Kaiser has led the firm’s St. Louis office for more than a decade, and today he provides executive leadership to CBRE’s businesses in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, and Nebraska. Outside of the office, he likes to travel and ride Harley-Davidsons.
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? The Great Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008/2009 has been the toughest in recent memory. The markets were very illiquid, which led to a frozen environment where nothing was happening. Being in the transactional business, that market dynamic had dire consequences for our industry. We had to be flexible and remain patient as it took years to return to normalcy.
MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? I am very involved in YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), holding leadership positions including Chapter Chair for St. Louis in 2022-23. It is a peer organization of extraordinary leaders of business. I receive sound business advice from my YPO Forum (9 members) as well as other members of the Chapter.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why?
- David Steward of World Wide Technology: He does not seek the spotlight, keeps a relatively low profile, yet he continues to grow his company year over year and is a market leader. I would love to learn more from him about his decision to leave a stable job at FedEx to start his business.
- August Busch III: Anheuser-Busch is such an iconic brand and a proud symbol of St. Louis, even after the sale to Inbev in 2008.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? We have to find a solution to the decline of St. Louis’ downtown area. Downtown is the heart of any region. As I write this, we have no viable plan to revitalize our downtown. The business community needs to play a critical role in the solution, as we’ve seen in other rustbelt cities like Pittsburgh and Detroit.
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BACKGROUND
Where were you born? St. Louis
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was as a field engineer for McCarthy. I was assigned to construct an expansion to the Bodine Aluminum (now known as Toyota Motor Manufacturing) facility in Troy, Missouri. I learned a lot about how to work on a great team (union tradespeople, subcontractors, etc.) to achieve success.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois — Urbana-Champaign
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? My wife and I love to go to Sugo’s in Frontenac and sit at the bar with Tony. Nothing beats a Del Pietro Salad with Rigatoni Salsiccia.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? I had the pleasure of spending time with Navy SEALs from SEAL Team Six while they were training in St. Louis several years ago. I had immense respect for our military prior, but meeting these American heroes was a true honor. One of the Seals with whom I remain in touch recommended that I read the book Fearless by Eric Blehm. It provides a glimpse into the extreme courage and sacrifice of our greatest military fighters, and an appreciation for our freedom.
What’s your hobby/passion? I love to travel and see the world, both domestic and international.
What is your most prized possession? My wife, Cori, and my six daughters are the world to me.
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I like to ride Harley-Davidsons and listen to Mariah Carey.
