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INVESTING IN THE REGION
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By Debra Solomon Baker
 MICHAEL HENDERSON
CEO,
MLH Associates dba The Phoenix Group
The bad guys threaten the innocent. A brave hero swoops down, squashes the hooligans’ evil plans, and, of course, goodness prevails. We all know the story, but Michael Henderson, CEO of MLH Associates dba The Phoenix Group, lives it every day.
Henderson, a former University City police officer, provides personal protection to executives and other individuals. In addition, his company offers a myriad of other services including threat assessment, systems security, bomb incident management, and background, domestic, and missing person investigations.
When Henderson hung up his police uniform for the final time in the mid-90s, he considered pursuing a career with the United States Secret Service, but opted, instead, for the private sector. Following a stint with a New York-based protection company and then independent contract work (during which time he safeguarded rappers, movie stars, and the like), he
headed back to St. Louis to form
The Phoenix Group. At the age of 34, he is currently the youngest person working there.
Although his office is in
St. Louis, Henderson’s clients are mostly out-of-town, even overseas. However, he is trying to help St. Louisans understand the need for his services.
“People should realize all that they have at stake,” he says.
Henderson and his agents are all highly trained martial artists. In addition, Henderson, who modeled his company after the Secret Service, uses state-of-the-art equipment to squelch malevolent acts.
“I know that an individual with a motive to ruin someone’s career will go to grave lengths to accomplish his goal,” he says. “We understand what our adversaries are thinking…we try really hard to be proactive, rather than reactive, in dealing with situations.
“Our job is not just to prevent physical harm, but to protect our clients’ image, their relationship with their own clients, and with their staff.”
Within five years, Henderson expects to open offices on each coast and overseas.
For now, however, he seems focused on helping those in his own hometown live happily (and safely) ever after.
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE INSIGHTS
From a business standpoint, what is the biggest selling point of the st. louis area?
“As a businessman, I believe our region’s greatest asset is the quality of life here. We have strong neighborhoods, a diverse cultural heritage, first-rate educational and cultural institutions, and friendly people who tend to work hard and watch out for one another. And, on top of all that, we enjoy a very affordable cost of living. For me, this is a great place to do business, because it’s simply a great place to live.”
ANDREW C. TAYLOR
chairman and CEO,
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
“St. Louis is a small big town—we have all the advantages of a much larger city, but with the familiarity of a smaller close knit community. We are centrally located for any business. For families (our associates and people we want to attract), we have great sports, the Fox, the Symphony, the Muny, and great art, as well as great neighborhoods. If you want to live and/or work urban or suburban, there is the perfect place for you all within about a 20 minute drive of anywhere and a great value for your money.”
MAXINE CLARK
chief executive bear,
Build-A-Bear Workshop
“St. Louis offers an appealing quality of life, with world class cultural and other amenities, at an affordable price, in an accessible, central location.”
DON LENTS
chairman,
Bryan Cave LLP |
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