If Goodson could change one thing about the pharmaceutical industry, he’d dispel the myth surrounding big pharma and science. “I have worked with so many wonderful people from all different life-science companies, and the theme that runs true in almost all of them is their desire to serve patients,” he says. Goodson, who has more than 20 years of experience in financial leadership, believes that collaboration is key: “More collaboration and highlighting all the good that can come from science and innovation will only help us move forward toward those goals.”
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? Focusing on the industry, innovation has to be the most exciting part of the future. Whether that be precision or personalized medicine, AI, gene therapy, etc, there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to using the rapid advancement of technology to address global health needs. Much like we have seen in the tech industry, I believe that the life sciences industry is set to make great strides over the next couple of decades. Strides that I don’t believe we could not have even imagined 20 years ago.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? The perception of big pharma and science in general. There certainly have been several reasons for distrust and skepticism from the public and there will always be a target on the back of this industry. I have worked with so many wonderful people from all different life science companies and the theme that runs true in almost all of them is their desire to serve patients. We want to see improvements in patients’ lives, we want to see cures for the diseases that haunt our global population. That image of serving patients in the industry is not captured well or if at all externally. I would love to see more impactful dialog around how we can all work towards those common goals and do so with more support than we currently have. More collaboration and highlighting all the good that can come from science and innovation will only help us move forward towards those goals.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? I have had the unfortunate or fortunate, depending on how you measure learning experiences, to be involved in three corporate bankruptcies. Each for a different reason, each with a unique set of challenges and twice with Mallinckrodt where I am currently employed. The uncertainty of the experience, combined with the work requirements above and beyond the normal everyday items create significant business challenges, not just from an operations perspective, but from a people, climate and culture perspective. They say some of your greatest learnings and advancements in your career come from your greatest challenges and from my experience this is most certainly true. You never know what you or an organization can be fully capable of until you are tested with such adversity.
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? I try to use my peers, my boss, members of our board, past and present to think through strategies. I utilize my network of advisors to test strategies and business ideas to ensure that I am not missing something. Maybe that is something with industry trends, past transactional learnings, etc. One person will never know everything, and you need a network to support you as you progress your career. I try to hire a team that rounds out skill sets and can provide perspectives that are new, different and challenge my thinking. I want to have a team that doesn’t think the same way as me.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? I don’t have one single mentor that I have used my whole career. Throughout my career I have met incredibly bright, driven and successful men and women. Each of them have different perspectives and key learnings from their life. When I come across people like this, I do my best to keep in touch on a regular basis. This could just be updating them on life or seeking advice on career or key business decisions. As you advance in your career, I find that adding to your network, who you seek mentorship from is important. What your needs are from those mentorship relationships will change over time.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? Bring solutions not problems. Everyday we are faced with challenges. Whether that be in our current roles, projects, or the company as a whole. I was told to be someone who works to find solutions to those problems instead of being one who just lists those problems or complains. This advice has never failed me.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why? One would be Sarah London, CEO of Centene and the other would be Tom Stillman, owner of the St. Louis Blues. For Sarah London, I have always admired the growth and the size of Centene. Their presence in St. Louis is vitally important. In addition, Centene serves the life sciences industry and being able to get her perspectives on the industry, the regulatory landscape, the future of innovation and the interplay to rising healthcare costs would be incredibly valuable. I would also use the opportunity for career advice and mentorship from her. For Tom Stillman, I have been a life-long blues fan, and the 2018-19 Stanley Cup was one of the best moments for sports in St. Louis history. Spending any time with him to hear his vision of the game, the history and the future would be time well spent.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis and why? Brett Walden, SVP Financial Solutions at RGA. Brett worked for me at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and we have remained friends and stayed in touch. I always found him to be one of the brightest finance professionals in the room, no matter the level he was at. After leaving PwC he went to work for RGA and as you can see from his resume and the number of promotions he has been having great success there.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? In the last 20 years of my career, I have seen St. Louis be on the losing end of corporate mergers and acquisitions, losing key jobs and industry expertise. I would love to see us go on the offensive and look to bring in new companies and industry. Find a way to specialize in an area and expound the supply of talent. I believe if leaders in the area would focus here, many of the area’s troubles could be improved and we can become a destination place for many.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Christian Hospital in northern St. Louis. Born and raised in St. Charles County and only left during my college years.
What was your childhood aspiration? I wanted to play baseball for the Cardinals when I was in little league. As I got older, I aspired to be an architect.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Outside of mowing grass for relatives and neighbors, my first real job was at Shop n Save as someone who helped get carts and worked in the warehouse. It was hard work, but I did it because I wanted to be able to afford my car, hobbies, and activities with my friends. Nothing was given to me at that age, and everything had to be earned. I knew that the more I worked, the more I could afford the things I wanted, and it amplified my work ethic, seeing that reward. Working there with people from all sorts of backgrounds was probably the beginning of my learnings of different viewpoints about people outside of my family and friends.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? I hold a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Missouri–Columbia. (MIZ-ZOU!) I also hold a CPA license in the state of Missouri.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? Growing up, I looked up to my grandfather. He was like a second dad to me. He is the one that helped me develop my love of fishing and the outdoors. I became passionate about the sport of fishing as a kid because of him and even into my teenage years. If I had to do it over again, and seeing how the sport has evolved professionally and through social media I would love to be doing that full time. The peace that comes with being outside, the competition, the ability to see the beauty of God’s creation on a regular basis would certainly beat any office life!
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? I am a fan of Annie Gunn’s, but do not go there as often as I would like. Anything on the Hill is great, and I wish we lived closer to that area to try new places.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? Purchasing a home at Lake of the Ozarks. I grew up at this lake with my grandparents. I have incredible memories growing up as a kid and having family vacation at the lake. I always wanted a place for my kids, their friends, our family to come and enjoy and create those memories for themselves. We love to entertain and share the experiences down there.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? Most books I read are centered around biographies of successful athletes or business individuals. I found the book Steve Jobs to be a great story of being an entrepreneur, learning how to build a business along the way, and the nature of growing into leadership and success.
What’s your hobby/passion? I love to fish. I really don’t care what kind: fresh water, deep sea, I like it all. Also, fitness—I have been doing CrossFit for more than 10 years and find different ways to challenge myself with different sorts of events, whether that be a mini triathlon, 5Ks, CrossFit competitions, tough mudders… I like to test my fitness and challenge myself routinely.
What is your most prized possession? Probably my collection of sneakers, mostly Jordan brand, and my ever-expanding whiskey/bourbon collection.
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I recently finished a three-year term on the Wentzville School Board as an elected official, serving from April 2021 to April 2024. I am passionate about public education and wanted to use my career experiences to volunteer my time for the betterment of our next generation. I also still play video games for fun and use it as a chance to decompress from the stresses of life.
What is your go-to karaoke song? For starters, I am not good at singing, so there is not really a go-to song, but you might hear me sing something from Ludacris or a country song from time to time.
