In this episode of Fast Forward STL, host Keith Alper sits down with Rusty Keeley, CEO of Keeley Companies and new chairman of the Regional Business Council. Keeley shares how he grew his father’s asphalt paving business into a diversified empire topping 5,000 employees, employing a “fail fast, fail forward” philosophy and people-first culture. The discussion tackles some of St. Louis’ biggest challenges head-on: the city’s cop shortage, misleading crime statistics, the impact of a city-county merger, and a compelling case for embracing data centers. Keeley challenges civic leaders to think like entrepreneurs: move faster and worry less about barriers. Watch on YouTube, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.

This episode is sponsored by Capes Sokol, a St. Louis–based law firm trusted by business leaders and decision-makers navigating growth, change, and risk. Their attorneys advise companies on business operations, real estate, litigation, and strategic planning, always with a practical, business-minded approach. Capes Sokol helps leaders make confident, informed decisions at every stage. Learn more.

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Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.

You may also enjoy these articles from SLM:
How Keeley Companies combines employee input and expertise to make a difference
St. Louis Magazine‘s latest business coverage
More podcasts from St. Louis Magazine
Subscribe to St. Louis Magazine‘s Business newsletter

In this episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/">Fast Forward STL,</a>&nbsp;host Keith Alper sits down with Rusty Keeley, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.keeleycompanies.com/">Keeley Companies</a>&nbsp;and new chairman of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlrbc.org/">Regional Business Council</a>. Keeley shares how he grew his father&rsquo;s asphalt paving business into a diversified empire topping 5,000 employees, employing a &ldquo;fail fast, fail forward&rdquo; philosophy and people-first culture. The discussion tackles some of St. Louis&rsquo; biggest challenges head-on: the city&rsquo;s cop shortage, misleading crime statistics, the impact of a city-county merger, and a compelling case for embracing data centers. Keeley challenges civic leaders to think like entrepreneurs: move faster and worry less about barriers. Watch on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL">YouTube</a>, and listen on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa">Spotify</a>, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.
This episode is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://capessokol.com/">Capes Sokol</a>, a St. Louis&ndash;based law firm trusted by business leaders and decision-makers navigating growth, change, and risk. Their attorneys advise companies on business operations, real estate, litigation, and strategic planning, always with a practical, business-minded approach. Capes Sokol helps leaders make confident, informed decisions at every stage.&nbsp;<a href="http://capessokol.com/">Learn more.</a>
New to podcasts?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/">Follow these instructions</a>&nbsp;to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing!
Want more?&nbsp;Check out all of&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/">podcasts</a>.
You may also enjoy these articles from&nbsp;SLM:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/business/keeley-companies-cares-corporate-citizenship/">How Keeley Companies combines employee input and expertise to make a difference</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/business/">St. Louis Magazine&lsquo;s latest business coverage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://stlmag.com/podcasts">More podcasts from&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine</a></li>
<li><a href="https://info.stlmag.com/st-louis-business-newsletter">Subscribe to&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&lsquo;s Business newsletter</a></li>
</ul>

Fast Forward STL is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, “I didn’t know that.” From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city’s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.

Fast Forward STL&nbsp;is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know that.&rdquo; From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city&rsquo;s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.