The Edward Jones Dean's Speaker Series brings together area business leaders, policymakers, academics and students to discuss leading issues facing business in the 21st century.
Thursday, September 15, 2022 - 7:30 a.m.
Building a Dynamic Organization in a Fast-Moving and Competitive Marketplace
Today's marketplace moves faster than ever. Whatever your industry, competition is fierce. Organizations must anticipate challenges and respond quickly to seize opportunities. Since 1997, Ron Kruszewski has led St. Louis-based global wealth management and investment banking company Stifel Financial Corp. His business plan over the last 25 years to build a dynamic organization by attracting the best people to work with the firm has achieved incredible success. During Stifel's quarter century of commitment to this plan, the firm grew from $102 million to $4.7 billion in revenue, from $35 million to, recently, approximately $8 billion in market capitalization.
About the Speaker
Ronald J. Kruszewski is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stifel Financial Corp. and its principal subsidiary, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated. He joined the firm as Chief Executive Officer in 1997 and was named Chairman in 2001.
Mr. Kruszewski is the current Chairman of the American Securities Association (ASA) and serves on the Board of Directors of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA). From 2014 through 2019, he served on the Federal Advisory Council of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for FutureFuel Corp. and on the Board of Trustees for Saint Louis University and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation.
Active in community affairs, Mr. Kruszewski serves as a member of the Chair’s Council for Greater St. Louis Inc. He is also past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Downtown STL, Inc. and past non‐ executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angelica Corporation. In addition, he is a member of the St. Louis Chapter of the World Presidents’ Organization. In 2019, Mr. Kruszewski won the Horatio Alger Award and was selected for membership in the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, which honors individuals who have overcome adversity to achieve success and who have demonstrated commitment to higher education and charitable endeavors. In 2019, he was also invited to join The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council, a network of more than 200 global influential business leaders that focuses on the economic and social issues facing the future.
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 - 12:00 p.m.
The Pandemic Pivot: Innovations in Crisis Management
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every aspect of daily life, from the personal (how people live and work) to the professional (how companies interact with their customers, how customers choose and purchase products and services and how supply chains deliver them). Our virtual panel discussion, moderated by Edward Jones Dean Barnali Gupta, will explore the fallout from the pandemic, the way companies pivoted to succeed during unprecedented times and the lasting effects that will fundamentally change the way businesses operate.
About the Panelists
Ramon Bahl (CSB, '90, '92)
Ramon is CEO and co-founder of ATB Technologies, an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP)
and application development firm in St. Louis. ATB provides customized technology
solutions for small- to mid-size companies, ranging from network infrastructure projects
to fully outsourced IT support. ATB separates itself from its competitors by offering
expert technical knowledge with superior customer service.
Michelle Murray, CPA (CSB, '93)
Michelle is the managing director and founder of Segue Partners which provides fund
administration, investor relations, financial reporting and back-office solutions
for Venture Capital funds, Private Equity funds and family offices as well as VC-backed
start-ups. Prior to founding Segue Partners, Murray served as Director and CFO of
Prolog Ventures LLC, a life sciences venture capital firm managing $120 million in
assets from high-net-worth and institutional investors.
Dan Wessel, (CSB, '91)
Through the first 18 months of the pandemic, Dan served as Vice President of Entegral,
a subsidiary of Enterprise Holdings which provides an integrated software platform
to streamline the claims process for service providers working to get a customer on
their way and back into a vehicle. In this role, Wessel oversaw sales, product management,
technology development, customer support, product delivery and human resources for
Entegral. Recently, Wessel was promoted to Vice-President for Global Business Management
for Enterprise Holdings.
Thursday, November 7, 2019 - 7:30 a.m.
Business Innovation and Our National Defense
Inherent to the National Guard's roles and responsibilities is the strategic depth it enjoys. That depth enables relevant and capable capacity that meets the needs of combatant commanders abroad, civilian authorities within our borders and allies around the globe. On November 7, the Edward Jones Dean's Breakfast Series welcomes General Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss the critical role business innovation and development plays in our national defense and the value of partnership and collaboration within the military, business and life.
About the Speaker
General Joseph L. Lengyel serves as the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this capacity, he serves as a military adviser to the President, Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and is the Department of Defense’s official channel of communication to the Governors and State Adjutants General on all matters pertaining to the National Guard. He is responsible for ensuring that the more than 453,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and to provide combat ready resources to the Army and Air Force.
General Lengyel was commissioned in 1981 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at University of North Texas. He served in various operational and staff assignments, primarily as an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Weapons Officer. His experience in the F-16 includes tours in Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, United States Air Forces in Europe and the Texas Air National Guard. He has commanded a fighter squadron, operations group, air expeditionary group and the Air National Guard Readiness Center. General Lengyel is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours primarily in the F-16. Additionally, General Lengyel served as the Senior United States Defense Official; Chief, Office of Military Cooperation; and Defense Attaché, Cairo, United States Central Command, Cairo, Egypt.
Thursday, October 10, 2019 - 7:30 a.m.
Prospect Yards: Midtown Reimagined
Midtown St. Louis has been on the move for years, but area development has accelerated since 2017 when the City of St. Louis adopted Saint Louis University and SSM Health’s “St. Louis Midtown 353 Redevelopment Plan.” In just over two years, the plan has attracted development which promises to continue the growth of Midtown. On Thursday, October 10, the Chaifetz School’s Edward Jones Dean’s Breakfast Series welcomes Brooks Goedeker, executive director of the St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corporation, and Steve Smith, CEO of the Lawrence Group, to discuss the new Prospect Yards district, the City Foundry STL development and the future of Midtown.
About the Speakers
Brooks Goedeker currently serves as the Executive Director of the St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corporation. In that role, Goedeker is responsible for attracting investment in the nearly 400-acre area around and between SLU’s north and south campuses. He also develops land-use plans, reviews development proposals and works with public officials to oversee development for the area. Prior to joining SLU, Goedeker served as the executive director of Park Central Development, a nonprofit organization that promotes development in the city’s central corridor, including The Grove and parts of the Central West End. At Park Central Development, he oversaw approximately 50 percent of all construction projects in the city of St. Louis from 2013 to 2017 with project budgets totaling more than $2.2 billion. Goedeker was born in the city of St. Louis, attended Saint Louis University High School and holds a Master of Social Work from Saint Louis University and Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Washington University in St. Louis.
Steve Smith currently serves as CEO of the Lawrence Group, an integrated planning, design, architecture and construction firm with offices in St. Louis, Austin and New York. Active in Midtown’s redevelopment, the Lawrence Group led design of the new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital opening in Fall 2020 and is currently developing the former Century Electric foundry into a 15-acre site to feature office, retail and entertainment space and St. Louis’ first food hall. The firm’s work has been recognized by the city of St. Louis with a Mayor’s Award, Business Leadership Award and Development of the Year Award. Smith was a founding member of the Lawrence Group in 1983. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kansas.
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 - 7:30 a.m.
St. Louis County & the Region's Economic Future
From companies big and small to a wide-range of economic development organizations, St. Louis has no shortage of local players working to move the region’s economy forward. There is perhaps no bigger local influencer, however, than St. Louis County Government. On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, the Chaifetz School of Business will host the man in charge, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, for a discussion on his goals for the region and county initiatives to drive growth at the first event of the 2019-2020 Edward Jones Dean’s Breakfast Series.
About the Speaker
Dr. Sam Page was elected as St. Louis County Executive in April 2019. Prior to taking over as county executive, he served as chairman of the St. Louis County Council, representing citizens of the 2nd Council District since August 2014. Dr. Page also represented portions of St. Louis County in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2003-2008.
Dr. Page earned an undergraduate degree in Chemistry while working his way through college. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the UMKC School of Medicine where he was selected to Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Page completed a residency in anesthesiology at Northwestern University and a fellowship in Pain Management at Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Page is a Past President of the Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists and the Missouri Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. He has served as Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 499, and currently is a Merit Badge Counselor for Citizenship in the Community for the Greater St. Louis Area Council - Boy Scouts of America.
Dr. Page lives in Creve Coeur with his wife, Dr. Jennifer Page, and three sons
Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - 7:30 a.m.
Values-Based Leadership
Leadership is as important in business today as it ever has been. On April 9, join Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones, for the Chaifetz School's final Edward Jones Dean's Breakfast of 2018-2019 and a conversation on the importance of values for effective leadership.
About the Speaker
Penny Pennington is the managing partner of Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 financial services firm. As managing partner, the sixth in the firm’s 97-year history, Pennington is responsible for the firm’s strategic direction, working together with the more than 43,000 associates across the U.S. and Canada who make a meaningful difference in the lives of more than 7 million clients by helping them financially achieve their most important goals.
Pennington began her career with Edward Jones in 2000 as a financial advisor in Livonia, Mich. At the firm, she has held leadership roles in New Financial Advisor Training, Branch Office Administrator Development and Branch and Region Development before leading the Client Strategies Group in 2015.
Pennington earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a concentration in finance from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation and is a graduate of Wharton’s Securities Industry Institute.
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 - 7:30 a.m.
Cybersecurity: A Business Imperative
While the digital age has created a boon of business opportunities, those opportunities have not come without challenges, and effective cybersecurity has become an imperative for any business operating in today's environment. Join the Chaifetz School of Business Edward Jones Dean’s Breakfast Series on February 28 for a discussion on this critical business function. Moderated by Jason Carter, president of UNCOMN (formerly Aegis Strategies), the panel will bring together leading cybersecurity experts from across sectors to discuss current and future cybersecurity challenges and innovative solutions to address these threats.
About the Panel
Jarrett Kolthoff is the founder and chief executive officer of SpearTip - Cyber Counterintelligence. In the role, he works every day with SpearTip’s cyber counterintelligence operatives to identify, assess, neutralize, exploit and eliminate threats waged against the company’s clients. Kolthoff is a former Special Agent – U.S. Army Counterintelligence with over two decades of experience in the field of information security.
Poonam Verma is currently vice president, Corporate Security at MasterCard. In the role, Verma leads efforts for internal & external access provisioning, physical security access systems implementation, authorization/authentication services, access governance, design/development and overall access support. She has more than 14 years of experience in information security.
Sony Jacob is chief information officer for SSM Health. As CIO, Jacob oversees implementation of the health care organization’s IT strategy and systems. He is also in charge of expanding the organization’s internal IT consultancy to partner with other senior leaders in addressing business issues and aligning technology assets for future growth.
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 - 7:30 a.m.
Delivering Readiness & Resiliency in an Unpredictable World
About the Speaker
Major General Stephen E. Farmen is currently the Commanding General of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. He holds a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and completed the Senior Service College Fellowship as the first military fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Transportation and Logistics.
MG Farmen's illustrious career includes serving as Commanding General of U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, Joint Munitions Command and 19th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) since serving as 26th Chief of Transportation and the Commandant of the Transportation School at Fort Lee, Virginia.
MG Farmen's awards and decorations are highlighted by the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal, among many others.
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 - 7:30 a.m.
Data Analytics & the 21st Century CFO
The ability to analyze and interpret data has never been more integral to business success than it is in today’s business environment. On October 10, the Chaifetz School of Business Edward Jones Dean’s Breakfast Series will bring together those who perhaps utilize data analytics most in their profession – chief financial officers. Moderated by David Heimburger, vice president and chief financial officer of Saint Louis University, the panel will include CFOs from retail, public utilities and healthcare to discuss the importance of data analytics in their roles and the future of the accounting and finance professions.
About the Panelists
Ken Hannah is the chief financial officer for Caleres, Inc., a $2.8 billion global, footwear company. In the role, Hannah oversees all aspects of the company’s domestic and international finance, accounting, treasury, tax, real estate, store operations, asset management and investor relations functions.
Marty Lyons is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Ameren Corporation as well as president of Ameren Services. In these capacities, Lyons is responsible for corporate strategy, investor relations, accounting and finance, information technology, risk management, supply chain, nuclear and project oversight, environmental services and a number of other shared business services.
Cheryl Matejka is the chief financial officer of Mercy East Communities, based in and around the St. Louis area. As Mercy East Communities CFO, Matejka has financial responsibility for the region’s six hospitals, 800+ clinic providers, and a variety of other joint venture relationships.
Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 - 7:30 a.m.
The Region's Economic Future
For more than 25 years, Tom Chulick has championed regional economic growth as a financial services industry executive and a committed civic leader. Since March 2018, Chulick has served the St. Louis Regional Chamber as president and CEO. Chulick discussed keys to growing the St. Louis economy and the Chamber’s priorities to help drive that growth at the Edward Jones Dean’s Breakfast Series on Thursday, Sept. 6.
About the Speaker
Tom Chulick currently serves as president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber. Chulick is the former chairman, CEO and president of UMB Bank in St. Louis. He specialized in business growth, commercial banking, brokerage, institutional asset management, wealth management and treasury services.
During his tenure at UMB, the St. Louis Region market achieved unprecedented sales growth with a six-year compounded annual growth rate over 24 percent. Chulick led a successful turnaround in three markets and as a result, his model became the UMB Bank standard. During his tenure, Forbes Magazine recognized UMB Bank as one of the best run banks in America for five consecutive years.
Chulick holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Rockhurst University. He previously served as a member of the Chaifetz School of Business Executive Advisory Board.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - 7:30 a.m.
Caterpillars, Chocolates and Clinical Trials: A Panel Discussion with Private Business CEO's
Moderated by Khalia Collier, owner of the St. Louis Surge and Program Coordinator of Saint Louis University’s Institute for Private Business, the panel featured three experienced private business CEOs who discussed challenges, opportunities and lessons learned for success in private business.
About the Panelists
Ray Barrett is the founder of Biomedical Systems, a global company founded in 1975 specializing in clinical trial services and medical devices. Prior to Biomedical Systems, he founded Landshire Food Systems in 1959 and developed the company into a multimillion dollar enterprise before it was acquired by Southland Corporation in 1977. Barrett earned a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Louis University in 1960 and was an inaugural inductee to SLU’s Entrepreneurial Alumni Hall of Fame.
Doug Fabick is CEO of Fabick Cat, the exclusive dealer of Caterpillar equipment, power systems, arts and service, and rental equipment for major portions of Missouri, Illinois, the entire state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He is the fourth-generation leader of the company, which was founded on South Grand in 1917. Fabick earned a BSBA from Saint Louis University in 1990.
Tim Fogerty has been CEO of Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier since 2013. Prior to taking the helm at the St. Louis-based confectioner, he founded Gateway EDI, a provider of healthcare billing solutions which was sold to Colorado-based TriZetto Group in 2011. Fogerty’s charitable gift established SLU’s Blue Diamonds Accelerator program in the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship to support the development of SLU student’s entrepreneurial ideas.