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Just over a
year ago, Reuters, the largest distributor of financial data in
the world, proclaimed St. Louis as a “critical hub” within their
worldwide operations.
Reuters’ commitment to the St. Louis region was the result of a
year-long effort of the RCGA, St. Louis County and the State of
Missouri working actively with the company’s management team here
and at the New York headquarters to build a case for the value of
St. Louis as a high quality and cost-effective location. As a result,
you can read in this month’s cover story by Kevin Kipp how Reuters
not only retained, but also has significantly expanded the St. Louis
operation, following its acquisition of Bridge Information Systems.
By working together in wooing this company, the region’s economic
developers succeeded in retaining 600 high-salaried employees and
future growth opportunities.
They have consolidated their American Customer Relationship Management
Center here, migrating people and assets to St. Louis from Long
Island and Chicago (its other CRMCs are in Sydney, Geneva and London);
they are establishing one of their four worldwide software development
centers here in St. Louis (they also have centers in Paris, Bangkok
and London); and their business service center is located here as
well (joining Singapore, Nicosia, Amsterdam and London). The facilities
in St. Louis are already a significant part of Reuters’ global operation
and have become the company’s nerve center.
Deb Grossman, heads up the St. Louis operations. She is a Midwesterner,
a native of Peoria and a graduate of Bradley University. Her MBA
is from Washington University and her law degree is from the University
of Illinois. Previously, she held key financial positions with The
Boeing Company.
And speaking of Boeing and the aviation industry, Gary Rainwater,
who at one time flew F-4s, is featured in this month’s profile.
While piloting is still one of his hobbies—he has his own light
airplane, which he uses for occasional short trips—he is now a top
gun at AmerenUE. In this role, he not only navigates Missouri’s
largest electric utility through waves of security and regulation,
but he also helps guide several civic and professional organizations.
In other Commerce news, Pam Droog has written a story on
how airlines are focusing on convenience and comfort for the business
traveler. In fact, Howard Berry, a frequent traveler, was interviewed
for this story, and mentions an innovation I’d like to try myself.
Available on long American Airlines flights, the “Bose Active Noise
Cancellation System” features headphones that have a sensor that
detects engine noise and neutralizes it with a canceling sound wave.
William Poe has also written a piece on how Human Resources managers
are educating employees about their 401(k)s and SOLO(k)s, which
are designed for self-employed individuals.
Of course there’s much more as well: long-term care insurance, ways
to improve cash flow, and ways to protect against credit card fraud.
Enjoy. And, as always, I look forward to hearing from you.
RICHARD C.D. FLEMING
President and Chief Executive Officer
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association
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