The Board of Commissioners of Explore St. Louis has announced the appointment of Robert Wallace, the organization’s longstanding attorney, as interim president effective August 12, 2024. Wallace will take a leave of absence from Thompson Coburn where he is a partner and chairs the firm’s Sports Law Group.
“We’re excited to welcome Bob in this interim capacity and will benefit from his deep understanding of the organization as well as stakeholders throughout the community,” said commission chair, Steve O’Loughlin. “Bob will transition into the interim role starting now and will serve until a new president is selected as a result of our national search.”
According to Wallace, “I’m honored to step into this important role as the board conducts their national search and look forward to contributing to the economically vital work the Explore St. Louis staff is engaged in. I’ve been representing Explore St. Louis for more than a decade and also worked with the organization for years in my prior role with the St. Louis Rams. Combined, these experiences allow me to contribute to our mission from day one.”
“As a full-service law firm, we are pleased to help clients through transitional periods in numerous ways. In that spirit, the firm is happy to be able to assist the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission by lending them Bob’s valuable insights and experience during their leadership change,” Thompson Coburn chair Roman Wuller said.
Searchwide Global, a worldwide hospitality industry executive recruiter, is engaged to conduct a search for a new president in collaboration with the commission and City and County stakeholders.