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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.
RCGA
STAFF
Dick Fleming, President & CEO
(314) 444-1100
rfleming@stlrcga.org
Karen Butchko, Executive Assistant
to the President
(314) 444-1109
kbutchko@stlrcga.org
Ellen Hicks, Administrative Assistant
(314) 444-1178
ehicks@stlrcga.org
Beverly Estes, Executive Vice
President & COO
(314) 444-1110
bestes@stlrcga.org
Mary Barbeau, Administrative
Manager
(314) 444-1103
mbarbeau@stlrcga.org
Ron Cunitz, Comptroller
(314) 444-1106
rcunitz@stlrcga.org
Laura Taylor, Accounting Manager
(314) 444-1174
ltaylor@stlrcga.org
Donald Grotjan, Staff Accountant
(314) 444-1129
dgrotjan@stlrcga.org
Michael Kern, Network Administrator
(314) 444-1169
mkern@stlrcga.org
Randy Baehr, Information Systems
Manager
(314) 444-1168
rbaehr@stlrcga.org
Toni Woodard Thomas, Receptionist
(314) 444-1120
tthomas@stlrcga.org
David Minor, General Services
Coordinator
(314) 444-1186
dminor@stlrcga.org
Gary Broome, Vice President-Communications
(314) 444-1171
gbroome@stlrcga.org
Yu-Yuan Lei, Webmaster
(314) 444-1173
dlei@stlrcga.org
John Bilhorn, Account Executive,
St. Louis Commerce Magazine
(314) 444-1161
jbilhorn@stlrcga.org
Christine Malinee, Account Executive,
St. Louis Commerce Magazine
(314) 444-1162
cmalinee@stlrcga.org
Colin Stahlhut, Vice President–Membership
Services
(314) 444-1145
cstahlhut@stlrcga.org
John Diefenbach, Vice President–Membership
Development
(314) 444-1184
jdief@stlrcga.org
Lori Meier, Administrative Assistant–Membership
(314) 444-1147
lmeier@stlrcga.org
Mary Perez, Membership Database
Specialist
(314) 444-1181
mperez@stlrcga.org
Mary Britt, Account Executive
(314) 206-3282
mbrit@stlrcga.org
Harriett Hubbard, Account Executive
(314) 206-3281
hhubbard@stlrcga.org
Stuart Schelp, Account Executive
(314) 206-3280
schelp@stlrcga.org
Fred Tatum, Account Executive
(314) 206-3289
ftatum@stlrcga.org
Michele (Mike) Walsh, Executive
Assistant–Public Policy
(314) 444-1134
mwalsh@stlrcga.org
Susan Stauder, Vice President–Infrastructure
& Public Policy
(314) 444-1155
sstauder@stlrcga.org
Kevin Riggs, Director–Illinois
Government Affairs
(314) 444-1108
kriggs@stlrcga.org
Eric Schneider, Director–Public
Policy Research
(314) 444-1148
eschneider@stlrcga.org
Steve Johnson, Senior Vice President–Economic
Development
(314) 444-1140
sjohnson@stlrcga.org
Felicia Holyfield, Executive
Assistant–Economic Development
(314) 444-1118
fholyfield@stlrcga.org
Bryan Bezold, Director–Economic
Policy, Analysis and Chief Economist
(314) 444-1125
bbezold@stlrcga.org
Linda Leonard, CEcD, Vice President–Economic
Development
(314) 444-1138
lleonard@stlrcga.org
Nancy Beil, Administrative Assistant–Economic
Development
(314) 444-1113
nbeil@stlrcga.org
Jim Alexander, Vice President–Business
Recruitment
(314) 444-1135
jalexander@stlrcga.org
Avis Darden, Administrative Assistant–Economic
Development
(314) 444-1190
adarden@stlrcga.org
Doug Rasmussen, Director–Business
Development
(314) 444-1139
drasmussen@stlrcga.org
Tim Alexander, Manager–Business
Research and Analysis
(314) 444-1146
talexander@stlrcga.org
Erika Kennett, Project Manager–Business
Development
(314) 444-1136
ekennett@stlrcga.org
Jay DeLong, Vice President–New
Ventures & Capital Formation
(314) 444-1130
jdelong@stlrcga.org
Kelley Bryan, Administrative
Assistant–Economic Development
(314) 444-1112
kbryan@stlrcga.org
Donn Rubin, Executive Director
(314) 206-3242
drubin@stlrcga.org
Melissa Harrison, Executive Assistant
(314) 206-3234
mharrison@stlrcga.org
Ben Johnson, Program Specialist
(314) 206-3235
bjohnson@stlrcga.org
Christine Walsh, Executive Director
(314) 444-1151
cwalsh@stlrcga.org
Valerie Patton, Director
(314) 444-1170
vpatton@stlrcga.org
Rosalind Reese, Project Assistant
(314) 206-3224
rreese@stlrcga.org
Jim Alexander
Vice President– 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.
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.
Jay De Long
Vice President– New Ventures and Capital Formation
Job Description:
Jay De Long was recruited in September of 2006 from Irvine, Calif.
As part of the RCGA Economic Development Team he works in collaboration
with area venture capital firms, in identifying and recruiting promising
start-up technology companies, as well as working to recruit additional
venture capital to the St Louis area.
Career Highlights:
His nearly 20 years of economic development experience includes:
• President of Active Capital in Irvine, Calif., an Internet-based
private
securities offering and listing company.
• Founder and Executive Director, Venture Point, the nation’s only
Small Business Development Center specializing in technology
companies and entrepreneurs facing issues of capital formation,
critical time-to-market, and management of fast growth.
• Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Orange County Business
Council, running technical assistance programs supporting
technology transfer, defense conversion, equity investing
and high
growth enterprises.
• Directed the American Consortium of Information Systems
Technology in Moscow, Russia for three years.
• Past Chair, California Venture Forum; Past Chair, Corporate
Investment & Strategic Alliance Conference (national).
Education:
Awarded International Business Certificate from the American Graduate
School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Glendale, Ariz.
and bachelors of science degrees in Political Science and Philosophy
from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.
John Diefenbach
Vice President– Membership Development
Job Description:
John Diefenbach joined the RCGA in May 1997. He 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
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 performance 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.
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 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.
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 over 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 economic development initiatives to revitalize
center cities and metropolitan areas in Atlanta, Denver and now
St. Louis.
• In Colorado, served as founding president/CEO of 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 planed the 15,000-acre Peachtree City New Town
and
then served as vice president of Atlanta’s CEO organization.
• Was a developer with The Rouse Company in Baltimore in the
15,000-acre Columbia New Town in suburban Baltimore and the
Fanueil Hall Marketplace downtown retail project in Boston.
• In 2005-2006, served as Chariman of the Board of the American
Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), the organization of
1,200
chambers.
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.
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.
• Served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a United States Marine (1968-
1970).
• 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 (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.
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.
Linda Leonard
Vice President– Economic Development
Job Description:
Recruited in 1995 as vice president of economic development, Linda
Leonard has the responsibility for helping 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. In 2006, she added the responsibility
of developing and maintaining an existing business strategic intelligence
program.
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.
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 and 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 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.
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 Chair of the St.
Louis City Planning Commission and Vice Chair of the Downtown Economic
Stimulus Authority.
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. |
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