RCGA staff work with our members to build regional strength and stay competitive. We’re accomplishing this by developing our region’s essential products—such as economic growth and vitality; community capitalism; an educated, competitive work force; sound region-wide infrastructure; a vital central city of the region; a forward-looking public policy agenda; and developing distinctive industry clusters. Dick Fleming, President & CEO Phone: (314) 444-1100 Email: rfleming@stlrcga.org Karen Butchko, Executive Assistant to the President Phone: (314) 444-1109 Email: kbutchko@stlrcga.org Ellen Hicks, Administrative Assistant Phone: (314) 444-1178 Email: ehicks@stlrcga.org Beverly Estes, Executive Vice President & COO Phone: (314) 444-1110 Email: bestes@stlrcga.org Mary Barbeau, Administrative Manager Phone: (314) 444-1103 Email: mbarbeau@stlrcga.org Ron Cunitz, Comptroller Phone: (314) 444-1106 Email: rcunitz@stlrcga.org Laura Taylor, Accounting Manager Phone: (314) 444-1174 Email: ltaylor@stlrcga.org Donald Grotjan, Staff Accountant Phone: (314) 444-1129 Email: dgrotjan@stlrcga.org Michael Kern, Network Administrator Phone: (314) 444-1169 Email: mkern@stlrcga.org Randy Baehr, Information Systems Manager Phone: (314) 444-1168 Email: rbaehr@stlrcga.org Toni Woodard Thomas, Receptionist Phone: (314) 444-1120 Email: tthomas@stlrcga.org David Minor, General Services Coordinator Phone: (314) 444-1186 Email: dminor@stlrcga.org Gary Broome, Vice President-Communications Phone: (314) 444-1171 Email: gbroome@stlrcga.org Yu-Yuan Lei, Webmaster Phone: (314) 444-1173 Email: dlei@stlrcga.org John Bilhorn, Account Executive, St. Louis Commerce Magazine Phone: (314) 444-1161 Email: jbilhorn@stlrcga.org Christine Malinee, Account Executive, St. Louis Commerce Magazine Phone: (314) 444-1162 Email: cmalinee@stlrcga.org Colin Stahlhut, Vice President-Membership Services Phone: (314) 444-1145 Email: cstahlhut@stlrcga.org John Diefenbach, Vice President-Membership Development Phone: (314) 444-1184 Email: jdief@stlrcga.org Lori Meier, Administrative Assistant-Membership Phone: (314) 444-1147 Email: lmeier@stlrcga.org Mary Perez, Membership Database Specialist Phone: (314) 444-1181 Email: mperez@stlrcga.org Mary Britt, Account Executive Phone: (314) 206-3282 Email: mbritt@stlrcga.org Harriett Hubbard, Account Executive Phone: (314) 206-3281 Email: hhubbard@stlrcga.org Stuart Schelp, Account Executive Phone: (314) 206-3280 Email: schelp@stlrcga.org Mildren Simmons, Account Executive Phone: (314) 206-3285 Email: msimmons@stlrcga.org Fred Tatum, Account Executive Phone: (314) 206-3289 Email: ftatum@stlrcga.org David Voracek, Account Executive Phone: (314) 206-3288 Email: dvoracek@stlrcga.org Tom Irwin, Senior Vice President-Public Policy Phone: (314) 444-1107 Email: tirwin@stlrcga.org Susan Stauder, Vice President-Infrastructure & Public Policy Phone: (314) 444-1155 Email: sstauder@stlrcga.org Michele "Mike" Walsh, Executive Assistant-Public Policy Phone: (314) 444-1134 Email: mwalsh@stlrcga.org Kevin Riggs, Director-Illinois Government Affairs Phone: (314) 444-1108 Email: kriggs@stlrcga.org Eric Schneider, Director-Public Policy Research Phone: (314) 444-1148 Email: eschneider@stlrcga.org Steve Johnson, Senior Vice President-Economic Development Phone: (314) 444-1140 Email: sjohnson@stlrcga.org Felicia Holyfield, Executive Assistant-Economic Development Phone: (314) 444-1118 Email: fholyfield@stlrcga.org Linda Leonard, CED, Vice President-Economic Development Phone: (314) 444-1138 Email: lleonard@stlrcga.org Bryan Bezold, Director-Economic Policy, Analysis and Chief Economist Phone: (314) 444-1125 Email: bbezold@stlrcga.org Monica Conners, Manager-Research and Analysis Phone: (314) 444-1146 Email: mconners@stlrcga.org Jim Alexander, Vice President-Business Development Phone: (314) 444-1135 Email: jalexander@stlrcga.org Doug Rasmussen, Director-Business Development Phone: (314) 444-1139 Email: drasmussen@stlrcga.org Erika Kennett, Project Manager-Business Development Phone: (314) 444-1136 Email: ekennett@stlrcga.org Avis Darden, Administrative Assistant Phone: (314) 444-1190 Email: adarden@stlrcga.org Kelley Bryan, Administrative Assistant Phone: (314) 444-1112 Email: kbryan@stlrcga.org Donn Rubin, Executive Director Phone: (314) 206-3242 Email: drubin@stlrcga.org Melissa Harrison, Administrative Assistant Phone: (314) 206-3234 Email: mharrison@stlrcga.org Ben Johnson, Project Specialist Phone: (314) 206-3235 Email: bjohnson@stlrcga.org Christine Walsh, Executive Director Phone: (314) 444-1151 Email: cwalsh@stlrcga.org Valerie Patton, Director-St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Phone: (314) 444-1170 Email: vpatton@stlrcga.org Rosalind Reese, Project Assistant Phone: (314) 206-3224 Email: rreese@stlrcga.org Who's Who at the RCGA Jim Alexander, Vice President for Business Recruitment Gary Broome, Vice President-Communications John Diefenbach, Vice President-Membership Development Beverly Estes, Chief Operating Officer Dick Fleming, President and CEO Tom Irwin, Senior Vice President-Public Policy Steve Johnson, Senior Vice President-Economic Development Linda Leonard, Vice President-Economic Development Colin Stahlhut, Vice President-Membership Services Susan Stauder, Vice President-Infrastructure & Public Policy JIM ALEXANDER Vice President for Business Recruitment Job Description: Jim Alexander was recruited to the RCGA in April 2003 and manages business attraction, expansion and retention initiatives. Career Highlights: Returned in 2003 to St. Louis from Texas-based Praxair Electronics. As global business development manager for this Fortune 500 company, he managed sales and marketing strategies for the company’s gas delivery systems for the semiconductor industry. National site selection consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers in St. Louis. Manager of economic development for Centerior Energy Corporation, a $2.5 billion investor-owned electric utility company where he was active in leading a variety of civic and economic development initiatives on behalf of the Cleveland community. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Master's degree in Business Administration from Lake Erie College in Ohio. Adjunct faculty member at Kent State University/School of Business Management, from 1993 to 1998. <back to top>       GARY BROOME Vice President-Communications Job Description: Gary Broome plays a key role in all aspects of public relations, communications, and marketing, implementing an ongoing media relations initiative to position the RCGA as the primary source on St. Louis regional economic development and overall job creation. He manages the RCGA Communications Department, including the managing editor of St. Louis Commerce Magazine, staff writers, and a web manager. Career Highlights: Gary has been a public relations professional for over 20 years. Joined the RCGA in 1989 as assistant to the director of public relations and communications. Later named manager of public relations and publications, and then director of communications. Named Vice President of Communications in October 2005. Prior to the RCGA, was an editor of employee publications at St. Louis-based Edison Brothers Stores Inc., from 1981 to 1989. Education: Bachelor of Journalism (BJ) degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia. <back to top>       JOHN DIEFENBACH Vice President-Membership Development Job Description: John Diefenbach is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to increase membership sales, retain current RCGA members, and generate advertising revenue for St. Louis Commerce Magazine. He also recruits and trains membership consultants and directs the development of sales collateral materials. John joined the RCGA in May 1997. Career Highlights: John has worked for several corporations as vice-president or executive vice-president of marketing. His 25-plus years of sales and marketing experience includes: Assisting in leading the RCGA membership revenue to the #1 position among all chambers of commerce. Leading the successful development of two start-up companies. Managing the #1 profit department store for May Company. Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Southern Illinois University. <back to top>       BEVERLY ESTES Chief Operating Officer Job Description: Beverly Estes was recruited to the RCGA staff in 1997. She oversees internal and financial operations for all RCGA departments. She is responsible for the execution of RCGA initiatives and programs. She staffs both the Finance/Budget Committee in developing and monitoring the annual budget as well as the Audit Committee, in providing oversight of the accounting, auditing, internal control, corporate compliance and financial reporting practices. Career Highlights: Beverly has been involved in chamber of commerce activities for over 30 years. Before joining the St. Louis RCGA, she worked at the Kansas City Chamber for over 20 years, holding a variety of senior management positions, among them executive vice president and also acting president of the Chamber for nine months. She oversaw all internal operations for the Chamber and its affiliates including financial management, information systems, marketing, membership and major special events. Education: B.A. in Management from Webster University in Kansas City. Graduate of the Institute for Organization Management, a six-year professional development program for association and chamber executives sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Institute for Advanced Management, an executive training program for chamber and association executives. <back to top>       DICK FLEMING President and CEO Job Description: Dick Fleming was recruited from Denver in 1994 as president and CEO of the RCGA. He oversees a staff of 50 and manages an annual operating budget of over $10 million. Career Highlights: For over 25 years, Dick has been an active civic entrepreneur, engaged in private sector initiatives to revitalize center cities and metropolitan areas in Atlanta, Denver, and now St. Louis. Colorado, served as founding president/ CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership and then as president/CEO of the Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce. Served at the national level as a sub-cabinet officer at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington. In Atlanta, he planned the 15,000-acre Peachtree City New Town and then served as vice president of Central Atlanta Progress, Atlanta’s CEO organization. Was a developer with The Rouse Company in Baltimore in the planning and development of the 15,000-acre Columbia New Town in suburban Baltimore and the Fanueil Hall Marketplace downtown retail project in Boston. Education: Holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce and a concurrent master’s degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Fine Arts, graduating magna cum laude. Holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Loyola College in Baltimore. <back to top>       TOM IRWIN Senior Vice President-Public Policy Job Description: Tom Irwin joined the RCGA in October 2001 and heads the RCGA Public Policy staff. He directs the region’s legislative activities in both Missouri and Illinois, as well as in the U.S. Congress, on behalf of the region’s business community and the RCGA’s infrastructure and environmental programs. Career Highlights: Tom has more than 25 years of diverse public policy and public administration experience. Held senior policy and chief of staff positions to Mayor Kevin White in Boston, Mayor Vincent Schoemehl in the City of St. Louis, and to the late St. Louis County Executive George (Buzz) Westfall. Served as Deputy Director of the City of St. Louis’ economic development agency and most recently as executive director of the Bi-State Development Agency, the St. Louis region's mass transit authority. Was the first Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Commission. Education: Holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and an undergraduate degree in Classical Studies and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts. <back to top>       STEVE JOHNSON Senior Vice President-Economic Development Job Description: Steve Johnson joined the RCGA in September 2004 and leads the RCGA’s marketing, branding and business recruitment and expansion efforts in the new economic development campaign. Career Highlights: Steve has 20-plus years in economic development including: Senior Vice President for Business Development and Executive Vice President for the New Economy Council with the Kansas City Area Development Council. Held economic development positions with chambers of commerce in Mobile, Ala. and Jefferson City, Mo. Served as senior vice president for economic development strategies with the Indianapolis-based firm of Thomas P. Miller & Associates. Education: Graduated from Harding University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Also carries the highest professional designation from the International Economic Development Council. <back to top>       LINDA LEONARD Vice President-Economic Development Job Description: Recruited in 1995 as vice president of economic development, Linda Leonard has the responsibility for helping to raise the funds to support the regional economic development initiative, Greater St. Louis Inc. In this role, she also develops networks of relationships with stakeholders to engage economic development investors in the program and to ensure continued funding. Career Highlights: Linda has 20-plus years in economic development including: Joined the RCGA in 1995 as director of economic development. Led numerous activities within the economic development division including national marketing and media relations, economic research and analysis, regional collaboration and new business recruitment. Held similar positions with the Kansas City Area Development Council, an organization responsible for attracting new employers and investment to the Kansas City metropolitan area, for 12 years. Education: Graduated from Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio with a major in Economics and a minor in American Studies. Earned the International Economic Development Council’s highest professional designation (CEcD) in 1989. <back to top>       COLIN STAHLHUT Vice President-Membership Services Job Description: Colin Stahlhut has been with the RCGA since 1978 serving at a variety of key capacities. He is responsible for several of the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association’s membership activities and ongoing events/activities. For several years, he has been responsible for providing services, programs and information to the RCGA’s general membership. Career Highlights: Colin has many years of successful responsibility for the Annual RCGA Golf Tournament, Leadership Exchange Trip, RCGA Annual Meeting, Business After Hours, Breakfast with the Gazelles, and most recently, the Top 50 Gala. For the past 10 years, he has worked to ensure that annual RCGA member dues renewals are attained. For a number of years, RCGA has been recognized as among the top tier of chambers of commerce in membership revenue. Was in charge of Work Force Programs for the RCGA, was planning coordinator for St. Louis County’s Department of Human Resources and was director of public information for the American Cancer Society in the eastern region of Missouri. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Louis University. <back to top>       SUSAN STAUDER Vice President-Infrastructure & Public Policy Job Description: Susan Stauder works to help bring to fruition the region’s major infrastructure projects, such as the new Mississippi River Bridge, expansion of MetroLink, and needed major area road projects, as well as providing guidance on a variety of public policy and regional governance issues. She is currently serving as the Chair of the St. Louis Planning Commission. Career Highlights: Was recruited to the RCGA as Vice President of Infrastructure and Public Policy in 2002, bringing with her more than 25 years of diverse infrastructure and public policy experience and a strong working relationship with transportation and public policy leaders throughout the region and the states of Missouri and Illinois. Has served in several executive positions at the Bi-State Development Agency since 1990. Helped shape Bi-State's overall operating and strategic development policies and its longer-range plans for financing and bus and rail service improvements and expansion. Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies and Geography from the University of Washington in Seattle. <back to top>

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