The 2017 Salute to Business Achievement Award Recipients:
Diann D. Gross, BSBA 1980
Diann is a senior partner with Ernst & Young LLP, with 37 years experience serving large, multi-location clients in a variety of industries, For the past 19 years, she has been a partner in EY's National Office - the Americas Professional Practice Group. She is currently the Americas Deputy Vice Chair - Professional Practice group. She is currently the Americas Deputy Vice Chair - Professional Practice, responsible for the Professional Practice function throughout the Americas, focusing on the accounting, auditing and SEC reporting groups, as well as quality and risk management activities.
Diann holds a BSBA in accounting from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1980. She is a member and past chair of the Missouri Society of CPA's and member of the AICPA. Diann also serves on the United Way of Greater St. Louis Board and Audit Committee.
Robert J. Mastis, BSBA 1995
Bob is a principal and founder of Digital Intersection, a marketing communications company focused on providing clients with a variety of highly measurable solutions that yield a positive return on investment. Bob has more than 15 years of experience serving as a database marketing professional. He possesses a unique skill set of understanding technology and its application within a sales and marketing environment and how to integrate the database to achieve the desired business objectives.
Bob has extensive experience within customer analytics, predictive modeling techniques, database segmentation and list acquisition strategies to yield increased campaign ROI. He strives to collaborate with clients on the importance of quantitative profiling measures as it relates to identification and testing of customer segments to develop the optimal message and offer strategy via traditional direct marketing tactics and emerging online media
Over his career, he has worked with the following example clients included: AT&T Advertising Solutions, WellPoint Health Networks, Inc., United HealthCare, Tufts Health Plan / Secure Horizons, Partners Health Plans of North Carolina, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Solomon Smith Barney, NYNEX, Air Evac Lifeteam and Pacific Bell.
Bob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management & Organizational Behavior from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. He also served as a President of the St. Louis Direct Marketing Association for 2004 – 2005 and continues to hold a board position today.
Don J. Mueth, BSBA 1984
Don Mueth attained his UMSL BSBA in 1984 with an emphasis in Finance. He began his career in the Financial Services industry immediately after graduating and over the past 33 years has served in many roles including sales, operations, trading, management, research, and corporate finance. He is currently the COO of Asset Consulting Group, an institutional investment consultant and subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners, LLC. Don is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the CFA Society of St. Louis.
An active volunteer in the St. Louis community, Don has a special interest in educational institutions. He has served on the UMSL Finance Advisory Board since 2010, is a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council and a new member of the PLS Advisory Board. He is passionate about providing educational opportunities to city residents through his work with Most Holy Trinity School and Academy in the Hyde Park neighborhood of North St. Louis City. Don and his wife Mary Ann, being finance and accounting professionals, are happy to announce that 3 of their 4 children are off the family payroll and plans are shaping up for their 4th to transition off in 2020.
Dennis M. Reagan, BSBA 1974
Denny Reagan is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Muny in St. Louis. Before being named President of The Muny in 1991, Reagan had advanced through the ranks of the “oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre in America” by working as a member of the clean-up team, as wardrobe dresser, stage crew, runner, courier, office clerk, office manager, manager of theatre operations and assistant general manager.
Each summer from mid-June through mid-August, The Muny produces and presents ageless and contemporary Broadway shows starring some of the best beloved performers from Broadway, film and television. The Muny will celebrate its 99th summer season in 2017. Reagan’s association with The Muny, an 11,000-seat outdoor theatre located in Forest Park, spans over four decades.
In addition to his work for The Muny, Reagan is actively involved with a number of local and national arts, civic and academic institutions. He is a member and past-President of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and serves on the boards of Central Institute for the Deaf and Great Circle. Denny recently completed 10 years of service as a commissioner for the Regional Arts Commission.
A native of St. Louis, Denny Reagan and his wife Michelle live in South St. Louis County and have three children and two grandchildren.
Luigi Wewege, BSBA 2009
Luigi Wewege is the Chief Executive Officer of Vivier & Co, a boutique financial services firm offering private digital banking solutions to its clients worldwide. Outside of Vivier he serves as the Non-executive Chairman of Nikau Global an international trade development company, as Partner/Director of Palmetto Global Ventures a bespoke financial management consultancy based in South Carolina, and is an invited member of Massachusetts non-profit The Young Entrepreneur Council. Luigi is also the author of the book: The Digital Banking Revolution.
Luigi holds a Master of Business Administration with a major in international business from the MIB - School of Management. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a triple major in finance, international business and management - cum laude from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Notably, while Luigi was completing his undergraduate he executed a pilot study for the Federal Trade Commission during one of the most serious financial times for the American economy. The focus of the study was to examine and determine the accuracy of credit bureau information, with the research ultimately providing the impetus for a report which was presented before the United States Congress under Section 319 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.
One of Luigi’s passions is to create development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change, which led him to serving as a Director and Trustee of Doing Good Fellows. He is also the past President - Metro of Junior Chamber International, which is the only non-political and non-sectarian youth service organization, with world headquarters in Chesterfield, MO.
Kirk Richter, BSBA 1968
UMSL Business Dean's Medal Recipient
Kirk retired in 2012 after 34 years at Sigma-Aldrich Corporation where his most recent positions were Vice President and Treasurer and Interim Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his career at Sigma-Aldrich, he was employed for 10 years at Arthur Andersen & Co, where his last position was Audit Manager. He is a Certified Public Accountant. Kirk is a 1968 graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) College of Business Administration, with a B.S. in Business Administration. He is currently the President of UMSL’s Alumni Association and serves on the Chancellor’s Council, the Business College Leadership Council and the College of Business Administration Alumni Chapter Board. He also serves on the University of Missouri Intercampus Alumni Council. Kirk is a 1994 UMSL Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, received the University of Missouri’s Alliance of Alumni Associations Distinguished Service Award in 1996, UMSL’s Distinguished Service Award in 2001 and UMSL Alumni Association’s You Make A Difference Award in 2003. He serves on a District Committee for the Boy Scouts in St. Louis, where he received that organization’s Silver Beaver Award and District Award of Merit, is a member of the Mercy Foundation Board and is active with his church.
Kirk is married to Maureen Richter (a 1974 UMSL graduate), has a son Dan and daughter in law Kelsey, a daughter Laura, and stepsons Chris, Steve, Dan and Jon Peterson and their respective spouses Annette, Renae, Chiara and Hannah. Kirk and Maureen have 12 grandchildren.