2011 Keynote Speaker: David L. Steward
David L. Steward founded World Wide Technology, Inc. (WWT) in 1990 with just 4,000 square feet of office space, tremendous perseverance and the desire to distribute computer hardware, software and services to the Federal Government. Under Steward’s leadership, WWT has grown from a small start-up to the leading supplier of advanced technology solutions to the U.S. Government, offering products from over 3,000 manufactures around the world. Headquarters in St. Louis, with over 1,200 employees, along with more than 1.5 million-plus sq. ft. of facilities, WWT now ranks as one of the leading Cisco partners in North America and is a world-class organization approaching $3 billion in revenue with offices around the globe.
With over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Steward spends the majority of his time with WWT developing strategic supplier, customer and employee relationships. He plays a key role in WWT’s pursuit of large contract bids within its industry specific operating companies. Steward also serves as Chairman of the Board for Telcobuy.com, an affiliate of WWT since 1997. Prior to starting WWT, Steward held various senior level management positions with Wagner Electric, Missouri Pacific Railroad and Federal Express Corporation. Steward holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Central Missouri State University. In addition, Steward was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2002 by Harris Stowe State University.
World Wide Technology believes that a critical component of the strength of a community is the commitment that is resident businesses show towards that community. This belief is the foundation of WWT’s proactive involvement to the community and the reason Steward maintains longstanding commitments to an array of philanthropic organizations. Steward is in his second year of serving as the President of the Board of Directors of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis. He also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater St. Louis from 2006 through 2008. Steward received the National Urban League’s 2008 Business Pioneer Award; the St. Louis County Economic Council 2008 Dr. William D. Phillips Technology Award, presented to businesses and individuals applying science and technology to advance St. Louis’ global competitiveness and individual quality of life; and was also honored to write the Foreword for the 2007-2008 edition of Who’s Who in Black St. Louis.
In addition, Steward serves on numerous committees and boards, including Civic Progress of St. Louis; the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association; The Regional Business Council; Webster University; St. Louis Science Center; United Way of Greater St. Louis Executive Committee; The Greater St. Louis Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, Harris-Stowe State University African American Business Leadership Council and more. Steward is well-known for applying his strong faith to business. In 2004, Steward published: DOING BUSINESS BY THE GOOD BOOK: Fifty-two Lessons on Success, Straight from the Bible with foreword written by former President George H.W. Bush. Steward also had the honor of hosting former President George W. Bush at WWT headquarters in May 2008 to present a global economic speech.
A devoted family man, Dave and his wife of 34 years, Thelma, have two adult children, David II and Kimberly.
A little more about our Program...
Youth Excited about Sports is a Warrensburg youth sports organization dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of sports by incorporating Christian values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, cooperation, fair-play, and character-building all the while teaching youth to have fun in sports. Our vision is to create an atmosphere where kids love to play the game and learn life-long lessons in the classroom of sporting fields. Our focus is on the youth teaching them, coaching them, encouraging them, building them, and mentoring them.
We really need your help at this critical time in our program. We need your help to share the joy and love with our children and youth using sports as a platform. We try to maintain low registration fees for the quality program that we run. However affording uniform, equipment, and program fees is harder and harder for our average family with two or three children involved. Worse yet, fees keep many more youth and families out of our program. Our sports program MUST NOT be reduced to availability "only for the rich" and yet we are allowing as many with waivers as we possibly can at this time. John 3:16 says, ". . . whosoever believes . . ." This open invitation is foundational to the church. How can it not apply to a "Christian sports ministry?" Jesus Christ himself said, in no uncertain words, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me . . ." (Matthew 19:14). I cannot accept that our Lord had meant all the children except the poor, disadvantaged youth.
Y.E.S. has kept up with demands well but we are facing an increasing amount of pressure because of program, equipment, and infrastructure needs. Please consider coming to this Gala and supporting the youth of the area. We need your one-time gift, your ongoing support, or anything that you can do to help us share Jesus in a BIG way with the at-risk and disadvantaged group of youth in the Warrensburg area and their families.
Youth Excited about Sports, Athletes in Action, and supporters from the community are helping to bring this message and opportunity to Warrensburg in order to assist in the generation of funding for the youth of our area! Your support and help is greatly appreciated for future sports such as baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, and bowling.
And Thank You, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting the youth sports programming in Warrensburg!
Serving the youth of the Warrensburg area with you,
O.J. Rhone
