January 2026 Membership Newsletter |
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Rick Hall President
Email 636-795-9744 |
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Happy New Year EC Members. For those who do not know me, I am Rick Hall the incoming President. I want to recognize and thank Jason Stone for leading the organization over the last 2 years and for all the great triumphs he achieved.
We are excited for all the wonderful opportunities coming this year and proud of the accomplishments we attained in 2025. Stats for 2025: - Applications for membership: 97
- New Members welcomed: 54
- Landed in 2025: 64
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At end of year in transition in class: 40
- In consulting or Fractional Work: 21
Reminders: Committee and Board Help - Recently a survey sent out asking for help on committees and board roles. There are some great initiatives we need your help with. Please complete and return if you can assist.
2026 Dues - You should have received an invoice for your annual dues. This supports our organization and helps us provide what is needed for members in transition. If you do not see the invoice, please check your spam folder and reach out if we need to resend. EC Lunch – We are changing the monthly lunch to a new experience called “Executive Exchange” which will be more focused on a “Lunch and Learn” approach. There will be important topics of discussion for both members in transition and Alumni. First one is scheduled for Feb. Lookout for the invite. As always please connect, reach out if there are any questions, and we look forward to seeing you at the next event. Thanks. Rick Hall |
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| Networking Corner - Members in Transition |
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Seeking: I’m especially effective in environments with real constraints and regulations, where the goal is to move faster, prioritize what matters, and get more value from limited resources. I strengthen brand reputation and performance through modern, data-driven digital tactics across web, social, SEO, and content operations, with clear governance and measurement to prove impact.
Topic of interest: Everyone is doing the generative AI thing right now. And honestly, they should be. - What I am interested in is using it practically and broadly at scale. I develop AI workflows that improve speed with clear guardrails and human review. One unique aspect of me: Digital communications is all I’ve ever done professionally. I have been a “hands on leader” for over 30 years, starting with my first website. I’ve learned how to spot what’s missing, fix what’s broken, and scale what’s working to create impact at scale.
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I'm a digital communications and marketing leader who blends strategy with hands-on execution to grow audiences, protect reputation, and modernize how organizations communicate. I've led teams and built enterprise programs that delivered measurable gains, while creating best practices and governance that scales. I'm equally comfortable driving transformation (web migrations, UX improvements, accessibility standards compliance) and optimizing performance through data-driven content and channel strategy. I'm looking to help a mission-driven organization tell a clearer story, move faster, and create impact with measurable results.
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Seeking: I am seeking an opportunity to contribute my experience in advancing innovative, equitable, and sustainable healthcare solutions by improving care delivery, operational performance, and population health outcomes across diverse communities.
Topic of interest: I am particularly interested in topics at the intersection of healthcare innovation, community-driven design, and systems transformation—specifically how organizations can reimagine care delivery models to better align clinical excellence, operational sustainability, and health equity at scale. One unique aspect of me: I have built a career at the intersection of mission, medicine, and operations—often serving as the translator between clinicians, executives, and communities to align incentives and drive meaningful change. |
I have spent more than 15 years working across Medicare, nonprofit, and underserved healthcare settings, drawn to the challenge of making complex systems work better for real people. I care deeply about building care models that are practical, equitable, and financially sustainable, and I am often the person who helps teams turn good intentions into real results. Board service is an important part of how I give back—bringing thoughtfulness, accountability, and long-term perspective to mission-driven work. Currently, I am on the board of Urban League St. Louis, Operation Food Search, and Foster and Adoption Coalition. I am committed to St. Louis not just professionally, but personally, and I am motivated to use my experience to strengthen our local health ecosystem and community outcomes.
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Seeking: Senior technology leadership opportunities where I can lead enterprise IT strategy, modernize platforms, and drive execution through periods of complexity and change. I am open across industries and drawn to organizations that value experienced leadership, sound judgment, and operational discipline. Topic of interest: Why execution fails in large IT organizations and how effective CIOs align governance, capacity, and priorities to deliver results through strong teams and disciplined leadership.
One unique aspect of me: I have spent my career accountable for outcomes, not just direction. That accountability has shaped how I lead, with a focus on building strong teams, clear ownership, and realistic execution. I understand how large IT organizations function day to day and how to move initiatives forward in a way that delivers results without creating unnecessary disruption.
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I am a senior technology executive with more than 30 years of experience leading enterprise IT organizations through growth, integration, and transformation. I have a demonstrated history of long-term commitment and loyalty, earning trust by taking ownership of outcomes and seeing complex initiatives through over time. That experience shaped my appreciation for strategy, governance, and the operational consequences of decisions. I have led large teams, managed significant operating and capital budgets, and partnered closely with executive leadership and boards. Today, I am in transition and open to conversations with organizations seeking experienced CIO-level leadership to move forward with clarity and confidence.
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| | Saving this space for you. |
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From Experience to Advice - Alumni Insights - |
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What I’ve Learned About Networking
I’ve been around Executive Connections St. Louis since its earliest days. In 2009, during the financial crisis, several colleagues in senior marketing roles were suddenly in transition. Many of us were informally networking to help one another, and EC emerged as a more structured version of what we were already doing.
My own career path made EC a natural fit. Early on, I was determined to move into brand management at a consumer goods company in St. Louis, despite not having the ideal background. I took a junior role at Darcy Masius Benton & Bowles, earned far less than I needed to live comfortably, and spent countless hours networking at companies like Anheuser-Busch and Ralston Purina.
One early relationship shaped my entire career. Jesse Barash offered to help me network into Purina on one condition: I agreed to meet with anyone he sent my way. I assumed this would last a few months. It lasted more than 20 years. That experience taught me that networking is not transactional. It’s a long-term commitment.
That mindset served me well. I eventually landed at Ralston Purina and stayed deeply engaged in networking throughout my career. As a result, I rarely had to start a job search from scratch. That changed in 2016 when my role at Eastman Chemical (formerly Solutia) ended due to restructuring. At the time, I was exploring the purchase of a small business while also keeping an eye on executive roles. Most of the opportunities I encountered felt like steps backward, both professionally and financially, which led me to formally join EC.
EC gave me structure, tools, and a community to lean on. The most impactful tool for me was the EC Networking Document. Using these tools, I evaluated several acquisition opportunities and ultimately purchased ARCH Design in 2017. Since then, I’ve continued to meet with EC members in transition and help make introductions whenever possible. Over the years, I’ve noticed consistent patterns in what works and what doesn’t.
Preparation matters more than people realize. The most productive meetings happen when materials are sent well in advance. A resume alone is not enough. A strong Networking Document clearly outlines background, search focus, target industries or companies, and specific introductions being sought. It shifts the conversation from “Here’s my resume” to “Here’s how you can help me.”
Treat meetings professionally. Bring printed materials, take notes, and be fully present. When names, companies, or ideas are shared and nothing is written down, it unintentionally signals a lack of seriousness. Surprisingly, in roughly a quarter of my networking meetings, the other person has nothing to write with and sometimes asks to borrow a pen and paper. Follow-up should be fast and easy. A timely follow-up email should recap agreed-upon introductions, include brief language the introducer can forward, and attach any relevant documents. The goal is to reduce effort for the person helping you.
Close the loop. One of my biggest frustrations is learning someone landed a role through a landing party or newsletter announcement rather than directly. Within a week of starting a new position, let everyone who helped you know. It’s respectful and prevents people from continuing to advocate for you unnecessarily. The takeaway. Successful networking through Executive Connections is simple, but not casual. Prepare thoroughly, respect people’s time, make it easy for others to help you, and always close the loop. These habits compound over time and often matter more than any single introduction. |
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| EC Alumni News & Information |
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Please let us know of any good news regarding you or your fellow members to share in the monthly EC Newsletter. |
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Upcoming Events (Sign up and let us know you are attending)
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Unofficial EC Happy Hour at Sapore 4:30 - 6:30 CST |
| 451 S. Kirkwood Rd. Kirkwood, MO 63122 |
Dates for this location 2/4/26 3/4/26 |
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Unofficial EC Happy Hour at Lester's 4:30 - 6:30 CST |
| 9906 Clayton Road Ladue, MO 63124 |
Dates for this location 2/18/26 |
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Executive Exchange 11:30AM - 12:30PM
2nd Friday of each month |
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3 City Place Drive Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Each session will feature a guest speaker, a complimentary lunch, and dedicated time at the end of the program for networking. This is open to all EC members. |
Dates for this event 02/13/26
03/13/26 04/10/26 05/8/26
06/12/26 07/10/26 08/14/2025 09/11/26 10/09/26 11/13/26 12/11/26 |
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Rick Hall President
Email 636-795-9744 |
| Sandhya Vollala Director / Comm. Outreach Email 773-562-3529 |
| Mary Houlihan Director & Facilitator
Email 314-267-1128 |
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Jeff Reed Director / Treasurer
Email 314-221-9616 |
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Rose O'Brien Director / Candidate Vetting
Email 314-974-3055 |
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Jan Alonzo Director Email
314-322-0272 |
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Rob Godlewski Director / Marketing Chair
Email 314-703-1193 |
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Karen Loiterstein Director / Social Chair Email 314-691-4181 |
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Karen Moceri Director / Engagement Email 636-575-0916 |
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