Business Leaders Blog

Jerry Foster Challenges Himself and Others to Excellence

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:08:29 -0400

Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, Foster Group is an independent, fee-only financial planning and investment advisory firm dedicated to providing objective advice and solutions that reduce the complexity of wealth management and establish a high probability of success. The firm was founded in 1989 by Jerry Foster, CFP, whose vision was to create an organization that emphasized teamwork and serving clients first. With more than $1.2 billion in assets under management, Foster Group services over 900 clients in 38 states and works with individuals, non-profit organizations, fiduciaries, trust funds, and retirement plans to grow assets, preserve capital, and avoid marketplace risk.

Jerry Foster, who serves as the chairman of the firm, lives by the motto, “Challenge to excellence,” and challenges his team toward excellence in delivering a world-class experience for their clients on a daily basis. He was recently named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist for the Upper Midwest program.

Colin Williams, Children's Television Wiz

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:06:57 -0400

Northern Irish entrepreneur Colin Williams is the founder of Sixteen South, an award-winning children’s television production company based in Belfast. As Sixteen South’s executive producer and creative director, Williams heads the company’s development team and oversees its major productions. He began his career in the advertising industry and spent several years working in creative agencies in Belfast. His first business was a post-production company called Inferno, which produced high quality animation, film, and interactive content for museums; television commercials; and promos. While Inferno turned out to be a successful venture, Williams was unhappy that the work the company did was all about “selling stuff to people who didn’t want to buy it.”

After seeing an ad to pitch to New York-based Sesame Workshop to produce a local version of its popular show Sesame Street, Williams founded Sixteen South as a side project – and landed the deal. “I wanted to create content that would make a difference and be seen, enjoyed, and remembered in years to come. Children’s television was exactly that,” he says.

Following the success of Sesame Tree, the UK’s version of Sesame Street, Sixteen South created Big City Park, a live action and puppet show that aims to get children outside and rediscover nature. Shot on location in Belfast’s Ormeau Park, Big City Park was co-produced with BBC Scotland. Sixteen South has since produced three more shows – Big and Small, Pajanimals, and Driftwood Bay – and picked up several accolades for its programs, including Hugo Television Awards, Cine Golden Eagles, an IFTA award, and Emmy nominations.

The company itself has been recognized for its contribution to children’s television – Sixteen South won the Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Star award in 2011 and 2012, and is ranked among the UK’s top indie producers by Televisual magazine. Since its inception in 2008, Sixteen South has produced over 200 episodes of premium children’s television for broadcasters worldwide, including the BBC, Sprout, Nickelodeon, and ABC Australia.

Jessica Jackley, Social Entrepreneur and Kiva Co-Founder

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 22:57:22 -0400

Social entrepreneur Jessica Jackley’s passion lies in creating innovative ways for other entrepreneurs to access the resources they need to succeed, including capital and supportive communities. In 2005, she co-founded non-profit organization Kiva, the world’s first peer-to-peer microlending website dedicated to alleviating poverty around the world. For as little as $25, Internet users can help individual entrepreneurs launch or expand a small business. One of the fastest-growing social benefit websites in history, Kiva has facilitated nearly $440 million in loans since its inception. Jackley served as Kiva’s chief marketing officer before co-founding and heading ProFounder, a pioneering crowdfunding platform for small business entrepreneurs in the US. When ProFounder merged with GOOD in early 2012, Jackley took on the role of GOOD’s first entrepreneur in residence. Currently, she is a venture partner at the Collaborative Fund and a visiting practitioner at Stanford’s Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society.

Jackley has taught entrepreneurship at Drew University and the USC Marshall School of Business. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, she has served on the boards of several organizations supporting microfinance, tech, women, and the arts, including Allowance for Good, International Museum of Women, Opportunity International, Global Health Corps, Upstart, and more. Jackley has also worked in public, private, and non-profit organizations such as World Vision, the Village Enterprise Fund, and the Stanford Center for Social Innovation, among others. A 2011 Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, she has received the Economist’s 2011 No Boundaries Innovation Award and was named to Fast Company’s League of Extraordinary Women for 2012.

Jackley obtained her BA in philosophy and political science from Bucknell University and MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She also holds an honorary PhD from Centenary College. During her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga and surfing.

Dr. Ivan Misner, the Father of Modern Networking

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 22:54:22 -0400

Dubbed the “Networking Guru” by Entrepreneur magazine and the “Father of Modern Networking” by CNN, Dr. Ivan Misner is the founder and chairman of BNI, the world’s largest business networking company. Established in 1985, the organization has 6,200 chapters across the globe and generated more than 7 million referrals for its members in the previous year alone.

A PhD graduate from the University of Southern California, Dr. Misner is considered one of the world’s top experts on business networking. He is a New York Times bestselling author, a keynote speaker for major corporations worldwide, and a monthly columnist for Entrepreneur.com and Fox Business News. Dr. Misner has taught business management at various US universities as well.

In addition to heading BNI, Dr. Misner serves as senior partner at the Referral Institute, sits on the board of trustees of the University of La Verne, and leads the BNI Foundation, a charity he started with his wife Beth in 1998. The BNI Foundation’s mission is to give children around the world quality education.

Dr. Nido Qubein: A Life of Earning, Learning, and Serving

Thu, 30 May 2013 23:57:20 -0400

A man who wears many hats, Dr. Nido Qubein came to the United States as a teenager with only $50 and speaking little English. Today, he is a successful educator, businessman, speaker, and author, among other things.

In January 2005, Dr. Qubein became the seventh president of High Point University (HPU), a liberal arts institution with campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Under his leadership, HPU saw significant academic growth, bringing in more students and faculty as well as increasing its campus acreage. Dr. Qubein is also chairman of Great Harvest Bread Company, a bakery franchise with 220 stores in 43 states. Additionally, he serves on the executive committee and board of financial institution BB&T, the corporate board of furniture retailer La-Z-Boy Corporation, and the board of fashion chain Dots Stores.

Prior to heading HPU, Dr. Qubein served as chairman of a consulting firm. He continues to work with some of the country’s best corporate leaders today, sharing his extensive business background to help their companies grow and succeed. Dr. Qubein also imparts his knowledge through speeches and books, having given over 5,000 presentations since 1974. He speaks about a broad range of topics, from branding to time management, and has received the highest awards in professional speaking, including the Speakers Hall of Fame, the Cavett, and Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel Medal. Dr. Qubein has authored over a dozen books and recorded audio-visual programs about sales, leadership, communication, and more.

A recipient of High Point’s Philanthropist of the Year honor, Dr. Qubein has chaired several campaigns to assist non-profits as well as awarded scholarships to students across the country through the Qubein Foundation. Over the years, he has served on more than 30 voluntary boards, including the National Board of American Humanics and the High Point Community Foundation. Dr. Qubein is a former board member of the YMCA and is chairman emeritus of the National Speakers Association Foundation.

Chrissy Crust: Consulting Services Especially for Small and Micro Businesses

Thu, 30 May 2013 23:52:23 -0400

Having worked closely with several businesses in the food, hospitality, and retail industries for more than three decades, entrepreneur and business expert Chrissy Crust noticed how smaller businesses were being neglected. Thus, she recently launched Chrissy Crust Consulting to help small and micro businesses and social enterprises succeed. Her specialized services include business planning and cash flow management, because a lot of business owners have difficulty writing a business plan or managing their finances, she says. According to Crust, having a good framework and finances are critical to success.

“Often you’re working in your business, and not enough time working on your business,” adds Crust. “This is where I can help.” Because she’s a startup business owner herself, Crust understands what her clients are going through. Chrissy Crust Consulting currently holds monthly workshops, where entrepreneurs can learn more about business and find support from other like-minded individuals. Crust says it’s important for business owners to have a support group and believe in themselves.

Reinier Evers, Professional Trend Watcher

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:35:26 -0400

Entrepreneur, presenter, and trend watcher Reinier Evers is the founder of trendwatching.com, an independent consumer trend firm with offices in London, Singapore, and Sao Paulo. Evers’ fascination with online business began in 1994 after being introduced to the web at New York University, where he obtained his degree in business policy. He also holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Amsterdam, and honed his trend spotting and business research skills, among others, while managing a team of analysts and strategists at interactive agency Agency.com.

Currently, trendwatching.com attracts over 150,000 visitors per month and sends its monthly Trend Briefings to 160,000 business professionals in more than 180 countries around the world. A much sought-after keynote speaker, Evers has presented at online industry events, conferences, and workshops in Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and South America. Furthermore, he has been featured as a trend expert in various publications, including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Time Magazine.

Murray Koffler: The Man Who Transformed the Canadian Retail Pharmacy Industry

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:32:59 -0400

Pharmacist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Murray Koffler is best known for starting Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada’s largest retail drugstore chain and leading provider of pharmacy products and services. Koffler founded Shoppers Drug Mart in 1962 with a mission to build a national organization of pharmacies that still offered the personalized service of a local community pharmacist. He introduced the associate concept, allowing pharmacists to own a business, practice professionally, and provide cooperative services under a single, trusted brand. When the first Shoppers Drug Mart location opened in Toronto, Ontario, the Canadian retail drug industry was never the same again – the innovative store brought together mass merchandising and self-service under one roof in a retail pharmacy format.

Today, there are more than 1,240 Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Quebec) stores across the country. Shoppers Drug Mart owns and operates other retail and specialty stores as well, including Shoppers Simply Pharmacy, retail pharmacies located in medical clinics or buildings; Murale, a luxury beauty destination; Shoppers Home Health Care, which sells and services assisted living devices, home care products, and medical and mobility equipment; Specialty Health Network, a provider of specialty pharmacy services; and MediSystem Pharmacy, a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities.

Koffler is also the founder of the Council on Drug Abuse (CODA), a charity whose mission is to prevent substance abuse in children and youth through education programs. A pharmacy graduate of the University of Toronto, Koffler funded the construction of the university’s Koffler Institute for Pharmacy Management. Additionally, he donated an equestrian estate that later became the Koffler Scientific Reserve, a biodiversity and conservation biology research and education site.

A recipient of the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award, Koffler has been inducted into the Marketing Hall of Legends and the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.

Lise Luttgens Leads the Girl Scouts of Greater LA to New Heights

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:08:06 -0400

The first CEO of the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA), Lise L. Luttgens assumed the role in late 2008 following the merger of six Los Angeles area legacy Girl Scout councils. Since then, she has focused her time and efforts on building a strong and effective council that serves its young and adult members. To accomplish this, Luttgens brought together a highly talented group of internal managers and board of directors, prioritized fiscal responsibility, and placed emphasis on forming relationships within the community.

Further, Luttgens strives to raise awareness about the new inspiring Girl Scouts experience, which GSGLA delivers by offering a wide range of programs that appeal to nearly every interest of young girls. The council works to create unique opportunities for girls in LA, particularly those in underserved areas. The largest non-profit agency that caters to girls in Los Angeles County, GSGLA serves over 350 diverse communities and roughly 40,000 Girl Scouts throughout the greater Los Angeles area. In 2010, the council launched “50 in 5,” an initiative to grow its membership to 50,000 in 5 years.

Prior to joining GSGLA, Luttgens served as principal of Luttgens & Associates, Inc., an executive coaching and consulting firm she founded. From 2003 to 2005, she held the position of COO of the Fulfillment Fund. Luttgens spent almost 30 years of her career as a hospital administrator and has fulfilled key roles at the UCLA Medical Center, the Doheny Eye Hospital, the Doheny Eye Institute at the USC-Keck School of Medicine, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

For eight years, Luttgens served as vice president of the board of trustees of the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. In 2012, she was nominated as Rising Star of the Year and CEO of the Year for the LA Business Journal’s Women Making a Difference Awards.

Patricia Smith, Compassion Fatigue Specialist

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:03:00 -0400

Many caregivers forget to care for themselves. When this happens, destructive behaviors such as apathy, bottled up emotions, isolation, and substance abuse can rise to the surface and lead to compassion fatigue, also known as secondary traumatic stress disorder. This is why journalist and certified compassion fatigue specialist Patricia Smith founded the Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project and Healthy Caregiving. With a mission to raise awareness about compassion fatigue and its effect on caregivers, Smith is committed to providing caregivers worldwide with the latest information, materials, and strategies about healthy and authentic self-care.

With over 20 years of training experience in compassion fatigue, Smith writes, speaks, and hosts educational workshops for caregivers of all types. She is also currently the caregiving expert for Spry Living. Smith has written training manuals and books on healthy caregiving. Her first book, To Weep for a Stranger, details the causes and symptoms of compassion fatigue and includes guidelines for beginning the healing process.

Senior-Level Health Care Executive Cástulo de la Rocha

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:26:40 -0400

If the definition of an entrepreneur is creating success where none existed or filling an unfilled niche, Cástulo de la Rocha could be considered an entrepreneur of his own life. When he arrived in the United States from Mexico at age 11, he was in many ways a blank slate, with no formal education. In the next seven years of the turbulent 1960s, he attended public school and received an education on social justice and the lack thereof, with Latinos in East Los Angeles protesting such unfair treatment as inadequate housing, a lack of health care options, poor education, and police brutality. The lessons stuck with Cástulo, and he determined to make things better.

He joined AltaMed Health Services Corporation on a temporary basis in 1977 and only 3 months later became President and CEO. The company operated a clinic in East L.A. with volunteer physicians, nurses, and social workers and had three paid employees. The AltaMed system now includes more than 40 clinics and senior-care centers throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties in Southern California. Cástulo de la Rocha has grown the services to include medical, dental, and long-term care as well as substance-abuse treatment, youth services, HIV/AIDS care, health education, and other programs.

The boy with no formal education grew into a man who earned an undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a law degree at Berkeley School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. He also completed the Executive Directors Management Training Seminar Series at California State University, Northridge, and received a Certificate in Management from Stanford University. For more than 30 years, Cástulo de la Rocha has chaired the Community Advisory Committee of the Estelle Doheny Eye Institute; acted as California State Coordinator of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC); and served as Secretary of the Los Angeles Regional Family Planning Council. His numerous recognitions include a 2011 induction into the Grassroots Hall of Fame of the NACHC.

David Jacobs, Champion Skier and Founder of Spyder

Tue, 07 May 2013 23:24:50 -0400

Former competitive skier and Spyder founder David Jacobs began skiing when he was 13. At age 21, he won the Quebec Kandahar, Canada’s ski equivalent to the Superbowl. A few years later, he earned the title of Canadian Downhill Ski Champion and joined the Canadian National Ski Team. During the spring of 1964, Jacobs went on a skiing trip in France with his friends in the French national team and witnessed firsthand the power and depth of an organized, politically supported national team. He suggested a similar program to the Canadian Amateur Ski Association, and as it turned out, the organization was looking for a way to combine education with athletics. Jacobs was hired to launch the program, and from 1964 to 1966, he served as the first full-time head coach and program administrator for the Canadian National Ski Team.

An avid sportsman with an entrepreneurial spirit, Jacobs stayed connected to the sport of skiing by entering into several related business ventures. From 1966 to 1969, he functioned as president of Lange-Jacobs, Inc., the maker of Lange plastic ski boots in Montreal. Following the company’s merger with Lange USA, Jacobs moved to Boulder, Colorado and sat on the board of directors and served as the company’s vice president for three years.

In 1972, Jacobs founded The Jacobs Corporation, which made children’s ski clothing and adult bicycle wear and accessories. After selling The Jacobs Corporation, he started David L. Jacobs, Inc. in 1977. Initially, the small mail order business only offered race sweaters. With the success of the race sweaters, Jacobs added ski pants to the catalog. Skiers began calling one of his early designs “spider pants” due to their appearance, and Jacobs changed the company’s name to Spyder in 1978. He grew the brand and led its global expansion. Today, Spyder is the largest ski specialty brand in the world.

Over the years, Jacobs has been recognized for his contributions to skiing and business. His accolades include being inducted into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame, the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame, and the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame.

Trident Research: Specialized Military Instrumentation

Tue, 07 May 2013 23:21:17 -0400

Having spent more than a decade working for a US Navy research laboratory, Miguel Cardoza knows firsthand the personal satisfaction that comes from developing and fielding instrumentation for the Department of Defense. However, he noticed that his previous working environment emphasized creativity but neglected engineering discipline and product focus, so he founded Trident Research in 2001.

Named after the FBM Trident missile program, Trident Research is an applied science and systems engineering firm that focuses on both innovation and engineering discipline. With over 30 years of experience in science and engineering, the Austin-based company specializes in the design, development, and fielding of specialized military test instrumentation systems. Over the years, Trident scientists and engineers have delivered numerous tactical systems for government and private organizations.

As a privately held company, Trident Research measures success not by its bottom line but by its reputation for engineering excellence and by the personal growth and satisfaction of its employees.

Martin E. Segal, Benefits Expert and Civic Leader

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:58:12 -0400

Headquartered in New York City, The Segal Company is a leading benefits, compensation, and human resources consultancy founded by Martin E. Segal in 1939. During and after World War II, Segal played a key role in the creation and establishment of health and pension benefits for employees, leading him to be recognized as an authority on health insurance, pension, and collectively bargained programs. He wrote a column for the Associated Press, helped form the Judicial Survivor’s Annuity Plan, and helped start The Public Interest, a quarterly publication about domestic social and economic issues. Segal served as The Segal Company’s president until 1967, as chairman from 1967 to 1991, and as chairman emeritus until his passing in 2012.

Segal was also very active in civic matters, serving on the National Board of the National Urban League, the Board of Hospitals in the City of New York, and the Board of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. In addition, he was the first chairman of the Advisory Commission for Cultural Affairs of the City of New York and functioned as a board member for several other cultural and educational organizations.

John T. Becker, Eurpac Founder and Notable Community Member

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:55:13 -0400

Michigan native John T. Becker joined the US Navy after graduating from Michigan State University in 1942 and commanded a US Navy patrol craft in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. Following his return to civilian life, Becker founded Eurpac in 1951 in Paris, France, and subsequently led the company for the next 59 years. Now headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, Eurpac has become one of the leading sales, marketing, and logistics firms serving the military market.

Under Becker’s guidance, Eurpac expanded into several channels, including delicatessens and bakeries, prerecorded entertainment, exchanges, commissaries, and civilian retail projects in both Europe and America. But the accomplishment that Becker was most proud of was the employee profit sharing and employee stock ownership programs he started. He always believed in the premise, “empower your fellow employees to achieve, and they will,” and built his company on that.

Today, Eurpac’s divisions include Dunham & Smith, Eurpac Fulfillment Services, Mid-Valley Products, Eurpac Warehouse Sales, Specialized Marketing International, and Enhanced Information Services. The company distributes and represents major brands to military customers at bases around the world, providing a wide range of products and services that encompass fulfillment, advertising, retail space management, business intelligence, and award-winning supply chain management.

In addition to being a respected business leader, Becker was a prominent member of his community in Greenwich, Connecticut. In the 1960s, he purchased the local radio station to keep his town informed. Becker was a member of the Harpoon Club; attended the monthly “townies dinner;” and supported the Greenwich Family YMCA, Greenwich Historical Society, United Way of Greenwich, and many other local organizations. He and his wife were the founding benefactors of Eurpac’s John & Sheila Becker Scholarship Program as well. The Greenwich community looked up to Becker, and local press called him a “major part of the fabric of the town.”

Dale Swanson: Aluminium Industry Innovator and Dedicated Philanthropist

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:29:20 -0400

Headquartered in Spokane Valley, Washington, with 66 locations in 31 countries around the world, Pyrotek is a leading international company specializing in the development, production, and sale of high-temperature materials for industrial applications. Founded by Dale Swanson in 1956, Pyrotek is now a recognized leader in the global aluminium industry, providing innovative solutions for the refining, melting, processing, and casting of molten aluminium. The privately owned company also serves the foundry, zinc, steel, glass, hearth, and sound insulation industries with a diverse range of technical products, integrated processing systems, and consulting services.

The story of Pyrotek started with a single idea – using fiberglass fabric technology, Swanson designed a filter to catch impurities in molten aluminium. Today, his filtration system is an international standard. Together with business partner Allan Roy, Swanson grew Pyrotek from a small filter sewing operation to a worldwide corporation.

Swanson was also a devoted philanthropist, supporting both global and local organizations such as Conservation International, the Nature Conservancy, and the Community Colleges of Spokane.

Industry Leader Dr. Roger Levin Helps Fellow Dentists Grow Their Practices

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:26:38 -0400

A third generation general dentist, Roger P. Levin, DDS, always knew that he would follow in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps and become a dentist. After graduating from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1982, he joined his father, Dr. Jules Levin, in practice, working full-time with patients and learning how a successful dental office operated. With a keen interest in the business of dentistry, he began writing articles for journals, realizing that dental schools tend to neglect the financial, marketing, and management aspects of operating a practice.

Seeing the “missing link” that was preventing his fellow dentists and specialists from increasing practice production, Dr. Levin founded consulting firm Levin Group in 1985 and subsequently began publishing a newsletter called Modern Dental Practice. He also wrote book-length manuscripts and advised dentists about how to upgrade their business systems. By the early ’90s, the growing consulting business moved from a small back office at the Levin dental practice to a separate office space. It was also around this time that Dr. Levin decided to devote his career to helping other dentists achieve professional success.

Today, Levin Group is the largest dental practice consulting firm in the world. Dr. Levin, who serves as chairman and CEO of the company, has developed scientific, high-performance systems exclusively for dentists, enabling practices to increase production and profitability while reducing stress. Since its inception, Levin Group has provided consulting services for over 21,000 dental practices.

A past recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, Dr. Levin is a keynote speaker at dental conferences and presents more than 100 seminars worldwide every year. He currently serves as the managing editor of Dental Business Review and the practice management editor of Compendium, as well as sits on the editorial boards of five major dental publications. In the past, Dr. Levin functioned as chairman of the National Museum of Dentistry and served on the board of advisors of the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine.

Dominican University President Donna M. Carroll Focuses on Quality Education

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:35:55 -0400

In 1994, Donna M. Carroll was appointed as Dominican University’s first lay president. At 39 years of age, she also became one of the youngest university presidents in the United States. Under her leadership, enrollment at the private Catholic university doubled, the operating budget more than tripled, and a satellite campus was added. US News & World Report ranks Dominican as one of the top 20 Midwest regional universities, as well as a “best value” Illinois college.

Originally trained to be a therapist, Carroll quickly realized that counseling was not the career path for her – it was too lonely and didn’t satisfy her need for control. On the other hand, she thrived on leadership and organization, saying she was hooked the first time she led a strategic plan. Named one of Crain’s “Women to Watch in 2010,” Carroll was recently honored at the Womenetics 2013 POW! Awards in Chicago.

World Wide Technology's David L. Steward, Committed Business and Civic Leader

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:30:26 -0400

The winner of the 2012 Black Engineer of the Year Award, David L. Steward is the founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, Inc. (WWT), the largest African American-owned company in the United States. A leading systems integrator that delivers innovative technology and supply chain solutions to the commercial, telecom, and government sectors, WWT specializes in data center and virtualization; cloud capabilities; mobility and networking; security; and voice, video, and collaboration technologies.

Founded in 1990, WWT began as a small startup with 4,000 square feet of office space. Today, the Maryland Heights, Missouri-based company employs more than 1,700 people and operates several offices and facilities around the globe. One of the leading Cisco partners in North America, WWT distributes products from over 3,000 manufacturers worldwide and works closely with industry leaders such as HP, Microsoft, Citrix, NetApp, Dell, and more. Last year, the company debuted at no. 50 on Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. This year, WWT moved up to no. 24.

As chairman of the board of World Wide Technology, Steward’s main focus is developing strategic customer, employee, and supplier relationships. Steward is an esteemed civic leader in the St. Louis area as well, having served as chairman of the board of directors for the United Way of Greater St. Louis from 2006 to 2008. At present, he serves on the boards and committees of various organizations, including the University of Missouri School System, the Harris-Stowe State University African American Business Leadership Council, and the Greater St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has also donated $1 million to the National Museum of the United States Army to sponsor the institution’s “Reflecting and Changing the Face of America” exhibit.

Prior to starting WWT, Steward spent his early career working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, Federal Express, and Wagner Electric. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in business management from Central Missouri State University and received honorary Doctors of Humane Letters from Harris-Stowe State University and Lindenwood University in 2002.

Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Mobile Communications Leader and Trailblazer

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:22:33 -0400

2013 Edison Achievement Award recipient Dr. Paul E. Jacobs is chairman of the board and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated, a global semiconductor company that makes and markets digital wireless telecom products and services. Dr. Jacobs joined the company in 1990 as a development engineer and later became vice president and general manager of the combined handset and integrated circuit division. An innovative leader in the field of mobile communications, he holds over 45 patents for his inventions in wireless technology and devices. Dr. Jacobs oversaw Qualcomm’s efforts to develop and commercialize mobile technology breakthroughs, including the first Palm OS-based smartphone, the integration of GPS in mobile phones, and VoIP system QChat.

Dr. Jacobs obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and doctorate in electrical engineering from UC Berkeley. In addition to his roles at Qualcomm, he serves as chairman of the US-Korea Business Council and the advisory board of UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering.