Companies

Eight-course schedule provides students exposure to senior executives

Enterprise Bank & Trust’s highly acclaimed Enterprise University, a no-cost business education program available to local business leaders, has announced its summer weekly course schedule with topics geared toward college students. Courses cover a variety of business topics including strategy, marketing, business culture and more. 

Enterprise has helped shape area business leaders for more than 18 years, offering classes on a variety of business-related topics, which are designed to both challenge and energize participants. After a successful program kickoff last summer, this is the second year Enterprise University is offering classes specifically for college-age students. 

Enterprise University – College Edition courses will be held virtually and take place weekly on Wednesdays from June 9–Aug. 4. Each hour-long class will be taught by an Enterprise Bank & Trust executive or business partner. All courses are from 4-5 p.m. CDT. 

Topics are: 

• Making the Most of your Internship
• Strategy and Leadership
• An Effective M&A Strategy
• Marketing & Sales
• Human Resources and Corporate Culture
• Principles of Investment Management
• Leveraging LinkedIn™ in the Job Search
• Life After Your Internship

Students can elect to attend individual courses of interest or all eight. Classes are offered at no cost, but registration is required and limited. The full course schedule can be found at https://www.enterprisebank.com/eu-college.

Enterprise Bank & Trust is a financial services partner that empowers growing businesses to improve their ability to compete, growing families to secure their financial futures, and growing communities to advance the quality of life for all. The bank is built on trusted, personal relationships and offers a range of business and personal banking services, wealth management services and a variety of specialized banking services. Enterprise Financial Services Corp (NASDAQ: EFSC), with approximately $10.2 billion in assets, is a bank holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Enterprise Bank & Trust operates 39 branch offices in Arizona, California, Nevada, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. Member FDIC.

Enterprise University courses are taught by industry experts and focus on relevant business topics, including marketing, social media, sales, financial strategies, leadership training, employee management, employee benefits, succession planning and more. Enterprise University challenges business owners to think strategically and collectively supports a thriving business community by offering its courses to bank clients as well as nonclients – at no cost. For additional information about Enterprise University, visit www.enterprisebank.com/eu.

IMPACT Strategies has completed work on another project with Ameren Illinois, consisting of comprehensive exterior improvements to its Mt. Clare Operating Center. This project included the installation of 59,000 square-feet of new concrete pavement and 90,000 square-feet of new aggregate pavement for expanded parking and storage areas. New security lighting was installed throughout, along with security fencing with automated gate controls, and storm water piping improvements. IMPACT Strategies collaborated with civil engineers from Horner & Shifrin on this project which was on an accelerated timeline prior to the onset of winter.

“Our team pivoted with several different work methods around inclement weather to ensure we met the scheduling requirements of Ameren Illinois,” said Mark Hinrichs, President of IMPACT Strategies.

IMPACT’s innovative planning processes and collaborative methods are major contributing factors to the many successful projects they have completed for Ameren in both Illinois and Missouri.

IMPACT Strategies provides client-focused construction management, design/build, and general contracting services. The firm offers a full continuum of innovative design/build service capabilities including proven construction management processes and site development. IMPACT Strategies serves a regional and national client base in the Healthcare, Senior Living, Multifamily, Office, Retail, and Warehouse/Distribution markets. To learn more visit BuildwithIMPACT.com or call 618-394-8400 or 314-646-8400.

New funding will focus on supporting families facing financial hardship due to the pandemic

As the ongoing financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact families across the state, Ameren Missouri has worked with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) and Office of Public Counsel to direct an additional $3.5 million to help eligible customers.

“We want customers to know that Ameren Missouri is here to help, especially in times of critical need. These additional funds will support more customers as we head into summer, a time when electricity usage is typically much higher,” said Marty Lyons, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri.

Ameren Missouri will use the $3.5 million in three ways:

• $1.3 million will be used to create a new energy efficiency program for eligible low-income customers.
• $1 million will be distributed to help a network of local energy assistance agencies that distribute energy assistance funds to customers in need.
• $1.2 million will fund additional energy assistance programs throughout 2021.

For the first time, Ameren Missouri will distribute energy-efficiency products to 2,100 low-income customers across the state. These customers were identified based on a variety of need indicators and will be contacted directly by Ameren Missouri. Participating customers will receive a DIY home kit with a variety of energy-saving products worth up to $250.

The kits are designed for customers to install on their own, with an energy specialist on hand to answer questions and assist via phone. Once installed, the customer will be eligible for a one-time, $150 credit on their energy statement. Each kit will include a smart thermostat, LED bulbs, advanced power strip, aerators, pipe and window insulation, foam weather stripping and door corner pads.

“We appreciate the Missouri Office of Public Counsel working with us to make this important assistance available to those customers who have the greatest need, and the PSC approving the usage of these funds for these three purposes,” Lyons said.

Whether or not you qualify for the program, all customers can access many of the items in the DIY kits for a low cost at Amerenmissourisavings.com. This site also includes a $0 Sensi smart thermostat offer, which can help save up to $180 in energy costs each year.

Energy assistance is available to Ameren Missouri customers who need help paying their bills. Visit AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance to learn about various support options, including new and enhanced federally funded COVID-19 relief programs. Select programs are offering increased income eligibility, allowing more Missourians to receive help even if they didn’t qualify previously.

The state of Missouri recently announced expanded income eligibility for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Missouri households with an income of up to 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) are now eligible for LIHEAP. This change allows a family of four with an annual income of up to $51,021 to qualify for assistance, up from the previous annual income limit of $35,364. For detailed eligibility requirements and to apply online, visit myDSS.mo.gov/energy-assistance. 

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

Buying another construction firm can be an attractive way to grow your company’s revenue base. A merger or an acquisition can allow you to:

• Add a new subcontracting specialty,
• Acquire an experienced labor force to reach new markets, and
• Deepen your penetration into the market your firm already serves.

But there’s more to mergers and acquisitions than agreeing on a purchase price and signing the paperwork. For example, which employees should be made privy to the transaction? And how do you account for the purchase of your new division or subsidiary? Your legal, tax and accounting advisors can help you navigate the M&A process and employ the latest “best practices.”

Confidentiality

Buying another construction firm can be an exciting proposition. It may be tempting to spread the news that your firm is “in the market” for a merger or an acquisition. You might even think this will boost morale within your firm, because your employees will share in your sense of impending conquest and enthusiasm.

However, best practices in the M&A process caution against discussing your purchase intentions or any of the details of a pending buyout. This is true whether an offer has been made or accepted — or if the purchase is only in the planning stage.

Employees see mergers and acquisitions in a completely different light than owners and key executives. Employees might become afraid, spread rumors and gossip, and speculate about “what-if” scenarios. Even the slightest leak in the acquisition process can snowball into a huge time-waster for your employees and can cause a public relations nightmare. It might also cause unrest among suppliers, customers, lenders and bonding companies.

Accounting for the Purchase

While you might not share your acquisition plans with employees and other stakeholders, never leave your accounting and legal professionals in the dark. They can be invaluable resources throughout the acquisition process.

After all, would you ask your accountant to design a second story addition to your home? Of course not! Accounting for a business combination is a specialized function that should involve your accounting and tax professionals.

Don’t be fooled into oversimplifying M&A decisions. An accountant who specializes in business valuations is uniquely suited to help with buy (and sell) transactions. Below are some examples of key accounting considerations in business combinations.

Mark the Dates

The closing date for a business acquisition is pretty obvious. It’s the date that the papers are signed and control transfers from the acquired firm to your firm. However, from an accounting standpoint, the closing process may not be “over” for another year. Additional accounting evidence may unfold in the months following a merger or an acquisition. Hindsight could impact how you report the transaction.

It is important that at the first year-end after the business acquisition that you consult with your accounting and tax professionals, who will make provisional entries that represent estimates of the remaining assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that will be recognized in the coming year as a result of the M&A transaction. This proactive step may prevent you from having to restate your tax returns (or your financial statements) in a later year, which could be costly.

Consolidated Financial Statements Required

When one construction company buys another, separate locations may continue to be maintained and the newly acquired company continue to operate as a separate and distinct business unit. In fact, there may be significant liability, morale-boosting and administrative advantages to letting the newly acquired company continue to account for its own sales and expense transactions using the existing accounting systems and personnel.

However, from a tax perspective and to be compliant with standard practices for financial reporting for banks and bonding companies, it is often necessary to create and maintain a set of consolidated business and accounting records.

Some refiguring of the values of the assets and liabilities held by the target firm on the date of acquisition may be necessary. Once these new values are calculated for the consolidated financial records, any leftover intangible value may be booked to “goodwill.”

The goodwill account is a fixed asset that appears on your consolidated financial statements after a merger or an acquisition. It generally will not be questioned as long as your accounting, finance and tax professionals document the transaction thoroughly, completely and accurately.

Do It Right

Mergers and acquisitions provide exciting opportunities for growth. But these transactions can also be daunting, especially for construction firms who decide to handle legal and financial matters in-house. To make the most out of a business combination, consult with a team of legal, tax and accounting professionals as soon as you start shopping around. They’ve got experience in business combinations and can help you avoid potential pitfalls and mistakes.

Goodwill Accounting: A Choice for Private Firms

In November 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) approved an alternative model for private companies to account for goodwill acquired in business combinations. The FASB is also considering alternatives to the existing goodwill impairment model for public companies and not-for-profit entities.

Old Method

Previously, private companies were required to test for goodwill impairment annually or upon the occurrence of a triggering event, such as:

Bankruptcy or out-of-court restructuring,

• Loss of a key person or major contract
• A major adverse macroeconomic event,
• A significant increase in the cost of materials or labor, or
• A significant reduction in the company’s cash flows compared to prior periods.
• When the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, impairment has occurred. Goodwill impairment requires you to reduce the book value of goodwill on the balance sheet and report an impairment loss on the income statement.

Alternate Method

Under the alternative goodwill reporting method, a private company can instead amortize goodwill on a straight-line basis over a period of ten years (or a shorter period if you can demonstrate that another useful life is more appropriate).

The only time companies assess impairment under the alternate model is upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Under these adverse conditions, a simplified, one-step quantitative impairment test may be required. The amount of impairment is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount of the entity (or reporting unit) and its fair value. Unlike the original impairment model, the alternative method doesn’t require a hypothetical purchase price allocation to isolate the change in goodwill.

The alternative goodwill model is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014.

Hankins Construction is topping off its 75^th Anniversary year by launching a new brand and updated logo, designed to reflect its reputation as a top Missouri building contractor focused on pre-planning and personalized attention.  The company’s new URL can be found at: HankinsMidwest.com

Founded in 1945 by the father-son team of George and Wade Hankins, Hankins Construction continues the family building tradition today under the new banner, “Hankins Construction. The Next Generation of Building.”  The company is led by fourth generation owners and brothers Stephen and Erik Hankins, who together, have more than 25 years’ full-time experience with the company.

The brothers were introduced to construction by their father, Dave, who served at the helm from 1980 to 2016.  “ We learned the business from the bottom up – working as teens under our father in the warehouse and on the job sites,” said Stephen Hankins, president, LEED® AP BD+C, who joined the company full-time in 2006. “The most important lessons we learned were ‘make sure you do it right the first time’ and ‘work safe’ so everyone can go home safely to their families.”

Stephen’s younger brother Erik, CM-LEAN, joined the company in 2011 and serves as vice president/project manager, leading the company’s lean principles.“Typical jobsites are filled with waste, and we are not talking trash, as defined by the LEAN principles this is any action that does not directly correlate the final completion. Once you develop an eye of these waste on a jobsite you can suggest time saving actions that will benefit the project greatly in the long run.”

Hankins Construction works in a number of markets, including municipal, educational, churches, healthcare, officer/retail, among others.  “We go where our clients take us,” added Stephen.  “And a lot of our clients are repeat customers who have built with us before.”

Recent projects include: Flint Hill Elementary Phase 2 and 3, Elsberry School District Campus Wide Additions and Renovations, Wentzville Middle School Kitchen and Cafeteria Renovation, and Workforce Development Center for the Lincoln County School District. 

Other major projects include the Pattonville Early Childhood Center; the United Methodist Church of Green Trails; a 90,000-sq. ft. renovation/addition to the Clayton Community Center and Natatorium; and firehouses for Valley Park, Northeast Ambulance and Firehouse, and the Spanish Lake Fire District.  The company also retrofitted a former Missouri Vehicle Emissions Inspection facility into a new YWCA Early Childhood Center at I-70 and Florissant Road. They also completed a new E-Sports classroom for Confluence Academy, paving the way for a whole new e-sports curriculum track at the school.

Another standout project was the new Hi-Pointe drive-thru restaurant on McCausland/Skinker Avenues, just north of I-64 and south of the Hi-Pointe Theatre on Clayton Road.  “We are fairly open-minded about challenges,” observed Stephen.  “When they told us they wanted to put pre-fab shipping containers on a very small site, we figured out how to do it, despite the tight site.  We like it when a client throws down the gauntlet and we can meet it.  That’s what makes our job interesting.”

The brothers believe that its relationships and personal touches provide the real value-add for clients.  “Our pre-planning approach and the amount of time and effort we devote at the beginning of a project really sets us apart,” added Stephen.  “New technologies also have had a tremendous impact on our industry, from design and building materials, to project scheduling and management.  In the future, we fully expect to see more drones, robots, artificial intelligence, and 3-D printing. But in the end, we believe it is the relationships and people who make a project successful. “

Hankins Construction currently operates out of 6,000-sq.-ft. offices in Overland and they hope to significantly expand their nearby 15,000-sq. ft. warehouse in the near future. For information, visit HankinsMidwest.com or call 314-426-7030.

Clayco, a full-service, turnkey real estate, architecture, engineering, design-build and construction firm with headquarters in Chicago, announced today that the firm is expanding its operations and establishing a West Coast regional office in Los Angeles. As part of that expansion, the firm has hired esteemed industry veterans Rob Jernigan and Emery Molnar to join Clayco as senior vice presidents.

With revenue expected to exceed $ 4.5 billion in 2021, Clayco specializes in the “art and science of building,” providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects. Clayco has completed several billion dollars of work on projects along the West Coast, and still has a backlog in excess of $2 billion in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.

“We have had explosive growth in all of our business lines on the West Coast and the time has come for us to go big,” said Clayco Executive Chairman/Founder Bob Clark on opening a Los Angeles office.

“Clayco has always pounced on opportunities created by industry setbacks and recessions; and with the shakiness of various markets and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the shareholders and leadership agreed that this investment is in the best interest of our customers and company. Rob Jernigan and Emery Molnar are critical additions to our team.”

An accomplished architect, practice leader and community mentor with over 30 years of experience, much of Jernigan’s work can be seen across a revitalized Los Angeles. As a managing principal at his former architectural firm Gensler, Jernigan’s award-winning projects include the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Wiseburn Unified School District and Da Vinci schools, The Ritz-Carlton Residences and JW Marriott at L.A. Live, Metropolis, The Broad, C3 in Culver City, and ICON Sunset Bronson Studios in Hollywood.  At Clayco, he will be senior vice president of integrated services and will be responsible for accelerating growth on the West Coast.

Molnar brings extensive leadership to Clayco’s West Coast expansion while having previously served in executive level positions at Gilbane Building Co. and Swinerton Builders in preconstruction, construction operations and business development. Molnar has successfully helped clients accomplish their visions in diverse industries including education, healthcare, hospitality, commercial and retail. As senior vice president for the Clayco Pacific Region Molnar will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors for ACE Los Angeles and as a board member of Women in Construction Operations (WiOPS).

Jernigan, after more than three decades working for the best architectural firms, said, “Both Emery Molnar, who comes from the building side, and I have always looked for the best results for our clients. We believe we can do better work by making the commitment to putting design and construction together the way in which Clayco has been so successful over the years.”

Added Molnar: “Rob and I are incredibly excited to be part of Clayco’s growth in the Pacific Region. I’ve long admired Clayco’s absolute command of the design-build industry, and I look forward to helping the company grow in these new target markets and, also, in new design-build verticals such as higher education.”

Helping lead Clayco’s West Coast expansion is executive vice president and shareholder Ryan McGuire. McGuire spent more than a decade of his career in Southern California with McCarthy Building Companies before joining Clayco in 2014. He returns to the West Coast having successfully led the Corporate and Mission Critical business units for Clayco.  Roberto Valdes, vice president of Industrial Pacific Region, will also help spearhead the effort; along with executives of the Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Clayco’s design arm.

McGuire said, “Los Angeles has one of the highest accumulations of intellectual and financial capital in the world and we see the area as a perfect fit for the Clayco platform to attract amazing talent to further the interests of our West Coast customers. Our value proposition is unique to those who would seek to join us, as we have an integrated platform across the entire real estate development, design and building spectrum and there are multiple ways to succeed and advance throughout the organization.”

The West Coast regional office will house group leaders from all of Clayco’s business units and subsidiaries. Its Los Angeles-based headquarters will be in Culver City, California. Clayco and its full-service real estate development entity CRG also currently have an office in Newport Beach, California.  

About Clayco
Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $3.8 billion in revenue for 2020, Clayco specializes in the “art and science of building,” providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects. For more information, visit www.claycorp.com.

About LJC
LJC is the full-service design and architecture arm of Clayco and is committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience and to improving how design and architecture can impact each individual’s emotional being. By harnessing the power of integrated design — including architecture, workplace strategy, interior design, landscape architecture, urban planning and engineering. — the company achieves its clients’ goals and aspirations. For more information, visit www.theljc.com.

The Meadows Luxury Living, a new upscale, 156-unit multi-family development in Lake Saint Louis has received zoning approval. The new development will add an amenity-rich, high-end housing option and community greenspace to the area and will support local retailers. Located on Technology Drive, across from The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis shopping center off Highway 40, the project is being developed by St. Louis-based Mia Rose Holdings and Jim Cook, IMOs Pizza franchisee and co-owner of Sugarfire Smokehouse. Construction will break ground this June and is scheduled to complete April 2022.  

“The Meadows Luxury Living is thoughtfully designed with extensive amenities and gathering spaces to satisfy the increasing desire to live, work and recreate close to home,” said Tom Kaiman, Founding Principal of Mia Rose Holdings, LLC. Kaiman and Cook teamed on The Junction, a highly successful, mixed-use development in Wentzville, MO, and recently received zoning approval for The Prairie, a large mixed-use development in neighboring Dardenne Prairie. “Western St.Charles is one of the fastest growing areas of the state. Several closeby corporate headquarters drive the demand for high-end, multi-family housing yet currently there are limited options.”

The Meadows Luxury Living will feature ample recreational and gathering areas including a resort-style pool and sun deck, outdoor lounge with fireplace, community BBQ and picnic area, clubhouse, specialty coffee bar, well-equipped fitness center, bike racks and greenspace with lush landscaping. Residents will enjoy pet friendly community policies and complimentary Wi-Fi. 

The 131,425-square-foot development’s 48 two-bedroom units and 108 one-bedroom units will be spread across five, three-story buildings. A beautiful palette of building materials will give an attractive, high-end appearance that blends with The Meadows and other nearby buildings. Features include cast stone architectural accents, architectural shingles, ornamental balcony railings, brick masonry veneer and decorative exterior lighting sconces. 

Each unit will feature a granite kitchen peninsula and countertops, subway tile backsplash, high-end flooring, washer and dryer, a private patio or balcony with storage, energy-efficient vinyl windows and patio doors, large bedroom and linen closets, stainless steel appliances, granite bathroom vanities and nine-foot ceilings. The two-bedroom units average 1020 square feet and the one-bedroom units are approximately 785 square feet. 

The general contractor is St. Peters-based Wright Construction and the architect is Rosemann & Associates, P.C. The property manager will be 2B Residential, the same firm that manages the Grand Central at the Junction multi-family development in Wentzville.  

ABOUT MIA ROSE HOLDINGS, LLC
Founded in 2014, Mia Rose Holdings LLC (MRH) is a Chesterfield, MO-based commercial real estate development company that actively acquires and develops real estate to support the needs and vision of local communities. In addition to multi-family and mixed-use developments, MRH has a strong niche developing and consulting for ice rinks and other athletic facilities. This expertise grew out of Tom Kaiman’s professional hockey career playing for the Arkansas Riverblades, Baton Rouge Kingfish and Lowell Lockmonsters. For more information about Mia Rose Holdings, visit www.miaroseholdings.org

A groundbreaking ceremony was held last week at the Wolf Branch Middle School construction site for the new Veterans Plaza. Located on the east side of the school, the Plaza is designed to honor those who have served in the six branches of the armed forces.

Jim Wilson, retired Veteran and President of the Veterans for Wolf Branch Committee, said the idea for the Wolf Branch Veterans Plaza began in late 2019, following a Veterans Day Salute hosted by the school. Then the pandemic placed everything on hold.

Wilson said the committee has been soliciting pledges to fund the construction of the Plaza.

“No taxpayer funds are being used to construct the Veterans Plaza; it is being funded entirely by donations from the local community,” said Wilson. “While we have not yet reached our funding goal, the Veterans for Wolf Branch Committee would like to thank all who have so far given generously to support this effort.” 

The plaza will consist of the flags from each of the branches of the military, a large monument dedicated to all past, present, and future Veterans, and an area for visitors to reflect on the services of all veterans.

The Plaza was designed by Ittner Architects and is being constructed by Holland Construction Services.  Holland is also continuing the addition and renovation construction project at the Middle School. Both projects are scheduled for completion this summer.

For more information on the Wolf Branch Veterans Plaza or to make a pledge, visit wolfbranchveteransplaza.com.

Construction is complete on the expansion and renovation of the new weight room at Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School in St. Louis. Kwame Building Group (KWAME) served as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR). The project included updating the building’s footprint in order to expand the current weight room by approximately 1,200 square feet. The upgraded facility will help Cardinal Ritter develop and extend their athletic program and create a space that enhances the learning experience for students. 

Compared to the previous facility, the new weight room adds collegiate level exercise equipment, a large amount of natural light and direct access to outdoor fields. It also features a commercial washer and dryer and a charging station for student use. The KWAME team managed the design and construction process, performed cost estimates, produced project schedules and reviewed the design team’s deliverables. Knoebel Construction was the general contractor partner for the project. The architect was JEMA.

A new athletic field and track is also part of the school’s athletic complex update. The upgraded complex will be a community resource for other elementary schools, youth clubs and community-based organizations. It will serve the more than 10,000 youth and adults who will use the school’s athletic facilities each year.  

“This facility is nothing short of state of the art. It’s on a collegiate level and fits nicely into our strategic health and wellness plan,” said Tamiko Armstead, president of Cardinal Ritter.

Cardinal Ritter alumna Jasminn Jones was KWAME’s project manager for the renovation. While a student, she participated in the Intern Leadership Program and interned for two summers at KWAME. Jones, a graduate of Alabama A&M University, joined KWAME in 2018.

“It is an honor to be working as a project manager at my Alma Mater. I would have never imagined that I would have this opportunity and it is completely full circle. I enjoy Construction Management and I loved my time at CRCP, so to merge the two together, has been very rewarding and impactful,” said Jones. “Cardinal Ritter’s unique afrocentric style of teaching set the foundation for me to be a young black professional in the corporate world with confidence.”

“It was gratifying to witness how this has gone full circle through Jasminn, who is Cardinal Ritter graduate, former Kwame intern and now working as a full time project manager,” said Armstead. “We need more businesses like Kwame to invest in our students as interns, so they can experience careers like Jasminn and stay in St. Louis to live, work and give back.”

The renovation is part of the Cardinal Ritter’s Health and Wellness Initiative, funded in large part by the Taylor family and Enterprise Holdings Foundation, with support from our other donors, including Centene Charitable Foundation, Edward Jones and William T. Kemper Foundation.

ABOUT CARDINAL RITTER COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL
Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School (CRCP) was established in August of 1979 as the first African American co-educational Catholic college prep high school in the country. The mission of faith development, academic excellence, and leadership has withstood the test of time, providing an exemplary college preparatory educational experience for more than 3,000 St. Louis metropolitan area youth since 1979. Graduating classes achieve 100% college acceptance rates, and CRCP college persistence rates of 82% are higher than the average of all high schools nationally. Learn more about Cardinal Ritter College Prep at cardinalritterprep.org.

ABOUT KWAME BUILDING GROUP
Kwame Building Group, Inc. (KWAME) is one of the nation’s top pure construction management firms, dedicating 100 percent of its resources to project management services. Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2021, the employee-owned company provides estimating, scheduling, project planning, value engineering and other project management services as an independent advocate for owners and developers. KWAME’s public and private sector projects include educational facilities, major airports nationwide, light-rail systems, hospitals, wastewater treatment facilities and government facilities. KWAME is headquartered in St. Louis with division offices in Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle. For more information, visit www.kwamebuildinggroup.com or call (314) 862-5344.