INVESTING IN THE REGION By Debra Solomon Baker JEFF STUERMAN president, Stuerman & Company LLC Monopoly money. As a young child, this was Jeff Stuerman’s toy of choice, while the rest of his buddies were running around with toy soldiers. It seems that he has always had his head in finances, and that certainly has been reflected in Stuerman’s career. This Missouri born-and-bred businessman has been in the financial services industry for 24 years. He says that he always knew that, one day, he would forge his own path, but he did not have a solid sense of how or when that would happen. Now it has. His latest endeavor, Stuerman & Company LLC, is a business advisory firm currently operating out of his home. Helping organizations define and achieve success is work that Stuerman finds deeply rewarding. “Any time you can help an organization go to the next level in terms of size, profitability—or however they measure success—that is just exhilarating,” Stuerman says. “Sometimes clients just need a nudge in the right direction.” He specializes in the asset management and trust industry, and his specific areas of focus include strategic planning, business development, corporate governance, and risk assessment, among others. But Stuerman’s primary focus is on helping clients to help themselves. “I don’t believe that an organization can be deliberate without deliberating,” says Stuerman. “I facilitate active conversations with individuals and with teams to try to get at the root of the issues.” Stuerman believes that too many banks actually seem to forget whose money they are handling. “They think it’s the bank’s money, but we all know who the ultimate owner is and we know that that owner has a choice—we need to keep our financial institutions focused on whether they are doing things for their own profitability or for their clients. Profit is necessary, but it should not be the only motive.” Stuerman, who serves on the board of Culver-Stockton College, has unflinching pride in his city and hopes, through his work, to do his part in making it stronger. “We are proud members of the RCGA Leadership Circle and encourage other small businesses to join. Our region is fortunate to have so many talented trust and asset management professionals serving the families, businesses, and non-profit organizations of our community. “If more wealth remains in the region because the local banks are better at services because of what [my company] provides them, then that is the ultimate success.” LEADERSHIP CIRCLE INSIGHTS What is your healthiest habit? “I suppose my healthiest habit is getting regular exercise. I play in a men’s ice hockey league one night each week and additionally, workout about four times a week.” Ken Witbrodt CEO, Montgomery Bank “There are no silver bullets. I have a simple formula: exercise four to five times a week, and watch what I eat.” Michael Zychinski St. Louis office managing partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP “I get up at 4:00 a.m. every morning and exercise for one hour.” Tom Templeman general manager, Centocor Biologics LLC For more information on the Leadership Circle, please contact John Diefenbach, vice president-membership, (314) 444-1184 or jdief@stlrcga.org.

January 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cover Story Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra Presents: The Home of the Brave, the Rugged, and the Patriotic Express Scripts’ Dr. Steve Miller Pfizer’s Michael J. Zimmerman - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.stlrcga.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A rendering of the BJC Institute of Health at Washington University Staff Sergeant Justin Shellhammer, U.S. Army, with his wife and daughter. Sigma-Aldrich’s CEO Jai Nagarkatti Stellina Pasta Cafe’s Jamey & Lisa Tochtrop - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -