David L. Steward is chairman and founder of World Wide Technology, Inc.

World Wide Technology, Inc.

World Wide Technology, Inc. is a systems integration company founded by David Steward and Jim Kavanaugh in July 1990. WWT provides technology and supply chain solutions with a focus on the commercial, government and telecom sectors. The company aids its customer base in the planning, procurement...

, one of the largest African-American-owned businesses in America.

Early years

Steward was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Dorothy, a homemaker, and Harold Steward, a mechanic. As a child growing up in Clinton, Missouri

Clinton, Missouri

Clinton is a city in Henry County, Missouri, United States. The city was named for New York Governor DeWitt Clinton. The population was 9,311 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Henry County.-Geography:Clinton is located at...

, Steward faced poverty and discrimination.

"I vividly remember segregation—separate schools, sitting in the balcony at the movie theater, being barred from the public swimming pool," notes Steward, who was among a small group of African-American high-school students who integrated the public swimming pool in Clinton in 1967. "These experiences had a profound effect on the man I am today. I am not one to back down when it comes to taking a stand for what I believe." Steward found a purpose for the hardship he encountered in his early years—it strengthened his character and taught him perseverance. "The adversities I encountered during my youth served as my training ground for hard times I eventually faced as a struggling entrepreneur."

A determined student, Steward received his B.S. degree in business from Central Missouri State University in 1973.

Business career

After graduating from college, Steward worked at Wagner Electric as a production manager (1974–1975), a sales representative at Missouri Pacific Railroad Company(1975–1979), and a senior account executive at Federal Express (1979–1984), where he was recognized as salesman of the year and inducted into the company's hall of fame in 1981. He owned Transportation Business Specialists and Transport Administrative Services in the years leading up to founding World Wide Technology.

Founding World Wide Technology

In 1990, Steward, Jim Kavanaugh and others founded World Wide Technology, a leading systems integrator that provides technology products, services and supply chain solutions to customers around the globe. In 1993, WWT concentrated its focus on the implementation of enterprise wide imaging, conversion services, and telecommunication networks. These integrated solutions have greatly enhanced WWT's overall market position and long term viability.

In 1999 World Wide Technology spun off its telecommunications division to form Telcobuy.com. Sales for the two companies continued to grow, although revenues slipped in 2002 as World Wide Technology felt the impact of the technology recession. In 2003 combined reported revenues passed $1 billion, and Steward formed World Wide Technology Holding Company as the parent company for the two firms.

In 2011, World Wide Technology's annual revenue are estimated to be greater than $3.2 billion, ranking it as one of St. Louis’ largest private companies.

Doing Business by the Good Book

Steward is the author of the critically acclaimed Doing Business by the Good Book. Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush comments, “David Steward has come up with an idea that betters the way we live and work. He contends that the same qualities of integrity, trust, commitment and loyalty that we expect from our friends and family are also appropriate in the workplace. His story of success epitomizes the American Dream and his example is an inspiration to us all.”

Personal life

Steward is married to Thelma Steward, and the couple has two adult children. His pastor, Dr. Lynn Mims, of Union Memorial United Methodist Church, asked him to start a Sunday school class for businesspeople. Steward was concerned about the long-term commitment but wanted to somehow accommodate his pastor’s request. His wife, Thelma, reminded him what the Bible says in Luke 12:48, "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required." So they started the Bible study and called it Doing Business By the Book, the catalyst for his book, Doing Business by the Good Book: 52 Lessons on Success Straight from the Bible. Today the class is attended by governors of Missouri, past and present; Senators; Congressman; and other dignitaries.

Civic and Community Involvement

Steward serves on numerous committees and boards that include: Civic Progress of St. Louis; the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association; Missouri Technology Corporation, appointed by the Governor of Missouri; Webster University; BJC Health System; First Banks, Inc.; St. Louis Science Center; United Way of Greater St. Louis; The Greater St. Louis Area Council of Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...

 and Harris-Stowe State College African-American Business Leadership Council. In 2011, Steward was appointed to the Board of Curators, University of Missouri

University of Missouri

The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...

 (term expires in 2017) by Governor Jay Nixon

Jay Nixon

Jeremiah Wilson "Jay" Nixon, Sr. is the 55th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Missouri. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as Missouri's Attorney General before his election in 2008.-Political career:...

.

Honors

• 100 Leaders for the Millenium, St. Louis Business Journal, 2000
• 100 Most Influential Black Americans - Ebony
  Ebony (magazine)
  Ebony, a monthly magazine for the African-American market, was founded by John H. Johnson and has published continuously since the autumn of 1945...
  
  magazine
• 14th Best American Entrepreneur, Success Magazine, 1998
• Business Person of the Year for Missouri, Small Business Administration
• Company of the Year, Black Enterprise, 1999
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Black Enterprise, 2000
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, 1998
• Five time winner, Fast 50 Awards
• Granville T. Woods Award for Outstanding CEO, 1997
• Honorary doctorate in humane letters, Harris Stowe State College
• Honorary doctorate in humane letters, Lindenwood University
  Lindenwood University
  Lindenwood University, often referred to as Lindenwood or LU, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Saint Charles, Missouri, United States...
  
  
• Minority Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Administration, 1997, 1998
• Phoenix Award, St. Louis Minority Business Council, 2000
• Small Business Association Hall of Fame, 2001
• The American Marketing Association 1996 Distinguished Executive
• Top 100 Industrial/Service Companies, Black Enterprise, 11th in 1998, 6th in 1999, 1st in 2000 and 2001
• Top 100 List of St. Louis Leaders, 2002
• Top Minority Entrepreneur, Small Business Administration, 1998

See also

• "1998 Entrepreneur of the Year," St. Louis Commerce , July 1, 1998, p. 16.
• Black Enterprise, June 1998, p. 146; June 1999, p. 118.
• Cranon, Angela M., "The Possible Dream: David Steward Has Come a Long Way from Milking Cows and Selling Christmas Cards Door-to-Door," Minority Business Entrepreneur , April 30, 2000, pp. 9–20.
• Jet, May 28, 2001, Vol. 99, p. 52.
• Muhammad, Tariq K., "David Steward, CEO of World Wide Technology, Has Propelled His Company by Focusing on Internal Growth," Black Enterprise , June 1999, pp. 118–128.
• New York Times, October 31, 2001.
• Nicklaus, David, "Homegrown Values Cultivate Success for Firm—Tech Company Ranks No. 1 among Black-Owned Businesses," St. Louis Post-Dispatch , June 14, 2000.
• St. Louis Business Journal, November 8, 1999, p. 55.
• Steward, David L., and Robert L. Shook, Doing Business by the Good Book , New York: Hyperion, 2004.
• Who's Who Among African Americans, Vol. 14, Gale, 2001.

External links

• http://mizzouweekly.missouri.edu/archive/2011/32-19/new-curators-nominated/index.php
• http://www2.wwt.com/company/history
• http://www.answers.com/topic/david-steward#ixzz1S1vnlOOM