TOP CFOs (formerly Finance & Investing) is pleased to announce The Top 25 CFOs of Missouri for 2023. Missouri's major cities including St. Louis and Kansas City help define the state's vibrant culture and economy, rooted in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and technology.
The distinguished CFOs featured on this year's list bring a wealth of experience in financial leadership helping their organizations in strategic planning, operational decisions, risk management, investor relations, and other areas. These CFOs also demonstrate a keen understanding of the broader business landscape, which enables them to navigate challenges in their industry and global economy. Their impact on financial performance and value creation sets them apart as key contributors to their company's success.
Among this year’s awardees, Alissa Schuessler stands out in her role at Burns & McDonnell, guiding the finance team through a successful international expansion into five countries and reinforcing the company's standing as a global powerhouse. Additionally, Brad Phillips, CFO and SVP at Evernorth, a division of Cigna, demonstrates strategic transaction expertise, which in part led to a significant liability reduction and successful integration of a $5 billion acquisition. Meanwhile, Justin Lienemann serves as the CFO of Clayco, the Clayco Foundation and CCDI, where he leads a wide array of financial functions for multiple operating businesses.
We commend these individuals for their commitment to the organizations they serve. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 25 CFOs of Missouri for 2023.
1. Renato Iacone
Chief Financial Officer, Bayer
Renato Iacone began his professional career 23 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Financial Officer of Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and nutrition. It designs its products and services to serve the most essential human needs of health and nutrition. At the same time, it strives to address some of the world’s biggest challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At Bayer, the people are committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with their businesses.
Iacone is accountable for administrative, financial, and risk management topics for Southern Africa and ensures the local implementation of key corporate processes, directives, and functions. He joined the company in 1997 as an IT Consultant. He held multiple roles in the company, including IT Security Officer, Internal Auditor, Corporate Auditor, Risk Manager, Head of Controlling, and Finance Business Partner. Iacone graduated from FASP with a master’s in business consulting and from Universidade Paulista with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
2. Charles Weschke
Chief Financial Officer, Centene
Charles Weschke is the Chief Financial Officer of Centene. He first joined the company in 2015 as VP of Finance. Centene is a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. The company offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace and the TRICARE program.
Previously, Weschke was a Director of Financial Planning at Ascension Health Senior Care, and before that, a Director of Financial Planning & Analysis at Kaiser Performance. Earlier in his career, he worked with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri as a Manager in Business Analytics and Planning and Financial Analysis. Weschke earned an MBA in Finance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri.
3. Russ Willey
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Holdings
Russ Willey is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Enterprise Holdings where he oversees the organization’s business management, supply chain management, aviation, administrative shared services, internal & external reporting, forecasting, tax, treasury, retirement plan administration, internal audit, global risk management, privacy, and compliance & ethics.
Willey began his career with Enterprise in 1994 as a Business Manager for Fleet Management. The following year, he accepted a promotion to Controller of the organization’s Heartland group. In 1998, Willey returned to St. Louis and joined the corporate accounting department. In 2002, he was promoted to Assistant VP of Corporate Accounting Policies, Procedures, and Systems. Shortly thereafter, he was named VP of internal audit. In 2009, Willey joined the Centric Group where he served as VP of Finance and CFO, overseeing all administrative areas of the business, including accounting and finance, HR, treasury, tax, M&As, administration, and legal.
In 2016, Willey returned to Enterprise with a promotion to SVP of Corporate Accounting and Shared Services. He was named CIO until he was appointed CFO in late 2022. Willey earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Northeast Missouri State University (now known as Truman State University). He currently serves on the Crawford Group board of directors, Boone Valley Golf Club BoD, and previously spent three years as an Enterprise Mobility Foundation board trustee.
4. Alice Tharenos
Chief Financial Officer, Iron Ore Company of Canada, Rio Tinto
Alice Tharenos was appointed Chief Financial Officer in January 2023 at Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC), a division of Rio Tinto. IOC is a leading North American producer and exporter of premium iron ore pellets and high-grade concentrate with average iron grades greater than 66%. The company’s operations include a mine with five operational pits, a concentrator, and a pelletizing plant located near Labrador City, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Tharenos is a financial professional with more than 20 years of mining leadership experience across multiple disciplines and continents. She is bringing her commercial expertise to drive strategic initiatives in a growing industry with exciting opportunities and oversees the continued financial health of the business. Tharenos graduated from Maryville University of Saint Louis with an MBA in marketing and from the University of Arizona with an undergraduate degree in finance and marketing.
5. Raymond Alvey
Chief Financial Officer, SSM Health
Raymond Alvey is the Chief Financial Officer of SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, an academic medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for St. Louis University School of Medicine and is exclusively staffed by SLUCare Physician Group. This three-pronged relationship between SSM Health, SLUCare, and Saint Louis University School of Medicine is just one way they're changing health care.
Alvey has 19 years of experience, and he began his career in 2004. Before joining SSM Health, he was a CFO at Saint Louis University Hospital. Earlier in his career, he worked with Tenet Healthcare Central Region as a Regional Finance Director. Alvey graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with an MBA.
6. Brad Phillips
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Evernorth-Cigna
Brad Phillips is the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at Evernorth, a division of Cigna, a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. Evernorth guides its customers through the healthcare system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to improve their health and vitality.
Phillips is a finance, accounting, and management professional with over 20 years of experience in all aspects of financial planning, analysis, and reporting. His experience includes significant work with SEC reporting (33 and 34 Act filings), complex GAAP, internal reporting, forecasting, and management of the 5-year strategic planning process. He has served as a multi-billion dollar divisional CFO in multiple industries, including mining/natural resources and healthcare.
Phillips has driven and participated in numerous corporate transactions, including spinoffs, M&A, and asset sales and purchases. He played a key role in a 12-month Chapter 11 process that led to a $7 billion (>60%) liability reduction. Additionally, he successfully led all functions of the integration of a $5 billion acquisition in Australia by a US parent company, including the realization and tracking of over $100 million in annual synergies and complete organizational integration of new operations and head office. Phillips graduated from Western Illinois University with an undergraduate degree in business and accounting.
7. Jim Shay
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hallmark Cards
Jim Shay is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hallmark Cards. He first joined the company in 2015. Founded in 1910 by a teenage entrepreneur with two shoe boxes of postcards under his arm, Hallmark today is still family-owned and privately held. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and employing more than 20,000 worldwide, the company operates a diversified portfolio of businesses. The Hallmark Global business designs and sells greeting cards, gifts, ornaments, and gift packaging in more than 30 languages with distribution in nearly 100 countries and 100,000 rooftops worldwide, including a network of company-owned and independently-owned Hallmark Gold Crown stores in five countries.
Previously, Shay was SVP and CFO at Great Plains Energy, and before that, a CFO at Northern Power Systems. He also worked as Managing Director at Frontier Investment Banking. Shay was also a CFO at Machine Laboratory and General Electric Environmental Services. Earlier in his career, he worked with KPMG as an Audit Manager and Senior Staff Accountant. Shay graduated from the University of Kansas.
8. Chris Growe
Chief Financial Officer, Advantage Solutions
Chris Growe is the Chief Financial Officer of Advantage Solutions, a leading provider of outsourced sales and marketing solutions to consumer goods companies and retailers. Its data- and technology-driven services include headquarters sales, retail merchandising, in-store and online sampling, digital commerce, omnichannel marketing, retail media, and others. Growe leads all aspects of the company’s finance organization, including investor relations, accounting, payroll, treasury, and tax.
With more than 25 years of finance and investment experience, Growe's most recent role was at Stifel, a global wealth management, investment banking, and investment advisory firm. As a Managing Director in the consumer and retail sector, he covered food and tobacco stocks and provided guidance to institutional investors. Growe has received multiple awards for his work at Stifel, including several Financial Times/StarMine awards for earnings estimates and stock picking. He has also been honored by The Wall Street Journal with the Best on the Street Survey Award.
Before Stifel, Growe was an analyst covering food, beverage, and tobacco stocks with A.G. Edwards. He spent his early career in marketing at Anheuser-Busch. Growe graduated from Saint Louis University with an MBA and an undergraduate degree in business administration.
9. Jeremy W. Smeltser
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Spectrum Brands
Jeremy W. Smeltser was appointed as Executive Vice President in October 2019 and became the Chief Financial Officer in November 2019 of Spectrum Brands, a home essentials company trusted by millions of consumers worldwide. Its brands improve the way people live life at home - from making their meals, looking their best, and caring for their pets to cleaning their homes and freeing their space from unwanted weeds and pests.
Smeltser previously served as VP and CFO of SPX Flow. Before that, he served as VP and CFO of SPX Corporation, where he held various roles, including Flow Technology, and became an officer of SPX Corporation in 2009. Smeltser joined SPX Corporation from Ernst & Young, where he was an audit manager. Prior to that, he held various positions with Arthur Andersen, in Tampa, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois, focused primarily on assurance services for global manufacturing clients. Smeltser earned a BS in Accounting from Northern Illinois University.
10. Alissa Schuessler
Chief Financial Officer, Burns & McDonnell
Alissa Schuessler joined as a staff accountant in 2005, rising to the role of Chief Financial Officer at Burns & McDonnell where its engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists, and scientists do more than plan, design, and construct. With a mission unchanged since 1898 — make its clients successful — its 13,500+ professionals partner with clients through the toughest challenges, constantly working to make the world an amazing place.
Under Schuessler’s leadership, the finance team navigated international expansion into five countries, helping strengthen their credentials as a global firm. She spearheaded the development of a best-in-class team and established financial controls to accommodate large-scale, complex projects. As a finance executive of a 100% employee-owned firm, Schuessler supports entrepreneurial ideas with sound financial counsel. In that capacity, she sponsors a companywide initiative providing employee-owners with a framework to navigate and execute the steps of getting an idea to market.
Schuessler is a member of the Employee-Owned S Corporations of America, was named a 2021 NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal, and is a graduate of the Central Exchange Emerging Leaders Program, which empowers women leaders.
11. Michael Monarchi
Chief Financial Officer, Barry-Wehmiller
In his role as Barry-Wehmiller’s Chief Financial Officer, Michael Monarchi helps visibly connect key strategic goals directly to company financial targets. Barry-Wehmiller built its reputation by growing into a global capital equipment & consulting firm. Impressed by the organization’s emphasis on people, as well as its growth trajectory, Monarchi joined Barry-Wehmiller in 2020, bringing a focus on operational and financial process discipline, along with a commitment to teamwork, problem-solving, and personal development.
As VP of Finance of the hydraulics division at Eaton, Monarchi helped drive financial and operational performance improvements while also guiding the business through a cultural transformation. Prior to Eaton, he worked for General Electric for more than 20 years, where he participated in the company’s financial management and corporate audit staff programs and held numerous leadership positions in the power and aviation divisions. Monarchi has a BS in applied mathematics from Union College.
12. Scott Kendall
Chief Financial Officer, Continuum Global Solutions
Scott Kendall is the Chief Financial Officer of Continuum Global Solutions, a company that partners with top companies around the world to deliver customer care services through its global network of contact centers. Its global Fortune 500 clients rely on the company’s vast expertise in customer care management to improve its customers’ experience. Continuum's customer care and call center solutions leverage world-class voice, chat, email, and social technologies. More than 15,000 employees serve top-tier clients across multiple industry verticals. Kendall leads the company's financial functions, including accounting, audit, corporate finance, and procurement.
Kendall is a proven finance leader with more than 25 years of experience in financial management and analysis, accounting, auditing, and M&A. He has held key financial roles at Conduent, Xerox, ACS, Mellon, Buck Consultants, and WF Corroon. Kendall earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants.
13. Aaron Cooper
Chief Financial Officer, Healthcare Services Group
Aaron Cooper joined Healthcare Services Group (HSG) in November 2018. In January 2020, Cooper was promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Healthcare Services provides management, employees, and facilities to operate their family of companies, as well as offering a vast array of value-added services, including claim management, risk management, patient safety education, and more. The company has earned a proud reputation as an insurance problem solver, serving healthcare providers in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois.
Before joining HSG, Cooper was a Partner with Brown Smith Wallace. He spent over 15 years in public accounting, specializing in providing professional consulting and audit services to insurance companies across the US. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Cooper has served two terms as President of the Show-Me Chapter of the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association (IASA). He has also taught a number of courses for IASA, including local and regional conferences, as well as national eLearning webinars. Cooper is a licensed CPA and a graduate of Truman State University with a BS in Accounting and a Master’s of Accountancy.
14. Jared Anderson
Chief Financial Officer, D&S Car Wash Supply
Jared Anderson is the Chief Financial Officer of D&S Car Wash Supply, a leading manufacturer in the car wash industry, specializing in all-welded stainless steel car wash systems. The company offers a full line of car wash system packages that include everything needed to open and run a state-of-the-art, professional car care center. Anderson has 9 years of experience and began his career in 2014.
Before joining D&S Car Wash Supply, Anderson was a Senior Manager of Financial Reporting at Safety National, and before that, a Senior Auditor at Brown Smith Wallace. Earlier in his career, he worked with PwC as an Assurance Associate. Anderson graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Business, with an MAcc and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration.
15. Lisa Naeger
Chief Financial Officer, Helios Precision Tech
Lisa Naeger began her professional career 20 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Financial Officer of Helios Precision Tech, a company that offers instrument assemblies and sub-assemblies, R&D prototyping, and full-scale production products. It provides technologies such as Swiss-style CNC machining, VMC machining, laser welding, micro-medical component manufacturing, deburring, passivation, tumbling, and medical device sub-assemblies.
Naeger first started her career in 2003 as a CFO at MTS, her most recent position prior to joining Helios Precision Tech. She graduated from Maryville University of Saint Louis with an MBA in accounting and finance and from the University of Missouri-Columbia with an undergraduate degree in education and music.
16. Jason Janisse
Chief Financial Officer, First Bank
Jason Janisse is the Chief Financial Officer of First Bank. He first joined the company in 2017 as SVP and Chief Audit Executive. Founded in 1910, First Bank has been dedicated to serving its clients and local communities since day one. It has been around for over 100 years and knows the value of providing superior products, delivering quality service, and ensuring its clients have a consistent, personalized experience with them.
Previously, Janisse was a VP of Finance, Risk and Controls at Scottrade, and before that, a VP of Financial and Regulatory Reporting at Enterprise Bank & Trust. Earlier in his career, he worked with PwC as an Assurance Senior Manager. Janisse earned a master’s in accountancy from the University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business.
17. Gabrielle Lee
Market Chief Financial Officer, Acadia Healthcare
Gabrielle Lee is the Market Chief Financial Officer of Acadia Healthcare. As a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services in the United States and Puerto Rico, Acadia Healthcare operates 227 treatment facilities across 40 states. Its network of treatment facilities offers multiple levels of care for various behavioral health and substance use disorders. Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, Acadia Healthcare was established in January 2005 to develop and operate a network of behavioral health facilities across the country.
Lee began her career in 2011. Before joining Acadia Healthcare, she was a CFO at Old Vineyard Behavioral Health Services and before that, a CFO at UHS. Earlier in her career, she worked with Forest View Hospital as a CFO. Lee graduated from Western Governors University with a master’s in healthcare administration and management and from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
18. Timothy Tyler
Chief Financial Officer, Husch Blackwell
Timothy Tyler is the Chief Financial Officer of Husch Blackwell. With more than 20 offices across the US, including its virtual office, The Link, their diverse teams of attorneys can tap an ever-expanding collective knowledge base to quickly solve clients’ biggest challenges. As the leader overseeing all financial activities at the firm, Tyler plays a key role in Husch Blackwell’s growth and success. He is ultimately responsible for the integrity of financial information and systems for the firm and directs the firm’s overall financial policies. Tyler provides financial updates to the Executive Board and works closely with leadership across the firm to maximize opportunities that may influence the firm’s financial performance, achieve its strategic goals, and continue its ongoing growth trajectory.
With more than 30 years at the firm, Tyler possesses a historical perspective that helps create a bridge between the past and present. He finds it rewarding to see the firm expand its geographic footprint and achieve profitable growth while being an integral part of the leadership team. Tyler also continues to grow and learn in his own role as CFO. With the wisdom he has attained over the years, he mentors others at the firm to help them progress in their careers. Tyler graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with an undergraduate degree.
19. Piyush Agarwal
Chief Financial Officer, Central Bank of St. Louis
Piyush Agarwal is the Chief Financial Officer of Central Bank of St. Louis, a privately held $20 billion bank headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri, serving 13 markets in 8 states. It specializes in community banking, with a particular focus on delivering leading-edge technology through its network of more than 150 facilities operating around the nation, as well as more than 22,000 ATMs nationwide.
As CFO, Agarwal leads the finance and accounting functions for the Central Bank while working closely with the BoD and executive leadership team to define and execute key financial strategies for the company. Agarwal attended Mumbai University, specializing in Accounting before pursuing a degree in Chartered Accountancy. He then spent 15 years at JPMorgan’s Investment Banking division, working both internationally and in New York City, NY.
20. Michael Stolte
Chief Financial Officer, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Michael Stolte serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. With over 1,275 lawyers in 30 offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, it is a fully integrated global law firm that provides clients with connected legal advice, wherever and whenever they need it. Stolte oversees the accounting and finance needs for the firm’s domestic and international offices. He manages a department of 82 accounting professionals. The departments that report to him include Accounting IS, Accounts Payable, Billing, General Ledger, Reporting, and Tax.
Prior to joining the firm, Stolte held accounting and finance positions at Sherwood Medical Company and ITT Financial Corporation. Stolte graduated from the University of Missouri, St. Louis with an MBA and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration.
21. Jonathan Josendale
Chief Financial Officer, LaborMAX Staffing
Jonathan Josendale is the Chief Financial Officer of LaborMAX Staffing. He first joined the company in 2022 as the Director of Special Projects and Finance. LaborMAX Staffing is your reliable provider of quality pre-screened contingent workers. Annually, the company services more than 10,000 customers and puts approximately 20,000 people to work through their 40+ branches located in 14 states.
Previously, Josendale was a Controller at Garsite, and before that, a Senior Accounting Manager at Foutch Brothers. Earlier in his career, he worked with MALIN - A Raymond Company as an Accounting Supervisor. Josendale earned an MS and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of North Texas.
22. Justin Lienemann
Chief Financial Officer, Clayco
Justin Lienemann is the Chief Financial Officer of Clayco, 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. Clayco is an invaluable partner to support rapid growth and innovation, whether they are building a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical fulfillment facility or corporate office building. Clients could always count on the Clayco team to embody the “Beyond These Walls” mantra to collaboratively solve the most critical challenges.
Lienemann is responsible for the accounting, finance, treasury, tax, and corporate insurance functions for the Clayco operating businesses and serves as CFO for the Clayco Foundation and CCDI. Lienemann has over 20 years of financial leadership experience at Fortune 100 to venture-backed organizations across multiple industries. Before joining Clayco, Lienemann was first a client at Express Scripts. He earned his MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from Indiana University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
23. Scott Sabbert
Chief Financial Officer, Spire
Scott Sabbert is the Chief Financial Officer in Spire Marketing and Spire Midstream at Spire. The people at Spire believe energy exists to help make people’s lives better. It’s a simple idea, but one that’s at the heart of their company. Every day, the company serves 1.7 million homes and businesses, making it one of the largest publicly traded natural gas companies in the country. It helps families and business owners fuel their daily lives through their gas utilities serving Alabama, Mississippi, and Missouri. Sabbert has 29 years of experience and began his career in 1994.
Before joining Spire, Sabbert was a Director of Business Analysis and Planning at Solutia, and before that, a Plant Controller at Newell Rubbermaid. Earlier in his career, he worked with Great American Opportunities as a Sales Representative. Sabbert graduated from Gies College of Business - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with an MBA in Finance and Marketing and an undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism.
24. Phillip Shiver
Chief Financial Officer, CareCentrix
Phillip Shiver is the Chief Financial Officer of CareCentrix, leading the accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, tax compliance, purchasing, insurance, and real estate activities of the company. He initially joined CareCentrix in 2013 as Controller. Previously, he served as VP and Controller of Newport Television, a national private equity-backed media entity, from startup through an eventual liquidation event generating over $1.1 billion in sale proceeds.
Before Newport, Shiver held various Controller roles at a combination of private and publicly held companies, where he played a key role in multiple M&As and recapitalizations. He received both his Master of Accountancy and BS in Business Administration from the University of Alabama. He is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
25. Matt Lodes
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, ArchKey Solutions
Matt Lodes is the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for ArchKey Solutions and he also serves as CFO for ArchKey/Sachs, a top 10 national provider of installation, facilities services, and program management solutions for electrical, technologies, and specialty systems. With locations across the nation, the company is strategically positioned to deliver ‘The Power of Scale’ to customers, communities, and partners from coast to coast - helping them solve real challenges in new ways, scaling seamlessly to meet their needs, and identifying new opportunities to enrich lives through our work.
Before joining ArchKey Solutions, Lodes was a VP of Finance at 1st Choice Delivery and a Manager at BDO USA. He also worked with Steinberg Advisors as a Supervisor. Lodes started his career in 2010 as a Staff Accountant at Steinberg Advisors. He graduated from Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
