The St. Louis Business 500 highlights some of the metro area’s most impactful, innovative, and inspirational leaders, from C-suite executives to under-the-radar entrepreneurs across an array of industries.
Beyond the brief bios below, we created a questionnaire to shed light on some of these leaders’ achievements, aspirations, and interests beyond the office. Click “Read More“for more interesting insights from some of St. Louis’ top business leaders.
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SUBASH ALIAS
CEO, MISSOURI PARTNERSHIP
Alias has steered Missouri Partnership through a run of major wins, including Americold’s $100 million logistics hub in Kansas City and Acculevel’s $8.7 million regional expansion. For St. Louis, his pitch often centers on freight and distribution strengths: The region has a $9 billion infrastructure improvement plan covering bridges, rail, and intermodal facilities, which positions the metro area as a top choice for companies considering Midwest operations.
BRAD DEAN
PRESIDENT AND CEO, EXPLORE ST. LOUIS
When Dean accepted the job to lead Explore St. Louis in 2025, he passed on larger markets because he believed the city had momentum. His early focus has been on marketing downtown as a hub for conventions and events, while balancing the promise of a revitalized America’s Center with the vibrancy and potential of nearby blocks. That work will be tested this year when St. Louis hosts the VEX Robotics World Championship, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors. [Read More]
PAT KELLY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OF METRO ST. LOUIS
In 2025, the Municipal League tracked a wave of state legislation affecting city governance. Among the bills that passed: Cities can no longer charge business license fees for entrepreneurs under age 18 (SB 145); fire and ambulance districts statewide can now levy up to 1 percent sales taxes (SB 271); and feminine hygiene products and diapers are now exempt from sales taxes (HB 594). Kelly and his team continue to monitor such policy developments and support member cities through changing administrative rules.
ALBERTO G. MUSALEM
PRESIDENT AND CEO, FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF ST. LOUIS
A former International Monetary Fund economist with degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Pennsylvania, Musalem believes the Eighth Federal Reserve District, which includes most of Missouri, as well as parts of Illinois, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee plays a key role in the broader economy. “We take our responsibility very seriously in everything we do,” he says. “Whether it is contributing to the nation’s monetary policy; fostering a safe, sound, and stable financial system; promoting consumer protection and community development; supporting the U.S. Treasury as a fiscal agent; or advancing a safe, efficient, and accessible payments system.” [Read More]
TIM NOWAK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WORLD TRADE CENTER ST. LOUIS
Over the past year, Nowak has helped organize efforts to forge relationships with emerging business and trade partners in Africa, a fast-growing continent that he believes is full of untapped potential for local organizations. Above all, Nowak is determined to help the region thrive. “We have so much history, so many great stories, people, and assets to lean into and be our authentic St. Louis,” he says. [Read More]
MARK PERKINS
CEO, GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY
Following in the footsteps of predecessor Susan Trautman, Perkins arrives at GRG during a critical moment. The organization has scored many recent wins, including the opening of Chain of Rocks Park, and it’s made serious headway on the Brickline Greenway and the Centennial Greenway. “The vision of building a regional greenway system is both inspiring and deeply meaningful to me,” Perkins says. “It’s an honor to be part of something with such long-term impact.” [Read More]
GEN. RANDALL REED
USTRANSCOM COMMANDER AT U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND, SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE
The Virginia native says there’s never been a more exciting time to be in the field of transportation and logistics, and there’s no place like St. Louis to do the work. “We really are the Gateway City,” he says. Billions of dollars in investment across the St. Louis area, including big changes coming to Lambert, are a testament to the region’s position for long-term success. “It’s great to see the city, state, and country double down on the strengths of our region,” Reed says. [Read More]
TAULBY ROACH
PRESIDENT AND CEO, BI-STATE DEVELOPMENT
Roach heads a large and diverse system that includes MetroBus, MetroLink, the Eads Bridge, the St. Louis Downtown Airport, and the Arch trams. He emphasizes innovation, consensus-building, and showing up, often alongside operators and mechanics who keep the system running. “Watch a pro navigate the streets of St. Louis with a 40-foot bus and do it with a smile and positive attitude, that will wake you up,” Roach says. He’s also championed partnerships with non-transit entities, such as Chestnut Health Systems, which places mental health professionals on transit lines to support riders and improve public safety in real time. [Read More]
SUZANNE SIERRA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ST. LOUIS MOSAIC PROJECT
As the leader of an organization whose goal is to maintain St. Louis as the fastest-growing major metropolitan area for immigration, Sierra says her role’s biggest challenge is remaining hopeful and forward-looking amid uncertainty brought on by recent changes in federal immigration policy. She takes heart in the fact that her 9-to-5 is to help new arrivals fall in love with St. Louis. [Read More]
SUSAN TAYLOR
PORT DIRECTOR, ST. LOUIS PORT AUTHORITY
Taylor leads the City of St. Louis Port Authority, part of the Port of Metropolitan St. Louis, a 70-mile network that ranks among the nation’s busiest, and most efficient, inland ports. The system moves millions of tons of freight annually, and as the northernmost lock-and-ice-free port on the Mississippi River, it provides year-round access that’s vital to the U.S. supply chain and regional economy.
JIM WILD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EAST-WEST GATEWAY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
At East-West Gateway, Wild helps regional leaders tackle major challenges, from transportation to public safety. He’s a key force behind Save Lives Now!, a violence prevention effort in St. Louis City and County, as well as St. Clair County in Illinois. Wild believes in leading by listening and embracing hard conversations. He champions collaboration, not just among executives, but with the behind-the-scenes teammates who keep efforts such as the Bridge to Home regional initiative to reduce homelessness moving forward. [Read More]
ABDUL-KABA ABDULLAH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PARK CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT
At Park Central Development, Abdullah leads neighborhood, and community-development efforts, in 10 neighborhoods across the metro area. Abdullah is also part of the North Newstead Association, a nonprofit with a mission to support and serve North St. Louis communities through quality, reliable housing; community-building programs; and economic opportunities.
DOUG AUER
CO-FOUNDER, DELMAR MAKER DISTRICT; THIRD DEGREE GLASS FACTORY
In addition to leading Third Degree Glass Factory for more than two decades, Auer has been instrumental in developing the Delmar Maker District into a dynamic area of the city that now features locally owned restaurants, shops, and studios. But all that progress was tested when the tornado struck the neighborhood on May 16, damaging parts of the Delmar Maker District, including Third Degree’s building. Over the ensuing months, Auer helped lead recovery efforts to ensure the district continues to grow.
BROOKS GOEDEKER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAINT LOUIS MIDTOWN REDEVELOPMENT CORP.
Goedeker’s work with the SLMRC has helped elevate Midtown’s vibrancy. He’s helped catalyze such developments as City Foundry, Target, Top-golf, and more than 1,000 housing units. In 2025, 4 million people visited Midtown, which is now a thriving district all year round. [Read More]
HOWARD SMITH
PRINCIPAL AND CO-FOUNDER, SMITH NMTC ASSOCIATES
Smith’s firm has structured New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) deals for projects ranging from health care expansions in underserved neighborhoods, to educational facilities and food-access programs across Missouri. By helping nonprofits and community developers leverage federal tax credits, Smith has broadened access to financing that traditional lenders often overlook. His work serves as a model for using complex financing tools to support community infrastructure and deliver long-term benefits to neighborhoods and communities across the region.
KAREN BRANDING
PRESIDENT AND CEO, REGIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL
Branding assumed leadership of the RBC in May 2024, after more than a decade heading external engagement at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Her agenda focuses on amplifying regional collaboration across education, workforce, and public safety sectors in which RBC has long partnered with business, government, and nonprofits. If she could change anything about the St. Louis metro area, it would be to get everyone moving in the same direction. “The region is disconnected by geography, jurisdictions, and competing priorities,” she says. “Having a common focus is key to progress.” [Read More]
RODNEY CRIM
PRESIDENT AND CEO, ST. LOUIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
Crim helps drive industry throughout the region. His extensive experience in public and private enterprise helped pave the way for a career built on staying curious, both about oneself and the world around us. “Stay in learning mode. Watch what others are doing but also take the time to understand your own interests,” he says. “Think about where your passions intersect with your skills or training, and if there’s a gap, figure out what you need to learn or do to get there.” [Read More]
MARTHA GARCIA-KAMPEN
PRESIDENT AND CEO, HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS
Since stepping into the chamber’s top role, Garcia-Kampen has been a part of launching programs geared toward helping members start and scale their businesses, women’s financial empowerment, and more. If she could fix anything in the region’s business ecosystem, she says she’d like to promote more collaboration and “assure all anchor corporations truly practice what they preach in terms of building an equitable and inclusive cultural environment.” [Read More]
RON KITCHENS
CEO, GREATER ST. LOUIS, INC.
A native of Ozark, Missouri, Kitchens comes to St. Louis by way of Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was the city’s president and CEO of the chamber of commerce and industry. He also co-founded Consultant Connect, the nation’s largest economic-development consulting firm. Kitchens assumed his role in November 2025 and works alongside regional business leaders, as well as public officials and institutions, to attract new investment to the area, encourage job growth, support the transformation of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and help revitalize downtown.
OMAR MALIK
PRESIDENT, ASIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF ST. LOUIS
Malik has helped grow the Asian American Chamber into a visible advocate for entrepreneurs and professionals across the region. In 2025, the chamber commissioned an economic impact report underscoring the influence of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in St. Louis’ ecosystem. “I’m biased as president of AACC, but we’re an inspiring economic development, job creation, and foreign direct investment engine for St. Louis,” says Malik, who also practices law at Thompson Coburn, where he focuses on tax and wealth planning. [Read More]
LINDA OGBAH FAAS
PRESIDENT, AFRICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ST. LOUIS
Ogbah Faas has expanded the reach of the African Chamber, positioning it as a connector between St. Louis and international partners. The organization could play a significant role in the region’s business landscape in the years to come, as St. Louis leaders place a greater emphasis on building business and trade relationships with companies and entrepreneurs in Africa.
JULIA CAMPBELL
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MISSOURI TECHNOLOGY CORP.
Campbell stepped into the interim executive director role in early January, bringing more than a decade of experience supporting early-stage companies and advancing statewide innovation efforts to the position. Before joining MTC, Campbell worked as director of accelerator operations at Stadia Ventures and served as director of programs at Arch Grants. Since launching in 2005, MTC has invested more than $60 million in nearly 170 early-stage, tech-focused companies in Missouri.
MARVIN STEELE
PRESIDENT AND CEO, HEARTLAND ST. LOUIS BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The chamber played a critical role in the region’s response to the May tornado. Last June, Steele’s organization hosted a Disaster Relief Symposium at Ballpark Village, bringing together pastors, civic leaders, and the Red Cross to coordinate tornado recovery efforts across metro St. Louis. That same month, it also launched a Disaster Recovery Business Registry, aimed at supporting Black-and minority-owned businesses by connecting them with recovery resources, contracts, and grants. The chamber is a hands-on resource for visibility, collaboration, and growth among the region’s Black-owned businesses.
OTIS WILLIAMS
INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO, ST. LOUIS DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Williams led SLDC from 2013 to 2021, before stepping back into the role on an interim basis in May 2025. During Williams’ career, he has championed such monumental developments as Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village, and Cortex. He is a U.S. Army veteran and achieved the rank of colonel. (Note: Stephen Westbrooks was named president and CEO of the St. Louis Development Corporation in early March, shortly after publication.)
