Business Education Committee

Finishing Strong education advocates assists parents, teachers, and school officials resolve student academic challenges so that they are able to experience progress and growth in school. Dr. Val Lyons is founder and CEO of Finishing Strong, L.L.C. a consulting firm dedicated to improving academic success, enhancing parent/educator team building engagement and driving unparalleled business results. Dr. Val is a Health Psychologist, Registered Nurse, Educational Advocate, Certified Paralegal and trained mediator. She holds a Ph.D., in Philosophy specializing in Health Psychology. Additionally, Dr. Val and has over 30 years of experience as a registered nurse including caring for inpatient and outpatient child, teens and adults in hospital-based in mental health care.

Experienced entrepreneur and business professional, known for outstanding interpersonal skills and high energy. Possesses more than 25 years of leadership experience and team building. Exemplifies strong ability to work and communicate effectively with internal and external customers to ensure the best interaction possible at all times. Innovative, results driven work ethic continues to be a personal core value.

I have been in the printing industry for over 19 years helping businesses and non profits market and grow their organizations.  It is a family owned franchise which simply means your success is important to our success and we have a franchise to help guide us through an everchanging industry.  I, personally, love working with people striving to grow their business, whether it  be needing the right form for their operations, that perfect marketing handout, or a direct mail campaign to showcase a new event or product.  It all matters and we can assist with it all.  Our specialties are printing, copying, graphic design, mailers, promotional products, and large format banners and signage.  If we don't have the solution your business needs, we can often assist you in finding it.  

Persimmon Woods is a fully private club located less than 10 minutes from Chesterfield Valley, featuring great golf, dining and social events. The club is available for receptions and outings.

Kurt D. Zoeller, founder of Zoeller Asset Management, provides comprehensive advice and counsel to individuals, families and business owners by creating unique and personalized wealth management plans.  It’s because of Kurt’s clients that his passion and enthusiasm for his practice continue to grow daily.
Outside of work, Mr. Zoeller enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife Johanna met as students at the University of Notre Dame, and they have been married for over 25 years. They have a son Joshua and a daughter Jacqueline. Mr. Zoeller’s hobbies include sports, music and travel. An avid runner, he has completed 6 marathons around the United States. Training for a marathon requires a disciplined plan, and Kurt brings this same steadfast approach to the relationships he builds with his clients and their families.

 

Cindy facilitates Vistage private advisory groups in the St. Louis area for CEOs, business owners, key executives and trusted advisors.   She takes a targeted and no-nonsense approach to solving problems, leveraging opportunities, and achieving profitable results.....and leads others to do the same.

Counselor trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy) as well as other modalities designed to help people, of all ages, with anxiety, depression, trauma.    

Lynne Hart is a Managing Partner at Intrinsic Real Estate Group, brokered by eXp Realty, a real estate services organization located in St. Louis Metro (including Illinois), Houston, San Antonio, and soon expanding to several other cities!  

The Intrinsic team specializes in residential real estate, including both single family residential and working with investors.  In addition to multifamily rental property (all sizes), AirBnb Operation, and renovating properties personally, Lynne specializes in working with investors doing the same. 

Jim Mosquera is a published author of fiction and non-fiction and a business professional operating Sentinel Consulting.  

Sentinel Consulting is a business financing and debt restructuring firm.  He also operates the economic and financial website called The Sentinel. He contributes financial and economic articles to various publications.

My name is Jake Schuchardt, Director of Admissions, at Barat Academy. We are the ONLY school in the St. Louis/St. Charles area with single gender classes on a co-ed campus. With small class sizes, students receive the direct attention on a daily basis to help them be the best students they can be. With a two activity requirement, students have the opportunity to participate in sports they have never played, act in a play, or be a part of the robotics team with no fear of cuts. The environment at Barat Academy allows students to explore their own individual gifts, talents, and passions, all while feeling safe to be who they were created to be! Serving grades 6-12 Barat Prep and Barat Academy want to be the place where your students can fly higher than they ever imagined. FLY EAGLES FLY!!!!

I am an author, podcast host and customer satisfaction enthusiast. I live with my wife of 36 years (Monica) in Saint Charles. We have two daughter and two grandchildren all residing in St. Charles County. I love God, my family, running, the USA and the creative exercise of doing business. 

Patricia is a licensed Career Counselor with over 20 years of corporate marketing and business development experience. With ten years in higher education at Washington University in St. Louis, working with early stage professionals, she now works with individuals through all stages of career planning and transition. She holds a BS in Marketing, an MBA as well as a M.Ed in Community Counseling. Patricia's combined life and work experience helps her listen to and develop her clients' skills, talents and interests.

I am the Branch Manager are our Clayton and 141 Woods Mill Location; I have  been with U S Bank for 7 years and counting. I enjoy being able to make Small business and Consumer Lending a strong focus with my clients. I want to be able to save them money and time. Community engagement is key to the success of our branches in the chesterfield market.

Rachel McCalla realized event planning was her calling at the age of seventeen, after she produced her high school’s homecoming carnival that drew more than 20,000 people. From weddings to fundraisers, Rachel has created, planned, and designed events professionally for more than 20 years. She has coordinated more than 800 events in her career.

Rachel launched not one but two successful businesses in 2006. Lucky You Productions provided event planning and also floral design. Former clients include LouFest, St. Louis Fashion Week, First Night in Grand Centre, Alive Magazine, and St. Louis Pride among others. She has a Bachelor’s of English Literature and a Writing Certificate from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and studied design and color theory at UCLA. She is also a trained florist and recently received her Wedding and Design Certificate from the Event Leadership Institute. 

I have a proven record of recruiting top talent and students in construction, professional, light industrial and higher education settings. To achieve this I have continuously worked on building a relationship with my recruits, while presenting information about opportunities in an upbeat manner. Known for my high energy, multi task ability, motivational and organizational skills I have several additional tasks, outside of recruitment, that I am also responsible for, such as building partnerships with businesses within the community to provide their employees with higher education and career opportunities. 

AIM Training and Consulting is in the business of creating breakthroughs in sales, confidence, personal power, and business revenue growth.  Amy Lemire, President and CEO implements “the Sales Confidence Code" - todays sales skills combined with performance mindset habits to accelerate sales excellence.  She is a master at team DNA through Sales Training, Coaching, and Consulting Services.  Her books include “From Zero to Sales Hero,” and “From Zero to Speaker Hero.”  Amy began her journey as a Sales Strategist, Trainer, and Speaker over 27 years ago.  Amy was a top sales performer and sales trainer in the medical device industry.  She is a Habitfinder Coach certified through the Og Mandino Leadership Institute.  A DTM, Distinguished Toastmaster, Member of the National Speakers Association, and NSA St Louis Chapter President-elect 2022.   

Hi!

My name is Grace Murray, and I'm the Club Event Coordinator for Old Hickory Golf Club. I love putting together weddings, showers, company parties, or any other kind of celebration! When I'm not working you can find me playing Dungeons & Dragons, hiking with my border collie, or watching live music. 

Shoot me an email if you or anyone you know would like to book a space at Old Hickory!

 

I was born in the UK and now living in the USA. I am a professional digital marketer, business startup and traffic strategy consultant, trainer, and best-selling author of 3 books. I love to travel & extremely passionate about helping people of all ages to achieve their dreams.
 
Hello, I'm Nigel Lear, Business Owner of True Products Network LLC, which includes True Products Marketing and Missouri SEO Agency as well as a certified consultant in "Thinking Into Results". We help small and local business owners build successful online businesses with a focus on increasing their digital traffic, sales conversions, and business profit.

Hi, Im Mark I'm a territory manager for Maverick SoftWash here in St.Louis. The Chesterfield area is my territory to work and farm for leads! 

Soft washing is an alternative choice to pressure/power washing that does not utilize damaging high pressure. Soft washing extensively cleans up surface areas and also kills the bacteria that are the root origin of discoloration on roofing systems and various other structure surfaces.

My mission is to provide you the highest quality full service real estate experience.  I have a 30 year proven successful sales track history.  I am here to assist you from start to finish, with as little stress as possible.  I will exceed your expectations with utmost professionalism, integrity and commitment to excellence!  Your real estate needs are my number one priority!

"Let me make your Real Estate dreams a REality"
Coldwell Banker Realty-Gundaker
 

Director of Entrepreneurial Leadership supporting the university and the regional startup ecosystem.

Next Level Golf at The Golf Academy Plus is an indoor climate controlled golf facility with 7 virtual simulators, PUTT LAB and launch monitors. Putting and chipping area for short game practice as well. Individual and group lessons as well as corporate memberships with club fitting and sales on site. Tee Shotz Bar & Bistro inside NLG@TGAP has a full bar and great menu to enhance your golfing experience. 

My name is Justin Francik and I am on the commercial lending team at Central Bank of St. Louis. I have been with the Bank for 5+ years in both underwriting and lending roles. I'm passionate about helping businesses in our community with lending and financial needs. 

Regional Dermatology is the private practice of Dr. Sarah Jensen. After years working in academia, Dr. Jensen opened Regional Dermatology South in Festus, Missouri in 2010. She has since opened a second location in Chesterfield and expanded her practice to include integrative care in dermatology. A double board certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, Dr. Jensen completed Learnskin's Integrative Dermatology Certificate Program which allows her to practice allopathic dermatology alongside science-backed integrative study. She enjoys complex medical and surgical dermatology. Her undergraduate training in Visual Arts at Scripps College allows her a unique aesthetic when working in cosmetic dermatology.