Meet 40 super achievers
St. Louis Business Journal
It was tough this year, whittling down an impressive list of more than 150 nominees to the final 40 winners.
The people profiled in this special section were picked for their accomplishments -- and they had to be age 39 or younger. Each of them showed both strong business performance and a commitment to the St. Louis community.
This is the seventh year that the St. Louis Business Journal has honored 40 outstanding individuals under age 40. Many of those listed in the past have gone on to even bigger achievements. You'll find all of their names listed on page 34.
A special thanks to our 40 Under 40 sponsors: Vertecon, Whitfield School and Washington University. Also, thanks to all of you who took time to nominate and supply information about co--workers, bosses, friends and relatives.
-- Connie Bye, Section Editor
Ed Alizadeh
President and chief executive
Geotechnology
By Marilyn Vise
Ed Alizadeh started college, unsure whether he wanted to become a doctor or an engineer. He just knew he loved science and math.
Today, he is president and chief executive of Geotechnology, an engineering and environmental services company in St. Louis founded by his father.
"It wasn't like there was a defining moment," Alizadeh said of his decision to become and engineer. "It was something that just evolved."
In 1984, he earned a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa. From there, he joined Schlumberger Well Services as a junior field engineer in the company's Colorado office. By 1985, he was an avid skier, working for Amoco Production Co. in Farmington, N.M.
Then in 1989, he got an offer he couldn't refuse: Come home and work for Geotechnology.
"I was in the process of being transferred to Denver," Alizadeh recalled. "Geotechnology was getting into environmental work, which I was really interested in."
Now, Alizadeh, 38, and Geotechnology are involved in projects such as building a new bridge across the Mississippi River, the MetroLink cross--county line and the expansion of Lambert--St. Louis International Airport.
"It's exciting work," he said. "With these types of projects, there are a lot of regulatory issues. We work to find solutions that allow the projects to move forward."
Since Alizadeh became president in 1996, Geotechnology has grown from 55 employees to more than 80 employees, and annual revenue has increased from $6.5 million to more than $10 million.
His secret: "I love creating an environment where good people can be excited about their jobs," he said. "We have to be able to attract the best people to attract the best clients."
Alizadeh is also active in the American Red Cross, United Way, Toys for Tots and St. Louis Ambassadors.
David Boudinet
Associate principal
IBM Global Services
By Marilyn Vise
Whether it's helping a customer work more efficiently or participating in an archeological dig, David Boudinet loves a challenge.
"I like to do things that challenge me, stretch my mind," said Boudinet, an associate principal at IBM Global Services. "I always like to try new activities."
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