Anderson’s team of lawyers and paralegals handle legal affairs for Belden, a global company with $2.5 billion in annual revenue and 8,000 employees, that specializes in network infrastructure and digitization solutions. Anderson says, “I marvel at their capabilities and work ethic every day.” When he was promoted to a senior role at age 40, Anderson says he was never the most vocal person at the table, but he recognized that “I deserved to be there, and my opinion mattered.”
2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? I was in college for eight years, and it gave me the credentials to pursue my career—but, gosh, imagine what else I could have accomplished in those eight years. I hope we are heading to a place where doors can be opened for people with skills and drive, without necessarily having a specified college degree. I would encourage young, smart, entrepreneurial types to build their networks early and develop the interpersonal skills that will open doors for themselves and avoid wasting key years of their 20s earning a piece of paper. I would encourage leaders to open their apertures to new types of talent who can add value to their businesses earlier, without first burdening themselves with hundreds of thousands of dollars of college debt.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? I was promoted to a senior role at a relatively young age (40). This gave me a seat at the table for all of the important conversations. I was never the most vocal person in the room but decided from the start that I deserved to be there and that my opinion mattered. Opinions from “the lawyer” on business matters was not always welcomed with open arms in the beginning, but over time, my participation showed my colleagues that I was engaged and able to provide insights on topics even though they were perhaps “out of my lane.”
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? Exercise. While it is the last thing I want to do when I’m feeling down, I feel better afterward 100 percent of the time. And I’ve found that if I keep my body healthy, it is much easier to stay positive mentally.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? My team of three lawyers and three paralegals handle virtually all of the legal affairs for a global company with $2.5 billion in annual revenue and 8,000 employees. I marvel at their capabilities and work ethic every day.
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? I am a big supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. I am not a policy maker and cannot influence the access to quality primary and secondary education in this area, so the next best thing in my mind is to support an organization that gives kids a chance to stay on the right track and pursue their dreams even if they didn’t start out in the best of circumstances.
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? What excites me most about the future of our company and industry is the clear alignment between Belden’s solutions focus and the growing needs of the market. Our solutions are tailored to address the increasingly complex challenges our customers face in connectivity, networking, and data management. With the rise of digitization, IoT, and Industry 4.0, the demand for integrated, end-to-end solutions has never been greater. By concentrating on high-growth areas and working closely with our customers to provide solutions that not only meet their needs but also anticipate future challenges, we’re positioning Belden as an indispensable partner in their success. This solutions-driven approach, combined with the company’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence, ensures that Belden will continue to lead in creating smarter, more connected systems that empower our customers and drive transformative outcomes across industries.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? I think most business leaders with that their industry was immune to business cycles. While we can’t eliminate the cyclicality of our markets, we’ve taken significant steps through our Solutions transformation to mitigate their impact on our business. By shifting from a product-centric approach to a solutions-driven model, we’ve diversified into higher-growth, less cyclical verticals and developed offerings that provide consistent value across economic cycles. This transformation has helped us create a more resilient business, enabling us to better weather market fluctuations while continuing to invest in innovation and deliver reliable solutions for our customers. While cyclicality remains a reality, our strategy ensures that Belden and our customers are better positioned to navigate it and thrive in any market conditions.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? One of the toughest business challenges we’ve faced was pivoting from a product-focused approach to a solutions-driven strategy. This shift required rethinking how we developed technologies, engaged with customers, and delivered value. It wasn’t just about improving products‚Äîit was about offering integrated, end-to-end solutions to solve broader customer challenges. The transition demanded cultural and operational adjustments, but it also unlocked a greater opportunity for Belden to be seen as a trusted partner rather than just a supplier. While the journey was challenging, it has positioned us to lead in delivering smarter, more cohesive connectivity and networking solutions.
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? There is so much information available now that it all cannot possibly be consumed. I have found a few podcasts that are entertaining and provide valuable insights of experienced business leaders on current economic and policy developments that impact business risk and opportunity.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? I have a few go-to law firm relationships with seasoned attorneys with good experience-based business sense. One of them is usually my first call when we have a challenging issue.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” This is a quote attributed to Ronald Reagan that has served me well. My career has developed fine without undercutting colleagues or engaging in self-congratulation. I tell people who work for me to that anytime they are thinking about using the word “I” in a communication to consider whether “we” would be better.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why? Carolyn Kindle and Chaim Bloom. I’m a sports fanatic and lifelong Cardinals fan so it would be fascinating to discuss the inner workings of a professional sports franchise and hear more about Mr. Bloom’s strategy to get the Cardinals back to the promised land.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? It’s a great business community, but too many companies have left due to either public safety or our airport situation. As Belden’s representative on the Regional Business Council, I hope to be a part of the solution so St. Louis can be a destination for companies to have their headquarters. It’s a great place to live and work. We just need to make it easier to get to and improve the external perception of the region.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Alton, Illinois. Grew up in Grafton, Illinois.
What was your childhood aspiration? To play first base for the Cardinals
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? I worked summers at Raging Rivers in Grafton in the Admissions function. I learned that if you show up early, stay late and take care that your work is done correctly, people will give you more and more responsibility. This has proven true throughout my life.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? I have a B.S. in Accounting and an MBA from Eastern Illinois University and a law degree from Washington University
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? Not sure. Probably working for myself in some capacity. Either running a gym or being a lowly-compensated stand-up comedian.
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? My wife and I love to sneak down the street to see Duke at the bar at Truffles. They have a BBQ rib entree that is always satisfying.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? In the past 12 months, I’ve visited all of the following for the first time: Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park and the Grand Canyon.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? I look forward every week to the Friday release of the All-In podcast on Spotify.
What’s your hobby/passion? Now that I have a young son, I’ve reverted to my childhood passions around sports. We collect baseball cards, participate in fantasy sports leagues and are trying to hit all 30 MLB stadiums before he goes to college (or discovers girls and loses interest).
What is your most prized possession? I am told I am difficult to buy presents for because I don’t have a big focus on having “stuff”. I am sentimental though so anything that reminds me of my wife and kids is pretty special.
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I’m 50 and can still bench press 315 pounds.
What is your go-to karaoke song? “Footsteps” by Pearl Jam, though I can’t sing at all.
