A New CEO | Now Open: NGA St. Louis | Legislators Take the Field
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GSL Names Ron Kitchens New CEO
After an extensive national search, Greater St. Louis, Inc. today announced Ron Kitchens as its new Chief Executive Officer. Kitchens – a native of Ozark, Missouri – comes to GSL from Wichita Falls, Texas, where he serves as President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has more than three decades of economic development experience working with organizations in Michigan, Texas, Alabama, and Missouri.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ron back to Missouri and look forward to the impact he will have on the St. Louis region,” said Andrew C. Taylor, Executive Chairman of Enterprise Mobility and Founding Chair of GSL. “Ron is a proven leader who has the strategic vision, operational expertise, and deep passion required to lead Greater St. Louis, Inc. into our next chapter.”
The Bottom Line: Since its formation in 2021, GSL has worked to bring St. Louis’ business and civic communities together to drive inclusive economic growth. Kitchen’s leadership will help further that growth, building on recent wins to help the region take the next step. “St. Louis is near and dear to my heart, and I am excited to play a role in building a prosperous future for this region,” he said.
Now Open, NGA St. Louis Launches Next Phase of Geospatial Growth
NGA St. Louis is officially open.
In 2016, the announcement by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency that it was building its new, state-of-the-art headquarters in St. Louis spurred the growth of the region’s geospatial technology sector. Throughout the last decade, that announcement has helped put our region on the map as a global hub for geospatial.
Today, as local, state, and federal leaders gathered to cut the ribbon on the $1.7 billion facility, a new chapter of growth kicks off for our geospatial sector: the St. Louis region advances as a national leader, using geospatial technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges while creating jobs and driving investment and innovation here at home.
The Bottom Line: St. Louis’ geospatial sector was already known as a hub for technology, but NGA’s opening will catalyze our development as a global leader, ready to lead on everything from artificial intelligence to defense technology. And our geospatial sector is leading innovation at the intersection of geospatial and other critical sectors like agtech, advanced manufacturing, and biosciences.
This week, Greater St. Louis, Inc. brought investors together with Missouri and Illinois legislators for the Bi-State Softball Showdown, an annual, family-friendly softball game celebrating the spirit of the bi-state and bipartisan teamwork that powers the St. Louis region.
This year, the Missouri team led by Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins faced the Illinois’ team led by Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman. Missouri took home the win, but everyone enjoyed the view from the field at Busch Stadium.
The Bottom Line: Year after year, this event offers opportunity for connection, bringing legislators and leaders together in one of the region’s most iconic spaces. It’s a reminder that regional collaboration moves us forward.
At a rousing event this week, Missouri Historical Society President Jody Sowell told audiences, “We can’t use the past to build a better future if we don’t know our history.” His organization, a member of the GSL Investor Council, has launched the “I Am St. Louis” civic pride campaign, inviting individuals and organizations to use their own story to share their pride in St. Louis, know its history, and help shape the future of the region. >> Missouri Historical Society
Hispanic Heritage Month: Read about the contributions and culture of Hispanic Americans across the metro. >> theSTL.com
A $20.5 Million Impact
When the NCAA Men's Frozen Four skated into St. Louis this spring, the region scored on every level, reports the St. Louis Sports Commission. More than 80% of fans came from out of town, spending hundreds of dollars per day and taking home a new impression of St. Louis as fun, clean, beautiful, and safe. >> St. Louis Sports Commission
STLMade Build-A-Bear Workshop, a GSL Chair’s Council member, is one of the best performers in the stock market this year, with its stock price having grown 50% in 2025 and 2,000% over the past five years. President & CEO Sharon John attributes that growth to evolution and innovation, and the appeal the company has to millennials and their children. >> NBC Nightly News
With the Dream Big Foundation, Jorge Flores is making competitive soccer more accessible for kids in underserved communities across the St. Louis metro.
