Leading a company comes with its share of stresses. As president of CD Companies, a Maplewood-based architecture firm, Cutter has found value in David Allen’s book Getting Things Done, which helps organize the chaos of a busy work life. When faced with adversity, Cutter likes to break the big problem into smaller pieces. “I trust my mind to work out solutions at night,” he says. “Your subconscious can be the most powerful tool you have.”
Keep up with local business news and trends
Subscribe to the St. Louis Business newsletter to get the latest insights sent to your inbox every morning.
2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the past 12 months? We have achieved significant growth in our healthcare, grocery, governmental, and early childhood education sectors.
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? We are a strong company with a great history. The last few years have seen significant expansion and evolution, yet I am confident we are still much nearer the beginning of our growth journey than we are to its completion.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? Too few companies are developing and advancing our software. Our tools must advance more quickly to take advantage of artificial intelligence. Freed from the time to conventionally draw and produce calculations, a wave of creativity can be unleashed as professionals collaborate with AI to nearly instantly explore the possibilities.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome? The competition for talent is intense. St. Louis has many very large, well-established companies competing for talent with the smaller and mid-size consulting firms. In addition to the regular incentives, we offer the chance for meaningfull ownership. Our succession plans are well underway.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? Our first attempt to buy the business did not succeed. Our second did in part because we put in a lot more advance work. Addressing all possible outcomes ahead of time helped us deal with the bumps that came along the way.
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? I believe we must eventually have some form of a unified city-county government, perhaps even a regional one. We need to stop competing with each other, do what’s right for the region to bring more people and businesses here, and compete nationally to lift up all of our areas. Growth equals opportunity.
MENTORS & PEERS
What is a key strength of the St. Louis metro area business environment? We do work across the country, and St. Louis is perfectly located to support that. Our region is also an affordable place to live with many wonderful things to do.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment? We need to improve our image nationally and get young architects and engineers more excited about locating here. We need to project growth and opportunity. We need our governmental structures to come together to do what’s best for the region.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? I have to give a lot of credit to my partners who bought the company with me 10 years ago who are still serving critical roles with me. They are Darren Ditto, Jack Reynolds, Mike Sundermeyer, Dan Birke, Mark Spalinger, Mike Grapperhaus, and Mike Lee. It’s a team effort!
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Worcester, Massachusetts. My family moved to St. Louis when I was 2.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? B.S. Architectural Engineering, 1989 The University of Kansas
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? A structural engineering intern with Sverdrup Corporation (St. Louis) in the Special Structures Department—my first structural engineering job. At the earliest part of my career, I learned the importance of breaking a complex problem down into smaller solvable problems, a discipline I’ve used ever since.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
What’s your hobby/passion? Boating at the Lake of Ozarks and spending time with family.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? Getting Things Done by David Allen contains a simple yet powerful set of concepts for organizing and dealing with the chaos of a busy work life.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? Break the big problem into smaller ones, and tackle them one at a time. I also trust my mind to work out solutions at night. Your subconscious can be the most powerful tool you have.
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? I do as many home, auto, and boat repairs as I can and as time allows. I still love getting my hands dirty.
