David Steward
Founder and Chairman, World Wide Technology

David L. Steward founded World Wide Technology, Inc. (WWT) in 1990 with just 4,000 square feet of office space, tremendous perseverance and the desire to distribute computer hardware, software and services to the Federal Government. Under Steward’s leadership, WWT has grown from a small start-up to the leading supplier of advanced technology solutions to the U.S. Government, offering products from over 3,000 manufacturers around the world. Headquartered in St. Louis, with over 1,200 employees, along with more than 1.5 million-plus sq. ft. of facilities, WWT now ranks as one of the leading Cisco partners in North America and is a world-class organization approaching $3 billion in revenue with offices around the globe.

With over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Steward spends the majority of his time with WWT developing strategic supplier, customer and employee relationships. He plays a key role in WWT's pursuit of large contract bids within its industry specific operating companies. Steward also serves as Chairman of the Board for Telcobuy.com, an affiliate of WWT since 1997. Prior to starting WWT, Steward held various senior level management positions with Wagner Electric, Missouri Pacific Railroad and Federal Express Corporation. Steward holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Central Missouri State University.

World Wide Technology believes that a critical component of the strength of a community is the commitment that its resident businesses show towards that community. This belief is the foundation of WWT’s proactive involvement to the community and the reason Steward maintains longstanding commitments to an array of philanthropic organizations. Steward currently serves as the 2009 President of the Board of Directors of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis. He also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater St. Louis from 2006 through 2008. Steward received the National Urban League’s 2008 Business Pioneer Award; the St. Louis County Economic Council 2008 Dr. William D. Phillips Technology Award, presented to businesses and individuals applying science and technology to advance St. Louis’ global competitiveness and individual quality of life; and was also honored to write the Forward for the 2007-2008 edition of Who’s Who in Black St. Louis.

In addition, Steward serves on numerous committees and boards, including Civic Progress of St. Louis; the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association; The Regional Business Council; Webster University; St. Louis Science Center; United Way of Greater St. Louis Executive Committee; The Greater St. Louis Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, Harris-Stowe State University African American Business Leadership Council and more. Steward is also well-known for applying his strong faith to business. In 2004, Steward published DOING BUSINESS BY THE GOOD BOOK: Fifty-two Lessons on Success, Straight from the Bible with foreword written by former President George H. Bush. Also a devoted family man, Dave and his wife of 33 years, Thelma, have three adult children that include David II, Kimberly Steward Blackwell and son-in-law Jamil Blackwell.