Thousands of years ago, business was not conducted by phone or fax.  In biblical times, the spoken word was what sealed a deal and those oral agreements were as binding as our current laws.  A businessman was only as good as his word.  Ladies and gentlemen, tonight you will hear from a man whose words and whose story is as good as they come.

That’s because the way Dave Steward lives and does business is based on a philosophy more than 2000 years old.  They are lessons as relevant today as they were back in the day.  Dave models his leadership style after those great men and women in the bible who demonstrated that faith coupled with hard word equals success.  The stories are ones we all can learn from.  Even someone as great as Solomon knew to ask for wisdom. And, few can argue that Moses was the master at face-to-face negotiations!

The other day someone asked me who was my hero – my answer – Moses.  Moses was one of the most empowering leaders ever.  He was a risk taker and great motivator, humble, he was the commander in chief, the ultimate people’s representative, yet he never had a good day in his life because either the people were against him or God was mad at him.  But he persevered.       

Dave Steward’s life drew from the lessons of his faith to start up World Wide Technology in 1990.  He then empowered his employees to reach out for success.  And like the parable of the mustard seed, World Wide Technology is growing from good to great, a $2 billion plus company on the way to becoming even bigger.

In Romans we are reminded that all things work together for good for those whom trust in God.  Dave is trusting; he is a man of integrity.  Integrity is the heritage Dave Steward is passing on to the world through his achievements at World Wide Technology.  Tonight, I am pleased he is here to share that same lesson with us.  Ladies and gentlemen, please extend a warm Webster welcome to the chairman of World Wide Technology and Webster University trustee, Dave Steward.

"Webster must stay on the forefront of innovation by demonstrating the audacity and courage to see things differently. "

- Dr. Benjamin Akande