Robert touts nearly four decades in the hospitality industry, from working as a busser at a Holiday Inn to leading Midas Hospitality, where he drives day-to-day operations. From this bottom-to-top experience, Robert has learned that the hospitality industry thrives when companies commit to making the city an even better place to live, work, and play. “I think our secret sauce is the ability for business leaders to come together, make an investment in the community to improve the metro area,” he says. “Time and time again, businesses have stepped up to make St. Louis better.”
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2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the past 12 months? Company growth through new developments and third party management.
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? Development of two large hotel projects in the city.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome? The pandemic was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. When all you own are hotels and the governments says no one can travel, that had a huge impact on our business but especially our people.
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? Look for opportunities in St. Louis, and don’t feel like you need to go to other markets to be successful or prove yourself. St. Louis offers so many opportunities coupled with a great quality of life that you can make it here easier than going to larger cities.
MENTORS & PEERS
What is a key strength of the St. Louis metro area business environment? I think our secret sauce is the ability for business leaders to come together, make an investment in the community to improve the metro area. Time and time again, businesses have stepped up to make St. Louis better.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment? This goes for all of St. Louis: Quit saying negative things about our city. I know we are from the Show-Me State, but we have a lot going for us. People outside of St. Louis visit and say great things about the region. We need to quit emphasizing what is wrong and promote what is good. There are a lot more positive things here than negative.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis? Greg Gleicher with Good Developments Group and Gateway South
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? St. Louis Civic Pride organization: Its mission is to help make locals aware of the local assets and why we should be proud of our city, our region, and our people. We are our own worst critics at times, so the organization reminds us of why St. Louis is so great and why we should tell others about it.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Cape Girardeau
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? BS in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? I started out as a busboy at a Holiday Inn. I was fortunate to have a great manager who took me under his wing and allowed me to learn every job at the hotel so when eventually, I was prepared to move into management and eventually step out on my own.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
What’s your hobby/passion? Family. I’ve worked hard when i was younger and at some point I realized I needed to put the same effort into my family. Be present when with them and do my best to bring family together.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? I take a step back and literally count my blessings. There are so many things I’m thankful for. Taking a pause to realize what you have accomplished allows me to clear my head and then address whatever obstacle is currently in my way.
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? I can do ice carvings. I learned while I was in college and did ice carvings for weddings for many years.
