Ronda L. Sauget
President

Ronda L. Sauget, MBA, started Validus Business Strategies LLC, in 2006. The firm is designed to work with clients to competitively position the client's firm or organization for success through the development of comprehensive corporate strategies, incorporating competitive intelligence and market research. After the implementation of a strong corporate plan is achieved, the firm will be well positioned for success in its industry segment. Validus Business Strategies is noted for its ability to help companies to qualify for economic development initiatives and other federal, state, and local incentive programs.

Ms. Sauget received her M.B.A. with B.S.B.A in Finance and Marketing from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a minor in Mathematics/Statistical Analysis (A.S.) from Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois. Currently Ms. Sauget is attending the doctorial program at Webster University. Ms. Sauget has achieved many awards and recognition for her work and professional participation.

With over twenty years of experience, Ms. Sauget has an extensive background in executive management, corporate strategy development, corporate finance, communications strategies, executive leadership training, system operations, strategic marketing/planning, competitive positioning, market intelligence, political outreach, market research, media relationships, environmental planning, systems training, and client service.

As the Corporate Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications for Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF) System, Ms. Sauget coordinated the competitive positioning and corporate strategy for the foundation to unite its three organizations into one overall organization with a conceptual theme of "One team, operating with one mission, speaking with one voice, and it all starts with you! Come join our team and journey into the future of healthcare with us! Together we can continue to make a difference!" The combined SIHF System ranks as the 9th largest employer in the Metro East with more than 1,400 employees and 300 participating physicians. The SIHF System is comprised of two hospitals, Kenneth Hall Regional and Touchette Regional Hospitals, and twenty-five federally qualified health centers. Ms. Sauget is instrumental in successfully developing and implementing a strategic marketing and communications plan for the SIHF System, including corporate strategy development, financial funding, media relations, community activities, internal/external communications, contract negotiations, brand/reputation management, executive leadership training, marketing strategies, public relations, speech writing, interactive/Web design/graphics/multi-media, marketing research (questionnaire design, competitive intelligence activities, executive interviewing, focus groups, and market research analysis), crisis management, litigation support, public opinion evaluation, and public affairs/government/agency outreach.

Working in the consulting position of corporate strategist, Ms. Sauget has worked with Midcoast Aviation (a division of Jet Aviation) to build and enhance the aviation industry in the State of Illinois. Midcoast Aviation grew its expertise and operations by providing modification services to major aircraft companies, such as British Aerospace, Falcon Jet, and Israeli Aircraft. As Midcoast Aviation's reputation continued to grow in the industry, so did its base of high end clients, which resulted in becoming the exclusive partner for Bombardier. Midcoast's 1,400 aviation professionals, extensive facilities and depth of proven performance all add up to top-notch service for the top-tier aircraft. In 2006, Midcoast Aviation was acquired by Jet Aviation based in Switzerland. As part of a worldwide network, Midcoast began looking for expansion sites in North America, which did not include sites in the State of Illinois. Due to the aircraft friendly business environment, Arizona, Texas and Arkansas were top potential site locations. The State of Illinois was not viewed as being a friendly aircraft industry environment by Jet Aviation due to the lack of financial incentives to downstate companies and antiquated aircraft industry laws. With only 10 business days, Ms. Sauget created a team of top aviation regional industry professionals (including Col. Bob McDaniel, Jenny Nixon, Col. Leonard Griggs, and Col. Tim Cantwell) and Illinois DCEO Director Jack Lavin to develop a competitive proposal for the Midcoast and Jet Aviation Board of Directors to consider. The proposal included over $5.1M in financial incentives, $750,000 ramp expansion funding, workforce training grants and other local TIF incentives. This opportunity was the first time St. Louis Downtown and MidAmerica Regional Airports participated in a joint proposal. Additionally, Ms. Sauget led an effort to change aircraft legislation in the State of Illinois that had been plaguing the growth of the industry for years. Working with Senator James Claybourne, Jr. and Rep. Dan Reitz, she helped draft Senate Bill 455 in late 2006 and testified before the Illinois Senate Revenue Hearing Committee on behalf of Midcoast Aviation in early 2007. After extensive political outreach, SB 455 was signed into law on August 20, 2007. This effort has helped aviation companies in the State of Illinois to become more competitive on a world-wide scale and attract new business to the state. Working in coordination with Southwestern Illinois College, technical colleges, and local high schools, Ms. Sauget is currently developing a world-class workforce network for aviation recruitment and training programs.

As a founding member and executive director, Ms. Sauget was instrumental in the development of Archview Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) writing the 501(c) 3 organizational structure, developing mission/vision/values, creating the board of directors, implementing project budgets, and setting yearly objectives. AEDC was originally created to serve the underserved communities of Centreville, Cahokia, Dupo, East Carondelet, and Sauget, by building a strong community fiber focused on networking and integrating business, healthcare, and education resources in the regional area. Over 60 of the area’s top companies participate in AEDC from an expanded regional area including Granite City, East St. Louis, Belleville, Columbia, and other communities. As one of AEDC achievements, Ms. Sauget, in coordination with Upchurch Concrete Company, Shawnee Community College, and East St. Louis Community College, developed a new construction and concrete driver program geared to attracting and training local workforce for jobs in the area. AEDC members identified a significant need for a qualified workforce that was unmet. Since the program began, over 500 people have been placed in construction and concrete positions. For the past seven years, AEDC hosts an annual career fair with over 500 high school juniors from local high schools located in underserved communities (Cahokia, Dupo, East Carondelet, Centreville, Alorton, and other surrounding communities). Held at the Gateway Grizzlies Stadium, the annual career fair lets AEDC business members discuss job opportunities in the local area, education requirements, salary expectations, etc. Local colleges, labor unions, military representatives, and workforce investment boards also participate in the event. AEDC emphasizes the importance of staying in school, making good grades, and graduating in good standing because our area has many technical positions where students can work, live, and grow in our communities.