, Harrah’s Entertainment acquired Players Island, creating an all-encompassing property entertainment operation. Distinction: Harrah’s is the number one casino company in the world. Locally, Harrah’s St. Louis has over 2,100 employees. Harrah’s works with the International Institute to place new émigrés in jobs with growth opportunity and, with over 100 vendor partners, represents women and minority-owned businesses throughout the region with over $596 million in direct and indirect economic impact. Return to Top            HOK 211 North Broadway, Suite 700 St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 421-2000 www.hok.com Clark Davis, FAIA, Vice Chairman Bob Pratzel, CFO Description: St. Louis-based HOK provides architecture, engineering, interior design, planning and consulting services to clients around the world. Employees: 2004: 219 2005: 219 2006: 222 Annual Revenue: 2004: $333 million 2005: $405 million 2006: $479 million History: In 1955, George Hellmuth, Gyo Obata and George Kassabaum launched HOK in St. Louis. The firm earned national attention in 1962 for designing the St. Louis Priory Chapel. In the 1970s, HOK expanded by geography, building type and specialty practice. The firm entered the global stage in the 1980s and is now ranked No. 32 on Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms for 2007. Distinction: HOK had its most successful year ever in 2007 with projected revenue of $591 million (a 23 percent increase over 2006). The firm recently completed new spaces for The Muny, St. Louis Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and FOCUS St. Louis. Current projects include facility expansions for Centene Corporation, Brown Shoe Corporation, Saint Louis Art Museum and Pinnacle-Lumiére Place. Return to Top            IMPACT Group 12977 North Outer Forty Drive, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63141 (314) 453-9002 www.impactgrouphr.com Laura L. Herring, President & CEO Description: IMPACT Group, a privately held WBE-certified company headquartered in St. Louis, is a recognized leader in career management services specializing in outplacement, spouse employment and family relocation transition support and retirement coaching. Employees: 2004: 59 2005: 56 2006: 66 History: Founded in 1988 by Laura Herring, St. Louis-based IMPACT started out as a one-woman company. Today the Company take out boasts 150 employees and more than 300 contractors. Distinction: IMPACT has put over $18 million back into the economy through significant sales growth (300 percent). By acquiring Spherion Corporation’s Human Resource Consulting Division (HRC), IMPACT added an additional 150 Fortune 500 clients. Today, the Company can boast 300 of the Fortune 500 as clients. In addition, IMPACT has added 50 employees and more than 150 additional contractors, all investing in the St. Louis economy. IMPACT has been recognized as the Most Innovative Global HR Company this year by Global HR News Magazine. Return to Top            KellyMitchell Group Inc. 101 S. Hanley Road, Suite 1100 Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 727-1700 www.kellymitchell.com Cassandra Sanford, CEO Rebecca Boyer, CFO Description: KellyMitchell is an Infor-mation Technology consulting firm specializing in providing staff augmentation to Fortune 100 corporations. Employees: 2004: 150 2005: 250 2006: 325 History: KellyMitchell was founded by former Boeing employees in 1998 under the premise that outsourcing, specifically technology consulting, was the wave of the future. Since that time, the Company has inched its way into the St. Louis market and most recently, the national marketplace by establishing its reputation with Fortune 100 cliental as a responsive, customer-service oriented provider of high quality technical resources on a moment’s notice. Distinction: KellyMitchell has brought potential technologists from around the country to St. Louis to increase the area’s technology talent pool. It was named Entrepreneur of the Year and presented an award by Oprah Winfrey and the WBDC of Chicago, partner organization of WBENC-Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. The Company was also recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the top 500 fastest-growing private U.S. Companies in 2005 and 2006 and by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of the largest Information technology consulting companies in the metropolitan area. Return to Top            The Korte Company The Annex, Suite 200 700 Union Station St. Louis, MO 63103 (314) 231-3700 www.korteco.com Todd Korte, President & CEO Bill Boudouris, Executive Vice President, Finance/CFO Description: A leader in design-build and construction management services. Employees: 2004: 228 2005: 236 2006: 241 Annual Revenue: 2004: $135.1 million 2005: $282.2 million 2005: $214.9 million History: The Korte Company was founded in 1958 on the belief that professionalism, quality and value-added services are fundamental to a successful company. Throughout its history, Korte has pioneered construction management as an effective project delivery method. With more than 1,500 successfully completed projects, it emphasizes a project-oriented focus on quality, engineering, management, adherence to schedule and owner satisfaction. Distinction: The Korte Company has been a key player in attracting businesses to the area since its inception and continues to form a strong relationship between the area and potential clients. With a goal of complete satisfaction, Korte matches the expertise of its team with specific projects utilizing proactive planning and communication to streamline the process and ensure on-time or early completion. Korte’s Business Development Staff brings new companies to the area while offering expansion solutions to existing companies. Return to Top            Laclede Gas Company 720 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 342-0500 www.lacledegas.com Douglas H. Yaeger, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO Mark D. Waltermire, Senior Vice President & CFO Description: A public utility, Laclede Gas serves more than 86 percent of the total heating market in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Employees: 2004: 1,921 2005: 1,933 2006: 1,874 Annual Revenue: 2004: $869 million 2005: $978 million 2006: $1.1 billion History: Chartered by the Missouri General Assembly in 1857, from its beginning Laclede Gas has been a building block of local business and residential communities. One of the original twelve stocks selected for the original Dow Jones list of New York Stock Exchange traded companies; Laclede Gas helped fuel the massive growth of industry and commerce during the mid-to-late 1800s. In the 20th Century, it developed a strong presence in the residential heating and cooking markets and now provides the majority of heating needs in the metropolitan area. Laclede is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Distinction: Laclede Gas is an essential, reliable foundation to the area’s infrastructure. It has helped put St. Louis at the forefront of the green building program by providing the rating and certifying function for all “green” residential construction projects submitted through the Home Builders Association-Green Building Initiative. Throughout its 150 years, it has supported and continues to support organizations that enhance the region. Return to Top            The Lawrence Group Architects Inc. 319 N. 4th Street, Suite 1000 St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 231-5700 www.thelawrencegroup.com Stephen A. Smith, President & CEO Laura Conrad, CFO Description: The Lawrence Group is one of the largest building design, planning and project delivery firms in St. Louis. Employees: 2004: 80 2005: 104 2006: 136 Annual Revenue: 2004: $16 million 2005: $29.8 million 2006: $56.8 million History: Lawrence Group began as an architectural firm 24 years ago in the friendships among three students at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. One of the region’s largest and fastest-growing building design, planning and project delivery firms, it is headquartered in St. Louis’ historic business district and includes 200 employees across five U.S. offices. Distinction: Lawrence Group is one of the area’s top organizations in creating new homes and new neighborhoods and revitalizing historic urban neighborhoods. It is represented in residential development as diverse as Moolah Temple, City Hospital/Georgian and the Syndicate Trust Building and has provided new neighborhood destinations including Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood, Niche Furniture Showroom and the Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center. Not only recognized for architectural practice, Lawrence Group has created four more related professional service businesses headquartered in a single downtown block. Return to Top            Logan College of Chiropractic 1851 Schoettler Road Chesterfield, MO 63017 (636) 227-2100 www.logan.edu George A. Goodman, DC, President Patricia Marcella, CFO Description: Logan operates five fee-for-service chiropractic teaching clinics. In addition to being an education facility, Logan provides annual healthcare services to more than 3,800 patients through eight local health centers. Employees: 2004: 160 2005: 163 2006: 170 History: Founded in 1935 to provide intensive, thorough training for students in chiropractic, Logan is the second largest of 17 chiropractic colleges in North America. A nationally recognized faculty and commitment to research and state-of-the-art technology and facilities have made it a leader in its field. Since its founding, Logan has graduated more than 8,500 professionally trained doctors of chiropractic. Distinction: Logan is an institution with a vision to the future. Recently, the school instituted a master’s degree in sports science and rehabilitation. After five years of planning, Logan is now able to educate concurrently DCs and PhDs through a pilot program with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Washington University. Logan plays an increasingly important economic role in the St. Louis area with a $48 million impact on the local economy. Return to Top            Maritz Inc. 1375 N. Highway Drive Fenton, MO 63099 (636) 827-4000 www.maritz.com Steve Maritz, Chairman & CEO Rick Ramos, CFO Description: Maritz helps companies tap into the potential of employees, sales partners and customers through market research, learning solutions, incentive programs, rewards solutions and other programs. Employees: 2004: 2,377 2005: 2,014 2006: 2,044 History: Maritz originated in 1894 as the E. Maritz Jewelry Manufacturing Company. Its reputation for quality and reliability led to endeavors in incentives and travel industries. Maritz honed its focus and now characterizes itself as a “one-stop-shop for organizations looking to understand, enable and motivate their people to achieve business results.” Distinction: With a 100-year history in St. Louis, Maritz employs more than 2,000 people in the community and continues to recruit high-caliber employees locally. Maritz consistently is recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as a Best Place to Work and one of the Top 150 Privately Held Companies. In addition, national media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and NBC’s “The Today Show” have showcased Maritz’s leadership and insights into the marketplace. Return to Top            McCarthy Building Companies 1341 North Rock Hill Road St. Louis, MO 63124 (314) 968-3300 www.mccarthy.com Michael Bolen, Chairman & CEO George Scherer, CFO Description: One hundred percent employee-owned, McCarthy is St. Louis’ largest builder and the nation’s 10th largest domestic builder. Employees: 2004: 520 2005: 550 2006: 610 Annual Revenue: 2004: $1.4 billion 2005: $1.9 billion 2006: $2.3 billion History: Incorporated in Missouri in 1907, and headquartered in St. Louis since 1917, McCarthy has long been committed to building a better St. Louis. Through strategic planning, a commitment to deliver excellence and a legacy of exceptional employees, McCarthy has established a national reputation for solving the toughest construction challenges. Distinction: Since its inception, McCarthy has completed more than $6 billion of work in the metro area. Currently, McCarthy has over $1.2 billion of work underway in the region. The 2005 and 2006 Contractor of the Year and the recipient of the 2007 National Safety Excellence Award, McCarthy’s work is evident in all—healthcare, education, entertainment, retail, hospitality, research, transportation, industrial and power—aspects of the local market sector. Return to Top            MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries 1727 Locust Street St. Louis, MO 63103 (314) 241-3464 www.mersgoodwill.org Dr. Lewis C. Chartock, President & CEO Dawayne Barnett, CFO Description: MERS/Goodwill provides employment and rehabilitation services for people with barriers to employment. Employees: 2004: 508 2005: 523 2006: 843 Annual Revenue: 2004: $51.9 million 2005: $58.9 million 2006: $68.4 million History: MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries is the product of a 2001 merger between Metropolitan Employment Rehabilitation Service (MERS) and Missouri Goodwill Industries. Goodwill Industries was founded by a Methodist minister in Boston in 1902 to raise money through thrift sales. MERS is a vocational training organization established in St. Louis in 1940 to assist refugees from Nazi Germany. Today, the combined organizations operate 39 thrift stores in the bi-state region and offer career training services. Distinction: As the largest nonprofit provider of employment services in Missouri, MERS/Missouri Goodwill helps thousands of unemployed individuals and welfare recipients find employment. In 2006, the organization served 9,852 clients and placed 2,903 of them in full-time employment. Between 2004 and 2006, revenue jumped approximately $11 million and investments in store start-ups and new community services increased by more than 250 percent. Return to Top            Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District 2350 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63103 (314) 768-6200 www.msd.st-louis.mo.us Jeff Theerman, Executive Director Janice Zimmerman, Director of Finance Description: MSD handles the interception, collection and treatment of wastewater, as well as stormwater management. Employees: 2004: 852 2005: 840 2006: 878 Annual Revenue: 2004: $157 million 2005: $188 million 2006: $206 million History: MSD was formed in 1954 to promote public health and water quality in the St. Louis area. The District currently maintains eight wastewater treatment plants within the region that have won multiple awards for their ability to reliably clean wastewater. Today, the District maintains the fourth largest sewer system in the United States. Distinction: MSD is building one of the largest series of construction projects in the St. Louis area with the value of current work estimated at over $280 million. This is but one component in a multi-year, multi-billion capital dollar program that is designed to address sewer overflows and improve water quality throughout the St. Louis region. In addition to this program, the District has launched an initiative to better address the stormwater needs of the community. Return to Top            Murphy Company 1233 North Price Road St. Louis, MO 63132 (314) 997-6600 www.murphynet.com James J. Murphy Jr., Chairman of the Board & CEO Rob Koester, CFO Description: Murphy Company undertakes work in the industrial, commercial, municipal and institutional construction and service markets with union craftsmen. Employees: 2004: 212 2005: 201 2006: 204 Annual Revenue: 2004: $163 million 2005: $140 million 2006: $172 million History: Murphy Company has been based in St. Louis since its founding in 1907. It has more than 200 salaried employees and employs more than 800 union crafts workers, most with the pipe fitter, boilermaker, plumber, sheet metal and laborer trades. Licensed in 34 States, Murphy creates cost-effective solutions for clients by diversifying into new industries and markets and by mastering projects of all sizes—from $2,000 to $20 million. Distinction: Ranked as the 10th largest mechanical specialty contracting firm in the 2006 Engineering News-Record and ranked 21st largest mechanical contracting firm by the 2007 Contractor Annual Report, Murphy offers national capabilities and is licensed to do business in 34 States. Murphy Company is deeply committed to and involved with a number of civic, charitable and non-profit ventures that directly impact quality of life in the St. Louis community and has been a key member of the teams responsible for launching some of the region’s most notable and challenging new construction projects. Return to Top            National City Bank 120 South Central Avenue Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 898-1400 www.nationalcity.com Shaun Hayes, President & CEO Description: National City Corporation, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest financial holding companies. It operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and serves customers in selected markets nationally. Employees: 2005: 507 2006: 628 History: National City Bank’s parent company, Cleveland-based National City Corporation, was founded in 1845 and currently operates an extensive banking network in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania. The bank entered the St. Louis market in 2004 when it acquired Allegiant Bancorp Inc. and took over its 36 branch locations. Distinction: National City has helped increase St. Louis job growth by opening 10 new retail branches. It has also stimulated business growth and expansion by providing financing to local businesses as well as businesses outside St. Louis wishing to establish operations in the region. National City has also contributed to civic progress by financing housing development in a number of St. Louis neighborhoods. Return to Top            Nestlé Purina PetCare Company One Checkerboard Square St. Louis, MO 63164 (314) 982-1000 www.purina.com W. Patrick McGinnis, President & CEO Rock Foster, CFO Description: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company in St. Louis is the headquarters for all pet care related business for Nestlé in North America, South America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Nestlé Purina is committed to improving the lives of cats and dogs around the world by offering a portfolio of more than 40 brands. Employees: 2004: 1,975 2005: 1,994 2006: 1,975 History: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company was formed in 2001, but its roots in St. Louis stretch back more than a century. The Ralston Purina Company was created in St. Louis in 1894 by William H. Danforth. The Company became recognized for its leading pet care brands, including Purina® Dog Chow®, Purina Cat Chow® and Purina ONE®. In 2001, the merger of Nestlé's Friskies products and Ralston Purina’s pet care products created Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, a globally competitive leader in the pet care industry. Distinction: Nestlé Purina is an established leader in pet care. The Company has consistently grown sales and market shares through innovation and a dedication to industry leading processes. Nestlé Purina is committed to the St. Louis area with its downtown headquarters providing employment for approximately 2,000 residents in the metropolitan area. In addition, the Company provides support to local organizations through annual contributions of $1 million. St. Louis is headquarters for Nestlé Purina’s North American and South American operations. Return to Top            The Newberry Group Inc. 2510 Old Highway 94 South St. Charles, MO 63303 (636) 928-9944 www.thenewberrygroup.com Brenda D. Newberry, Chairman & CEO Maurice Newberry, President & COO Description: The Newberry Group Inc. is a global IT consultancy specializing in information assurance, application development and network management. Employees: 2004: 82 2005: 78 2006: 66 History: Founded by Chairman and CEO Brenda D. Newberry in 1996, Newberry Group now has 135 employees working in more than 15 cities in the United States and internationally in Bahrain and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Newberry consultants have served clients such as the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Citigroup, SSM Health Care, Edward Jones and Monsanto. Distinction: Newberry has continued to see significant growth over the past year. Although the completion of some local projects has meant a small drop in the number of employees in the St. Louis area, its revenue and total number of employees continue to grow globally. Newberry is actively reaching into new markets, including local businesses, as it continues to work with corporate clients and federal agencies, bringing millions of dollars into the St. Louis economy every year. In addition, Newberry has appeared in the Deloitte Regional Fast 50 and the Deloitte National Technology Fast 500 for the past five years. Return to Top            Peabody Energy 701 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 342-7767 www.peabodyenergy.com Gregory H. Boyce, President & CEO Richard A. Navarre, CFO & Executive Vice-President of Corporate Development Description: Peabody is the world’s largest private-sector coal company. Its products fuel approximately 10 percent of all U.S. electricity and more than two percent of electricity worldwide. Employees: 2004: 7,900 2005: 8,300 2006: 9,200 Annual Revenue: 2004: $3.6 billion 2005: $4.6 billion 2006: $5.3 billion History: Peabody, Daniel and Company was founded by Francis S. Peabody in 1883 in Chicago as a retail coal supplier. It entered the mining business in 1888 as Peabody and Company. Since then, Peabody has evolved from a subsidiary of a large conglomerate to a private company in 1998, then, after a successful initial public offering in 2001, to a publicly held company. Peabody energy today is a growing global energy producer, marketer and trader and one of the 150 largest public U.S. companies based on market value. Distinction: Peabody has earned more than 60 awards for excellence in community and environmental stewardship since 2001, including five major honors from the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2007. It was among the first companies to recognize both renewed interest in energy independence and growing calls for greater environmental awareness. Return to Top            Pfizer St. Louis Laboratories 700 Chesterfield Parkway West Chesterfield, MO 63017 (636) 247-0177 www.pfizer.com Daniel P. Getman, PhD, Vice President Pfizer Global Research/Development & St. Louis Site Director Brian Pruitt, Senior Director St. Louis Research Site Finance Description: Based in New York, Pfizer Inc. is world's leading research-based pharmaceutical company. Pfizer’s St. Louis laboratories is now one of four of the company’s major drug candidate producing sites. Employees: 2004: 1,150 2005: 1,200 2006: 1,200 Annual Revenue: 2004: $49 billion 2005: $47 billion 2006: $48 billion History: Pfizer St. Louis’ facility in Chesterfield was originally built in 1984 as a Monsanto life sciences research facility. In April 2000, Pharmacia & Upjohn merged with Monsanto and G.D. Searle to create Pharmacia. In 2002, Pharmacia spun off its agriculture subsidiary, Monsanto Company, and Pfizer acquired Pharmacia. Pfizer Inc. and Pharmacia Corporation began operating as a unified company in 2003, forging one of the world’s fastest-growing and most valuable companies. Distinction: With a research and development budget of nearly $8 billion in 2007, Pfizer is now the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical company. With St. Louis increasingly becoming a center for life sciences, Pfizer St. Louis has become a centerpiece of the region’s initiative to promote this sector. Researchers at Pfizer St. Louis focus on two primary areas of research, Inflammation (Rheumatoid, Osteoarthritis, and Liver Fibrosis) and biologics. Pfizer’s St. Louis labs are the company’s Global Center of Emphasis for biologics, where researchers with expertise in discovering and producing these unique medicines are concentrated. Return to Top            Lumiére Place/ Pinnacle Entertainment 727 N. First Street, Suite 500 St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 450-5000 www.lumiereplace.com Todd George, Vice President & General Manager Description: Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment is a gaming, entertainment and hospitality company that has chosen St. Louis for its regional headquarters. Employees: 2004: 0 2005: >10 2006: >10 Annual Revenue: 2004: $466.5 million 2005: $668.5 million 2006: $912.4 million History: Pinnacle Entertainment began in 1938 as the Hollywood Park Turf Club, a racetrack in Los Angeles. In 1997, the company began to transform itself into a major casino operator, acquiring both the Boomtown Casino & Hotel Reno in Verdi, Nev., and the Boomtown Casino New Orleans in Harvey, La. Today, Pinnacle Entertainment owns and operates casinos in Nevada, Louisiana, Indiana, Missouri, Argentina and the Bahamas. Distinction: Pinnacle Entertainment is making a significant investment in St. Louis, spending half of a billion dollars on a casino and entertainment complex and hiring 1,500 employees this year alone. The company is building two new properties in St. Louis, the $500 million Lumière Place Casino & Hotels and the $375 million River City Casino & Hotel. Return to Top            Ranken Jordan 11365 Dorsett Maryland Heights, MO 63043 (314) 872-6400 www.rankenjordan.org Lauri Tanner, President & CEO Description: A 24-hour rehabilitation and treatment resource for seriously ill and injured children regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Employees: 2004: 107 2005: 129 2006: 154 Annual Revenue: 2004: $7.8 million 2005: $10 million 2006: $11.2 million History: Founded by dedicated philanthropist, Mary Ranken Jordan, in 1941 to help children recover from polio and bone tuberculosis, the hospital has evolved into a rehabilitation and treatment center for seriously ill and injured children suffering from ailments such as brain injuries and complications due to premature birth. Even when further recovery seems impossible, Ranken Jordan’s premier facilities and staff help 300 children a year make amazing strides in healing. Distinction: Only one of five specialty pediatric hospitals nationwide to care for children with medically complex needs regardless of their ability to pay, Ranken Jordan serves a patient population not covered by other facilities in the region; fully 90 percent of patients require financial assistance. Where traditional hospitals save lives, Ranken Jordan works to give kids their lives back. A special healthcare approach focuses on getting patients out of bed to play and interact with other children has an amazing impact on a child’s recovery. Return to Top            The Roberts Companies 1408 N. Kingshighway St. Louis, MO 63113 (636) 256-4600 www.michaelvroberts.com Michael V. Roberts Sr., CEO & Founder Steven C. Roberts, COO & Founder Description: Roberts Companies is a privately owned entity based in St. Louis, which deals in real estate, hotels and broadcasting. Employees: 2004: 250 2005: 300 2006: 600 History: Using a combination of business savvy, risk-taking, and progressive market evaluation, brothers Michael and Steven Roberts have built a multi-faceted business comprised of an aviation company, television broadcasting properties, a tower company, a 1,550 seat theater, a hotel group, a construction management and consulting firm, and residential and commercial real estate developments in St. Louis, Mo., and the Bahamas. Their success can be attributed to their simultaneous building of new corporations while edifying their existing ones. Distinction: Roberts Companies has made a significant impact downtown by purchasing and renovating several existing structures. They have taken the commitment even further by investing in the first new construction downtown in 25 years. Roberts Tower will be completed in 2009 and will be the first building in the area designed to achieve Gold LEED green standards set by the USGBC. The company has also invested in commercial and residential real estate to revitalize North St Louis and the newly coined Upper West End neighborhood. Return to Top            St. Louis Sports Commission 701 Convention Plaza, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 992-0687 www.stlsports.org Frank Viverito, President Shaun Hayes, Treasurer (serving on volunteer board of directors) Description: The Sports Commission is the independent, privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports. Employees: 2004: 8 2005: 8 2006: 9 History: The Sports Commission was formed in 1989 to produce a diverse lineup of high-profile sporting events to excite area sports fans, generate revenue for the region, and garner positive exposure for St. Louis. The results-driven organization focuses on what matters to the area, hosting events that make St. Louis a well-rounded sports town and a more vibrant community. Distinction: The Sports Commission is responsible for infusing millions of dollars in visitor spending into the St. Louis economy. Over the last year, the Sports Commission produced the Missouri-Illinois Arch Rivalry football game, NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, and the NCAA Men’s Soccer College Cup. The Organization also played a major role in landing the 2007 NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional. Together, these events generated more than $20 million in economic impact, including more than $13 million in direct visitor spending. The events brought more than 55,000 visitors to St. Louis and accounted for more than 25,000 hotel room nights. Return to Top            SAVVIS One SAVVIS Parkway Town & Country, MO 63017 (314) 628-7000 www.savvis.net Phil Koen, CEO Jeffrey Von Deylen, CFO Description: SAVVIS is a global leader in IT infrastructure services for business applications. Employees: 2004: 520 2005: 670 2006: 759 Annual Revenue: 2004: $617 million 2005: $667 million 2006: $764 million History: SAVVIS Inc. was launched in 1996 to supply high performance Internet service to businesses. The acquisition by Bridge Information Systems gave the company a global presence and in 2000, they introduced the first network based IP VPN services. Strategic acquisitions of Intel’s hosting business, media software services company WMINET, and assets of Cable & Wireless America, including MCI’s Internet business Exodus’ hosting business and Digital Island’s content delivery network, further diversified SAVVIS’ product portfolio and enables them to offer blended solutions to its many customers. Distinction: SAVVIS has added over 300 new jobs to its St. Louis employee base over the past three years. Experiencing financial problems from 2001 through 2005, the Company recovered and in 2006 became a recommended stock of Wall Street analysts. Today, SAVVIS is a global leader in IT infrastructure services for business applications. With a platform spanning North America, Europe and Asia, SAVVIS leads the industry in delivering secure, reliable and scalable hosting, network, and application services. Return to Top            Scottrade 12800 Corporate Hill Drive St. Louis, MO 63131 (314) 965-1555 www.scottrade.com Rodger Riney, President & CEO Ron Wiese, CFO Description: Scottrade is an online investment firm that allows customers to trade stocks, mutual funds, options and fixed income products with the support of 318 branch offices nationwide. Employees: 2004: 389 2005: 463 2006: 591 History: Established in 1980 in Scottsdale, Ariz., Scottrade relocated its headquarters to St. Louis in 1981 and branched out across the country, promoting deeply discounted commissions for trades placed via telephone through a broker. In the fall of 1996, Scottrade introduced online trading at Scottrade.com. The company currently maintains more than 1.7 million individual accounts and executes on average more than 138,000 online trades each day. Distinction: Scottrade has been recognized for customer service seven consecutive times by J.D. Power and Associates, ranking highest in customer satisfaction with online investment and trading firms. For the last two years, Scottrade has won the online brokerage category of the 2006 and 2007 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. Also in 2006, Scottrade built a $25 million state-of-the-art data center in St. Louis County. Return to Top            Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation Six CityPlace Drive Creve Coeur, MO 63141 (314) 656-5300 www.smurfit-stone.com Patrick J. Moore, Chairman and CEO Steven J. Klinger, President and COO Description: Smurfit-Stone is the industry's leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging and one of the largest paper recyclers in the world. Employees: 2004: 1,500 2005: 1,500 2006: 1,000 Annual Revenue: 2004: $6.7 billion 2005: $6.8 billion 2006: $7.2 billion History: Smurfit-Stone was formed in 1998 through the merger of St. Louis-based Jefferson Smurfit Corp. and Chicago-based Stone Container. Today, the Company operates approximately 170 facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2006, the company consolidated its local corporate and administrative functions at CityPlace 6 building in Creve Coeur, Mo. where they occupy eight floors. Distinction: In 2007, Smurfit-Stone committed more than 500 corporate-level employees and top company executives to the St. Louis region. The company also is investing approximately $16.8 million in state-of-the-art equipment and upgrades to its Chesterfield, Mo., and Highland, Ill., corrugated container manufacturing plants. Smurfit-Stone is the only Fortune 500 company in the St. Louis region to have simultaneous membership in Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, the Chicago Climate Exchange and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Return to Top            Solutia Inc. 575 Maryville Centre Drive St. Louis, MO 63141 (314) 674-1000 www.solutia.com Jeffry N. Quinn, Chairman, President & CEO James M. Sullivan, Senior Vice President & CFO Description: Solutia is a leading manufacturer and provider of high-performance specialty materials and chemicals to clients around the world. Employees: 2004: 500 2005: 503 2006: 465 Annual Revenue: 2004: $2.6 billion 2005: $2.8 billion 2006: $2.9 billion History: Solutia was the former industrial chemical and fibers business of the original Monsanto Corporation before being spun off as an independent company in 1997. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2003, but recently secured a commitment for $2 billion of exit financing and plans to emerge from Chapter 11 status by the end of this year. Solutia consists of five business units: Saflex, CPFilms, Integrated Nylon, Flexsys and Specialty Products. Distinction: Solutia has significantly increased both revenue and earnings each year since mid-2004, when the current management team took over. The company has grown its revenue by approximately 31 percent from $2.9 billion in 2006 to a forecasted $3.8 billion in 2007. The firm is moving the headquarters of its $200 million CPFilms business and the newly acquired $600 million Flexsys business to St. Louis. Return to Top            Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Campus Box 1151 Edwardsville, IL 62026 (618) 650-3653 www.siue.edu Vaughn Vandegrift, Chancellor Bill Winter, Budget Director Description: SIUE provides a quality higher education to the Greater St. Louis and Metro East areas. Employees: 2004: 1,957 2005: 1,993 2006: 1,982 Annual Revenue: 2004: $182 million 2005: $194 million 2006: $202 million History: SIUE is a public comprehensive university built 50 years ago by the people of Illinois for the people. In 1957, only three percent of the adult population had completed four years of college. Today nearly 20 percent of the adult population in the region has earned a college degree. Distinction: SIUE is one of the largest employers in Madison County, with nearly 2,000 full-time employees. Its expenditures in the region result in a total economic impact of over $356 million annually. Some 3,500 students live on the SIUE campus and the majority of its nearly 13,500 students live in the region, contributing to the Greater St. Louis regional economy. Additionally, more than 37,000 alumni live and work in the area, adding to the vitality of the economy. In the past year, the American Red Cross selected SIUE's University Park as the site for a new, state-of-the-art, 170,000-square-foot centralized blood manufacturing and testing facility, which will bring more than 500 new jobs with it. Return to Top            Tarlton Corporation 5500 West Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 633-3346 www.tarltoncorp.com Tracy Elsperman Hart, President David Moore, Vice President, Finance Description: Tarlton is a privately owned general contractor/construction manager. Employees: 2004: 250 2005: 260 2006: 267 Annual Revenue: 2004: $85.8 million 2005: $92 million 2006: $107.7 million History: Founded in 1946, Tarlton has built a number of landmark projects in St. Louis since that time, including a major segment of Metro’s Cross County Expansion, Anheuser-Busch’s corporate headquarters, the Contemporary Art Museum and several buildings at Washington University. Distinction: Tarlton garnered a 2007 Aon Build America Award for its work on the $676 million Cross County MetroLink Expansion that connects downtown St. Louis to southwest suburban areas. As part of the “green” building movement, Tarlton has built two of St. Louis' nine LEED-certified projects and employs three LEED-certified project managers. In 2006, the company’s $3.5 million headquarters in the Forest Park South neighborhood of St. Louis earned a Silver LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Return to Top            TechGuard Security, LLC 743 Spirit 40 Park Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005 (636) 519-4848 www.techguardsecurity.com Suzanne Magee, President & CEO Andrea Johnson, COO Description: TechGuard provides world-class cyber defense services, products and training to address the contemporary challenges of network security and privacy. Employees: 2004: 15 2005: 33 2006: 36 Annual Revenue: 2004: $2.08 million 2005: $6.93 million 2006: $6.94 million History: Founded in 2000, TechGuard is recognized for hard work, innovation, excellence and its branded technology…HIPPIE™, Great Walls of Fire® and CATS™. The 2006 St. Louis Economic Council Entrepreneurial Company of the Year, TechGuard is recognized as a consistent participant in and champion of the St. Louis Enterprise Centers, entrepreneurship and Business Incubator Facilities in the Region. Distinction: From the headquarters in St. Louis, TechGuard has a global reach. It has brought recognition to the St. Louis entrepreneurial community by being one of two companies in the region selected by National SBA Administrator, Steven Preston, for a personal visit. TechGuard works with the Department of Defense, has successfully transferred University of Missouri, Washington University and Saint Louis University interns into full-time employees and is nationally recognized as a Technology Innovator and National Cyber Defender. Return to Top            Walton Construction Company 16024 Manchester Road, Suite 111 Ellisville, MO 63011 (636) 594-2220 www.waltonbuilt.com Steve Biederman, President, Walton-St. Louis John Martin, CEO Description: Walton provides commercial general contracting, construction management, design-build and preconstruction services. Employees: 2004: 24 2005: 43 2006: 62 Annual Revenue: 2004: $355 million 2005: $605 million 2006: $664 million History: Founded in 1985 and operating in St. Louis since 2003, Walton has become the fastest growing (local revenue has grown 300 percent) construction company in the Metropolitan area. Walton’s growth is built on the premise of the simplified delivery of construction-based services under a framework of interaction that emphasizes ease and connectivity with clients. Distinction: With over $800 million in open contracts in Missouri and $300 million in the St. Louis area, Walton has had a substantial impact on the local economy. On the employment side, Walton has exhibited over 500 percent growth in the St. Louis office and executive staff since opening in 2003. Walton’s leadership is at the forefront both locally and nationally in labor relations, product and process innovation, I-9 compliance, storm water pollution prevention, labor training and workforce development. It is a progressive leader in a traditionally change-resistant industry. Return to Top            Webster University 470 East Lockwood Avenue St. Louis, MO 63119 (314) 968-6900 www.webster.edu Richard S. Meyers, President David Garafola, Vice President, Finance Description: Webster University is a leader in international education. A 100+ network of campuses brings more than 125 nationalities into Webster’s global classrooms. Webster students enjoy the benefits of learning from and learning with an international faculty and student body. Employees: 2004: 597 2005: 595 2006: 633 Annual Revenue: 2004: $146 million 2005: $152 million 2006: $170 million History: Founded as Webster College in 1915 by the Sisters of Loretto as a women’s college, today’s Webster University is a non-sectarian, private, coeducational, non-profit, international university based in St. Louis with a worldwide network of more than 100 campuses across the United States, Europe and Asia. The University enrolls approximately 20,000 students worldwide and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Distinction: Webster University is dedicated to academic excellence, innovation in higher education, meeting the needs of students in an ever-changing world and incorporating an international perspective throughout the curriculum. The University has also demonstrated civic leadership in the redevelopment of the downtown St. Louis Old Post Office Building, and is a significant contributor to workforce development in support of the BioBelt. Return to Top            World Wide Technology Inc. 60 Weldon Parkway Maryland Heights, MO 63043 (314) 919-1400 www.wwt.com David Steward, Founder & Chairman James P. Kavanaugh, CEO Thomas W. Strunk, CFO Description: World Wide Technology Inc. provides technology products, services and supply chain solutions. Employees: 2004: 355 2005: 319 2006: 336 Annual Revenue: 2004: $1.4 billion 2005: $1.9 billion 2006: $2.2 billion History: World Wide Technology was founded in 1990 by David Steward and James Kavanaugh. Since then, the firm has seen strong growth nearly every year with more than $2 billion in annual revenue and more than 1,100 professionals. Distinction: The firm predominantly focuses on serving Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. government but continues to provide technology solutions to major St. Louis corporations, schools and local government entities. WWT has established strong, long-standing partnerships with the world’s leading manufacturers of information technology products, including Cisco, Dell, HP, Sun and IBM. In 2007, the firm earned the No. 1 spot on Black Enterprise’s INDUSTRIAL/ SERVICE 100 list. Return to Top

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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -