The Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year Awards recognize exceptional individuals who are shaping the landscape of business and innovation in St. Louis.
In addition, The St. Louis Dealmakers Hall of Fame recognized a class of dealmakers that has made an often-groundbreaking impact on their organizations, industries and the region over the course of decades in business.
We celebrated the accomplishments of the 2025 class of winners on March 6 at the St. Louis Smart Business Dealmakers Conference. Together, they provide a strong picture of the St. Louis business community.
Dealmaker Of The Year Honorees
Kevin Hambrice, CEO of TerraSource Global. Since joining in October 2021, Kevin has been a powerhouse of strategic growth — completing two major acquisitions and now gearing up for a third. His bold vision has rapidly expanded TerraSource Global’s market footprint, setting a new standard for dealmaking excellence. By successfully integrating acquisitions and driving expansion, Kevin has positioned the company for sustained growth and industry leadership.
Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, Executive Director of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Since 2016, Rhonda has transformed the airport’s operations, boosting its economic impact to an astounding $6.1 billion while spearheading a landmark $3.2 billion terminal consolidation project. Her innovative approach has secured vital international flights to Frankfurt and Canada, strengthening St. Louis’ global connectivity. Through strategic investments and visionary leadership, Rhonda continues to elevate the airport as a key economic driver for the region.
Tim Luchini, CEO of Intramotev. In July 2024, Tim led Intramotev to secure $14.35 million in Series A funding, attracting a diverse group of investors including Flybridge Capital Partners and Alpaca VC. His forward-thinking leadership is propelling the company toward significant growth and innovative market advancements. Tim’s strategic foresight and commitment to innovation continue to position Intramotev as a leader in its field.
Nathan McKean, Former CEO of Breckenridge Material Co. Under Nathan’s leadership, the company expanded through 30 strategic acquisitions over 15 years, culminating in a landmark $300 million deal with London’s Breedon Group for BMC Enterprises. Now serving as a non-executive adviser and Chairman of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Nathan continues to shape the industry’s future with his strategic insight. His legacy of dealmaking, growth, and leadership has set a lasting standard in the materials sector.
David Robert, Co-Founder and CEO of Midas Hospitality. With over 35 years in the industry, David’s journey from busboy to visionary leader has fueled Midas’s rise — raising roughly $375 million in the past three years and delivering numerous multi-million-dollar projects. His deep commitment to community shines through his roles with Explore St. Louis and the STL Civic Pride Foundation, reinforcing his dedication beyond business. David’s ability to drive financial success while making a lasting impact on the region makes him a true leader in both hospitality and civic engagement.
Brian Thompson, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Elemental Enzymes. In one of the toughest Agtech funding climates in 17 years, Brian secured a minority investment of over $50 million and raised an impressive $77.75 million from Paine Schwartz Partners. His strategic vision is fueling the launch of groundbreaking products and expanding R&D capabilities, positioning Elemental Enzymes for a breakthrough future. Brian’s ability to navigate market challenges and attract investment underscores his exceptional leadership in driving innovation.
Paul Tibbitt, CEO of Ansira. With the support of Truelink Capital and a revitalized leadership team, Paul led Ansira through a transformative 2024, executing a simultaneous double acquisition of BrandMuscle and SproutLoud. These strategic moves drove revenue up by 69 percent and EBITDA by 125 percent, while the divestiture of its Sincro division sharpened the company’s focus. By executing multiple high-impact deals, Paul has redefined Ansira’s market positioning and set a new benchmark for strategic growth.
Social Impact Honoree
Andrew D. Martin, Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis. The Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Building in the Cortex Innovation District is a groundbreaking achievement in medical science, standing as one of the largest neuroscience research facilities in the world. This 609,000-square-foot hub represents a new era of innovation, providing researchers with the resources to unlock the mysteries of the nervous system and accelerate the search for cures for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and ALS. Under Andrew Martin’s leadership, the university invested $616 million into its construction, breaking ground in March 2020 despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Situated on the eastern edge of Washington University’s Medical Campus, within the 200-acre Cortex Innovation District, the building fosters collaboration between world-class researchers and a thriving biotech startup ecosystem.
By creating an environment where academic research and entrepreneurial innovation intersect, Washington University is ensuring that scientific breakthroughs move from the lab to the real world, benefiting patients globally. This investment cements the university’s leadership in neuroscience and paves the way for revolutionary medical advancements. The impact of this work will be felt for generations to come.
Dealmakers Hall of Fame Honorees
James Carrington, President of the Danforth Plant Science Center. Under Jim Carrington’s leadership, the Danforth Plant Science Center has grown into the world’s largest independent plant science institute, employing nearly 450 people and driving critical agricultural innovation. Since joining in 2011, Jim has focused the center on high-tech advancements, data science, and computation to address global food security and sustainability challenges. His pioneering research in gene silencing, small RNA, and virus-host interactions has made him one of the most frequently cited plant scientists in the world.
Jim’s career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of knowledge that leads to real-world impact. Whether through his groundbreaking research or his leadership at the Danforth Center, he has dedicated his career to ensuring that science serves humanity. His work is not just shaping the future of agriculture — it’s feeding the world.
James Koman, Founder & CEO of ElmTree Funds. For the past four decades, Jim Koman has made a lasting impact on the commercial real estate industry. He has overseen approximately $20 billion in net lease and real estate transactions, and has built ElmTree into a powerhouse investment firm, specializing in strategic acquisitions, dispositions, and portfolio management. His expertise has positioned him as a respected leader and keynote speaker in the real estate sector.
Jim’s influence extends well beyond the boardroom. His ongoing commitment to supporting youth development led to the founding of the Bill Koman Game Plan for Success at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, helping student-athletes transition from sports to lifelong success. Whether shaping billion-dollar real estate deals or shaping the next generation of leaders, Jim’s legacy is one of vision, impact, and purpose.
Bill Schmidt, Managing Partner at Cultivation Capital. Bill Schmidt has played a key role in fueling innovation and entrepreneurship as Managing Partner for the Life Sciences Funds at Cultivation Capital. His funds have invested in more than 40 startups, supporting the growth of groundbreaking medical technologies. With over 20 years of experience in the medical device and health care IT sectors, Bill co-founded LDM Group, a pioneering digital health company that built a platform integrating real-time patient communication across 18,000 pharmacies and 100,000 doctors’ offices.
His strategic vision led to LDM’s successful sale to private equity in 2014, and the company now operates as ConnectiveRx. Bill’s leadership is not only defined by investment acumen but also by his dedication to creating opportunities for future entrepreneurs. Whether advising startups or leading community initiatives, he continues to push boundaries, proving that great leaders don’t just build businesses — they build ecosystems.
Terry Moody, President & CEO of Altor Solutions. With over 20 years of C-suite experience, Terry Moody has built a reputation for driving exceptional business growth and shareholder value, generating more than $2 billion in returns throughout his career. As CEO of Altor Solutions, he oversees 23 manufacturing and distribution sites across the U.S. and Mexico, bringing strategic leadership to the company’s expansion. Prior to Altor, Terry led Alpha Packaging, orchestrating its successful sale to Clear Lake Capital and Pretium in 2021.
His impressive career includes leadership roles at global organizations such as Fives Inc., Colfax/ESAB, and Victor Technologies, where he played a pivotal role in increasing company valuations by hundreds of millions of dollars. With experience spanning North America, Europe, Asia and beyond, Terry’s expertise in international business strategy is unmatched. His impact extends beyond balance sheets — he is a mentor, an innovator and a leader who continues to shape the future of global manufacturing.
