What qualities do you expect to see in a highly effective leader?
One the capacity to have a vision that drives what ever mission they’re dedicated to whether it be private sector, public sector, or non-profit. And then, number two, the ability to attract and motivate people to help carry it out. But, the ability to see the big picture, and have a sense of what it takes to accomplish those goals, and then to motivate people, to drive people, to accomplish those goals are the biggest things a leader needs to have. -Joe Cavato(37sec)
Joe Cavato, Senior Vice President, Community Program Develpment Corporation
LSL Class of 1977-78
Joe Cavato has made a career of working in and out of the public sector -- heading St. Louis County's Planning Department and arranging public financings as an investment banker with A.G. Edwards and Banc of America Securities. He had a role in helping finance giant projects such as MetroLink, the St. Louis Convention Center and numerous housing developments here and around the country.
Currently, Cavato is the Senior Vice President of the Community Program Development Corporation working on real estate development activities involving affordable housing, redevelopment and finance. He also has responsibilities of program management for housing, community and economic development programs, and client management for government, non profit agencies and private corporate relationships.
When Cavato was the Managing Director of St. Louis Public Finance Group Banc of America, he secured financing for MetroLink's cross-county light rail expansion, with $320 million in bonds. Cavato headed the sales tax reform in St. Louis County in the 1990s as the Director of Planning and Public Policy for St. Louis County Government by changing the way sales tax revenue is divided between richer cities collecting from shopping centers and the rest of the cities.
Cavato grew up in North County and went to St. Louis University High School and Saint Louis University and received his MBA at Notre Dame.
Return to Profiles in Leadership Archive