Rich is a native of St. Louis, MO and graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School in 1965. He also earned his BS/BA in Marketing Management from Southeast Missouri State University and successfully completed his academics there in 1971. When he received his undergraduate degree he immediately joined Xerox Corporation in St. Louis where he started honing his innate sales, marketing and management skills. He spent seven successful years as a Area Sales Representative, Major Account Marketing Specialist, Branch Sales Training Manager and Area Sales Manager before he departed to start his own company. As a Sales Manager he had 12 direct reports, including ten sales reps, and had the responsibility of over 1,000 clients that billed over $6M annually with Xerox in 1977.

​

    In 1978 he entered the entrepreneurial arena, raised the required start-up investment capital and launched American Business Brokers, Inc. (ABB). The business model and plan was to become the first business brokerage firm in St. Louis to specialize in the appraisal and marketing of privately held businesses, plus open a chain of brokerage offices. With help from his partner and staff, Rich expanded by franchising the company's concept and sold, trained and opened twenty three franchise offices in the Midwest. He and his franchisees recruited, hired and trained over 200 employees and/or independent contractors that sold over 275 small businesses annually, which brought in over $4M in yearly commissions for the franchise network. After building the system, Rich sold out to a privately held firm located in St. Louis. As part of the purchase and sales agreement, he executed a one year contract to continue marketing ABB franchises and training their new staff and business brokers. Their were 29 franchisees when he finalized his term.

​

    At the beginning of 1981 he formed his current company, American Marketing Group, Inc. (AMG), which is a business development firm that specializes in business coaching, business brokerage, franchise consulting, business training. In 1982 he and his two partners launched the franchise expansion efforts of The Pasta House Co. Italian restaurant system in St. Louis and the Midwest.Nationally his company is best known for the franchise expansion of VR Business Brokers from 75 offices in the New England area to over 650 franchises in North America and helped them with their Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1985.Starting in 2005 his firm helped Information Protection Solutions of America(IPSA) package and launch a national expansion campaign effort. They expanded the company from one location headquartered in downtown Chicago to over 140 IPSA AAA licensed shredding plants in the U.S. IPSA's shareholders sold their stock to a publicly traded company in 2011.

​

    In 1985 AMG became the Founding Sponsor of the St. Louis 'Small Business Coalition', which changed its name to the U.S. 'Small Business Institute' when their Honorary Chairman and MO State Rep, Jack Buechner, was elected to the United States Congress for Missouri's 2nd. District. Rich was then appointed as the President and COO of the U.S. Small Business Institute (SBI), which has a group of experts who are experts and professional 'volunteers serving small businesses and charitable foundations' that need assistance to meet their financial goals, but simply can't afford it at this point in time.

​

    Starting in 1987 he began his eight year continuing education program and received his 'Fellowship in Entrepreneurial Studies' through St. Louis University's (SLU) Price-Babson College Fellows Program'. Because he had two great business partners, he was able to continue to operate his company while he donated his time to co-teach at SLU with the staff professors from 1987-1994 on nights and weekends in their undergraduate and MBA Program. He is currently a Team Teaching Member for Dr. Jerome Katz, who is the Chair for the SLU MBA Entrepreneurship program. Also, from 1987 thru 2009 he was a paid professor on staff at the St. Louis Community College and taught in their Continuing Education Program' working nights and weekends. His curriculum included courses such as Professional Selling Techniques, Creating a Business Plan, Performing a Business Appraisal, Buying or Selling a Business, Buying or Selling a Franchise, plus courses in both Advertising and Public Relations.

​

    On March 14, 2002 Rich was appointed by MO Governor Bob Holden as the President of the 1904 World's Fair Charitable Foundation, which is an all-volunteer public charity that hosted a variety of events in Forest Park to celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the 1904 World's Fair & III Olympics. Commencing in 2005 the group stayed intact and now raises funds for the Forest Park 'beautification program', the St. Louis Zoo and - most importantly - other local charities that need financial assistance.

​

    Rich truly believes in giving back to his community because he knows the old saying is true; "what goes around comes around in life." He's been involved as a volunteer founder, officer or board member in over thirty different business, civic, political and charity groups in the State of Missouri the local St. Louis Region that's raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for their specific causes. Because of this effort he understands the power of a 'team effort' and has set up a multitude of peer group advisory boards to help with the major fundraising events for the organizations he's worked with.

​

VOLUNTEERISM & ORGANIZATIONS

​

    Because he believes in volunteerism and helping groups that need assistance in the local community he has become very well connected in the St. Louis Region. Since 1981 he has served as a founder, officer, executive committee member or aboard member to a variety of not-for-profit organizations, a for-profit bank and was a candidate in a state-wide political campaign including the following:

​

1) Saint Louis Ambassadors - Board; 10 years

An organization set up by Mayor A.J. Cervantes in 1965 to be a 'public relations arm' and all-volunteer fundraising group for the City of St. Louis lead by the current and incumbent Mayor.

​

2) Missouri State Bank& Trust - Advisory Board; 3 years

Worked with 22 other entrepreneurs who were customers. As a board member we were to add on a 'new client' base and increase our financial institution's depositors and borrowers. Our ultimate goal was to help the banks shareholders fund its second location, which opened in 1984 on Hampton at Fyler.

​

3) Small Business Coalition (SBC) - Co-Founder & Chairman; 5 years

A diverse advocacy, networking and business support group with over 300 entrepreneurs that were active members in the St. Louis Metro Region.

​

4) Missouri Small Business Development Centers - State Chairman; 3 years

The 33 SBDC locations were set up by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Missouri to deliver up to date counseling, training and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management to current or potential small business owners. Plus, our experts worked with socioeconomically disadvantaged groups like veterans, women, and individuals with disability's. It's now named the MO Small Business &Technology Centers.

​

5) Southeast Missouri State University 'St. Louis Alumni Association':
    Co-Founder & President; 5 years

Launched the first alumni chapter in St. Louis for our university's 18,000+ alumni to host our state university entertainment and fundraising events.

​

6) Missouri Athletic Club - Member; 5 years

The MAC was founded in 1903 and is a traditional gentleman's club and athletic facility in Downtown St. Louis with a separate athletic campus in the St. Louis County suburb of Town and Country. It housed coaches and athletics for the ten week long St. Louis 1904 Summer Olympics, which was orchestrated by Washington University since it was the Administration Headquarters for the 1904 World's Fair that was held in Forest Park from April 30 to December 1, 1904.

​

7) 2004 St. Louis - Co-Founder and President; 4 years

Set up an 'all volunteer' organization of over 6,000 members, supporters and volunteers in Missouri to help promote hosting a 2004 Class-1 World's Fair, Olympic Games and High Speed Rail corridor between Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago to enhance economic growth, create new jobs and tourism for states.

​

8) Midwest High Speed Rail Association - Advisory Board; 3 years

Was appointed by the Founder and President, Joe Vranich, who was the best selling author of 'Super Trains', to serve as the volunteer 'Director of High Speed Rail' in the U.S. Midwest Region. My goal was to help promote the building of an all-electric, magnetically levitated, non-polluting, 350+ m/p/h fast and affordable 'Bullet Train' system that would connect Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago as the 'first transportation leg'. The ultimate goal was to enhance economic growth and development, create new jobs, boost tourism and give the mobile public an alternative mode of mass-transit for frequent travelers.

​

9) ''Pisani for Missouri Lt. Governor - '92" - Candidate; 2 years

Spent 22 months on the campaign trail throughout 94 counties in our state promoting a 2004 Class-1 World's Fair, Olympic Games and High Speed Rail project. The goal was to create economic growth and development in MO by creating new jobs and boosting tourism.

​

10) U. S. Small Business Administration - Advisory Board; 6 years

As the SBA, we offered information on how to get financial assistance with guaranteed loans, grants, bonds and business consulting to help existing and start-up entrepreneurs in order to create new jobs in our St. Louis Region. We set up and activated a special a program for entrepreneurs called the 'Service Corps of Retired Executives'(SCORE) to help establish a volunteer consulting group of retired and experienced corporate executives and successful entrepreneurs.

​

11) Regional Commerce &Growth Association - Board; 8 years

Was an executive committee member, board member, and Chairman of the RCGA's 'Small Business Council'. Our team helped promote jobs, tourism and economic growth and development for the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. During this period our team adopted a St. Louis Regional Area program that was named 'Try St. Louis...

Buy St. Louis' in an effort to encourage local businesses to do business with their peers in their own back yard. It worked very well and we boosted economic growth and development within our own city and its fifteen county region that houses 193K businesses, plus 2.8M residents.

 

12) St. Louis County League of Chambers - Board; 3 years

Worked with 21 St. Louis County 'Chambers of Commerce' to help promote jobs, tourism and economic growth and development in St. Louis County and its 94 city municipalities.

​

13) Step Up! St. Louis -Co-Founder and President; 3 years

Worked closely with our Co-Founder and Chairman, Mike Shanahan and twenty Advisory Board Members. We helped acquire corporate funding from Civic Progress companies and garnered support from hundreds of volunteers to help St. Louis City clean up abandoned neighborhood lots to create small parks and play grounds for the local families and their children.

​

14) Missouri Energy Care Foundation- Board; 3 years 

Hosted fundraising events to raise money to fund local St. Louis impoverished senior residents and their family members and pay utility bills to keep them safe.

​

15) The Alternative Board -Member & Guest Speaker; 2 years

Helped launch the first three 'peer group advisory boards' for local small and medium size business owners who were the prime decision maker for their firm. All entrepreneurs can use the group facilitator and its advisory board to help them solve problems, make better decisions and create a business plan to give them a road map to success in the future.

​

16) Heritage League Founders - Co-Chairman and Board; 3 years

Helped lead a 'planned giving program' for the American Cancer Society (ACS) with 20 board members made up of tax attorneys, CPA's and financial advisors. They would help establish a 'Charitable Remainder Trust' for the donor, which is a tax-wise funding mechanism for the client and donor that would also help ACS by providing more money for on-going cancer research, especially the Siteman Cancer Center housed at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital complex.

​

17) Judevine Center for Autism -Event Co-Chair; 4 years

Helped the founder, Louis Judevine Blackwell, by co-chairing four 'Annual Festival of Trees Gala & Auction' to help raise funds for research that one day will cure autism.

​

18) Support Dog's for the Handicapped - Board; 3 years

Helped host events to raise funds that would help secure professionally trained 'Service Dogs' for individuals with handicaps.

​

19) Inventors Association of St.Louis - President; 3 years

Chaired monthly meetings with patent attorneys and invention advisors to provide legal, accounting, marketing and business planning advice from experts at no charge for individuals that wanted patent, copyright and trademark protection for their unique ideas and new inventions.

​

20) 'A Taste of Italy' - Event Co-Chair; 9 years

Originally our group used this 'Italian Style' themed gala and auction for the American Cancer Society to help them raise money for cancer research. Then, in 2004, our 1904 World's Fair Charitable Foundation took over this popular event to raise funds for the Forest Park 'beautification program', the St. Louis Zoo and other local St.Louis charity's that need financial support.

​

21) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation -Board; 3 years

Lead the planning and hosting of fundraising events to raise the necessary dollars for research to help cure CF.

​

22) Missouri Merchants &Manufacturers Association - Board; 3 years

Worked with our Executive Director and board of directors lobbying the Missouri State Legislative Branch. We did this in order to help sponsor and support legislation that would have a positive impact on small and medium size businesses throughout our metropolitan area, as well as our state.

​

23) Multiple Sclerosis Society -Board; 2 years

Spearheaded fundraisers to benefit research that will one day help cure MS.

​

24) Arthritis Foundation Telethon- Event Co-Chair; 1 year

Helped plan and host this important annual fundraiser to raise funds for research that will eventually help find a cure for victims of this painful disease.

​

25) Kilo Diabetes & Vascular Research Foundation - Board; 3 years

Helped host fundraising events to raise much needed funds to conduct research that will one day help find the cause and cure of both vascular diseases, juvenile diabetes and type l/2 diabetes.

​

26) Squires & Ladies Charitable Foundation - President; 3 years

Recruited and activated individuals in our St. Louis Region to volunteer their time to help support events that would benefit other local charities.

​

27) 1904 World's Fair Charitable Foundation - Co-Founder and President; 2002 to current

Launched an effort in March of 2002 to establish an 'all volunteer' group with over 5,700 members, supporters and donors to host 'grass roots' events at Forest Park in 2004 to celebrate the '100 Year Anniversary' of the 1904 World's Fair & III Olympics. Currently, our organization continues onward with a very diverse group of local and grass-root individuals who raise money for the Forest Park 'beautification program', the St. Louis Zoo and other qualified local charities.

​

28) Marlin Perkins Society - Member; 2011 to present

In 1991, the Marlin Perkins Society was formed in honor of one of our Zoo's great directors as a way to recognize those individuals, corporations and foundations who generously support the Zoo with an annual gift of $1,000 or more.

​

29) YMCA - St. Louis City Branch- Board Member; 3 years

Our mission was to place Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, especially young men. 

​

30) Christian Business Men's Council - Student; 2011 to current

Bible Study is a very wonderful and complicated spiritual walk. The group helps me interpret and understand the Bible, as well as establish my priorities in life.

​

31) STL 250 - Board Member; 2011 to present

Am part of a prestigious group of 250 'core group' St. Louisans that will help plan and host the major events to celebrate the 250th. Anniversary of the City of St. Louis in the year 2014. I have the honor of Co-Chairing their St. Louis Ambassadors 'Speakers Bureau' with Cicardi Bruce, whereby we and our team give 20 minute presentations to get the word out to over 300 service clubs (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis and Optimist), plus the local Chambers of Commerce in the St. Louis Metro Region that is home to over 2.8M residents and 193K businesses.

​

30) The Adoption Exchange -Board; 2012 to present

Am a board member of this group and assist in holding fundraising events to help the children who are in the Missouri Foster Care Program find parents who will legally adopt them and give these special-needs kids a 'forever home'.

​

32) St. Louis University's 'Center for Entrepreneurial Studies' -Teaching Team Member; 2012 to present

Once again joined Dr. Jerome Katz to help students in the SLU Entrepreneurship classes as a Teaching Team Member to help his students develop a business plan, which is a requirement in the MBA program. 

​

33) U.S. Small Business Institute: President; 1985 to present

AMG is the 'Founding Sponsor' of the U.S. Small Business Institute (SBI) since 1985 and has SBI 'Business Advisors' that can give business counseling to entrepreneurs and their top-tier executives at no charge, as long as they have less than 250 full time employs and are experiencing a financial hardship during these uncertain recessionary times. You can learn more about our SBI program that 'supports the growth and the development of small businesses' at www.us-smallbusinessinstitute.com. Also, since both AMG and its SBI program are staunch supporters of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) you can access information on a variety of topics for your company at their site, including the creation of a business plan, at www.sba.gov.

​

34) Saint Louis Ambassadors: President; present

On October 28, 1965 the Mayor of the City of St. Louis, A.J. Cervantes, hosted a public ceremony for tens of thousands of its locals citizenry in Missouri and Illinois and millions who viewed the finalization of the massive construction project on national television of the completion of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which is best known as the 'St. Louis Arch'. Upon the placement of the final piece into the very top and center of the two symmetric legs of this one-of-a-kind spellbinding monument depicting mankind's westward expansion of the United States of America Mayor Cervantes and his team of supporters launched the Saint Louis Ambassadors and you can view the details on our new site at http://www.saintlouisambassadors.com. This diverse group of individuals came from all walks of life and was establishes as an all-volunteer organization to specifically promote the City of St. Louis as a 'great place to live and work'. In fact, the group seized the role as the new 'public relations arm' for the city to help regenerate both its citizenry and commerce. On January 4, 2014 the group expanded its mission to include the promotion, education and awareness of the amenities of the entire St. Louis Region, which was given birth by Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau in 1764 as a new fur trading center. In the past 250 years the City of St. Louis has expanded and surrounded itself with 15 counties on both sides of the Mighty Mississippi River in both Missouri and Illinois, is now home to 2.8M residents, houses 193K businesses and supports over 1K charitable foundations. Two local community supporters, Rich Pisani and Cicardi Bruce, are now the President and Chairman respectively of the organizations new 'regional effort' and will work closely with other regional groups to promote the entire area. The Saint Louis Ambassadors are preparing for their '50th. Anniversary' on October 28, 2015, as well as eagerly supporting their new community service project, which is helping launch the Saint Louis Sun Online!, LLC, which is a resurgence of the St. Louis Sun that was a tabloid publication in the late eighties and early nineties. This new digital publication will help promote community service and goodwill throughout the entire St. Louis Region powered by volunteerism.

​

36) Saint Louis Sun Online!, LLC: Editor-in-Chief; present

On September 18, 2014 American Marketing Group, Inc. (AMG) established a new division for their firm, which is the Saint Louis Sun Online!, LLC. This was registered under the official charter #: LC001419056for review by the public. This new digital publication will be a re-launch and re-branding of the old St. Louis Sun, which was launched with $20M from Ingersoll Publications in St. Louis, MO in 1989. Rich is the President & COO of AMG, as well as the new Editor-in-Chief of AMG's new publication...the Saint Louis Sun.

The Sun also operates The Trinity Tribune and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat internet-based online newspapers, as well as the new Ferguson, USA 'Hot Talk Radio', which is located in the Greater St. Mark Family Church in Ferguson, St. Louis, MO.

​

37) Christian Business Men's Connection (CBMC): Member and PR Volunteer

When I turned 64 on March 3, 2011 I realized that what's important in this life is having a solid relationship with my Creator, so I joined CBMC's weekly Bible Study & Operation Timothy program. Being born and raised as a Catholic I always believed in God and 'Life After Life', but had never read the Bible. As I have found in my studies now "it's not about this short lifespan on earth...it's about the next infinite life in heaven." Plus, "it's not about me...it's about Jesus." My goal is to lend my God-given talent, ability and skills to promote a spiritual journey for individuals and disciple others who need to find their way to the Lord.

​

Volunteerism in the Media

​

1) KDNL TV-30's 'Financial Observer' - Commentator; 1.5 years

Rich volunteered his time and hosted this live television program every Friday from noon to 1 pm for eighteen months during 1981-1982 as a 'public service' to KDNL's viewers. He interviewed guests on his show that included local successful entrepreneurs, small business capital investors,bankers, Small Business Administration loan guarantee specialists, start-up business owners, business sellers/buyers, franchisors/franchisees, business contract attorney's, small business accountants, business consultants and business mentors and coaches. The goal was to educate the viewing audience about the 'risk and reward' of starting, owning and operating their own business or franchise and the need to surround themselves with experts and professionals that would increase your chances of success. This donated time gave Rich professional credibility and had a positive 'public relations' impact on his company, American Business Brokers, Inc.

​

2) St. Louis Small Business Monthly - Columnist; 3 years

From 1990 thru 1993 Rich with the papers owner, Katie Muchnick, and volunteered his time and wrote a monthly column for this small business newspaper that highlighted local successful entrepreneurs, small business capital investors, bankers, Small Business Administration loan guarantee specialists, start-up business owners, business sellers/buyers, franchisors/franchisees, business contract attorney's, small business accountants, business consultants and business mentors and coaches. Again, the goal was to educate their readers about the 'risk and reward' of starting, owning and operating their own business or franchise and the need to surround themselves with experts and professionals that would increase their chances of success. This donated time gave Rich professional credibility and had a positive 'public relations' impact on his company, American Marketing Group, Inc.

​

3) WCEO Radio-590 AM - Co-Anchor; 1 year

In 1990 Rich volunteered his time for a 15 minute morning drive time radio segment and Co-Hosted a local business radio call-in talk show with Host, Paul Clayton. He and Paul Clayton opened the phone lines as they interviewed politicians, local successful entrepreneurs, small business capital investors, bankers, Small Business Administration loan guarantee specialists,start-up business owners, business sellers/buyers, franchisors/franchisees,business contract attorney's, small business accountants, consultants and business mentors and coaches. As always, the goal was to educate the listening audience about the 'risk and reward' of starting, owning and operating their own business or franchise and the need to surround themselves with experts and professionals that would increase their chances of success. This donated time gave Rich professional credibility and had a positive 'public relations' impact on his company, American Marketing Group, Inc.

​

AWARDS& HONORS:

​

• 1973: Xerox Corporation; Area Sales Representative 'Presidents Club'

• 1975: Xerox Corporation; Branch Sales Training Manager 'Award for Excellence'

• 1977: Xerox Corporation; Area Sales Manager 'Award for Leadership'

• 1987: U.S. Small Business Administration; "MO Small Business Man of the Year"

• 1991: Missouri Small Business Development Centers; 'Roast & Toast' Honoree

• 1992: Regional Commerce & Growth Association; 'Pacesetter of the Year' Award

• 1998: American Cancer Society; 'Award for Fundraising Excellence'

• 2000: Southeast Missouri State University; 'Southeast Salutes!' Alumni Award

• 2002: Step Up! St. Louis; '20th. Anniversary Co-Founder' Honoree

• 2006: Monument Recognition; As the co-founder and president of the 1904 World's Fair Charitable Foundation since March 14, 2002, Rich's name, along with the organizations officers, advisory board members and honorary board of directors, is engraved on a Mayoral Proclamation's brass plate and permanently affixed to a granite monument and anchored in the World's Fair Pavilion. This all- volunteer public charity is being continually recognized for hosting major family events in Forest Park during 2004 to celebrate the "100 Year Anniversary of both the 1904 World's Fair & III Olympics". This charity continues to support the Forest Park 'beautification program', the St. Louis Zoo and other local charities with their fundraising. a paragraph. Click once to begin entering your own content. You can change my font, size, line height, color and more by highlighting part of me and selecting the options from the toolbar.

• 2010: 1904 World's Fair Charitable Foundation; 'Lifetime Achievement Award'. This was an especially significant honor because it was awarded by my peer group for the donation of my time, effort, energy and money in the civic and charity arena in the St. Louis area since 1981.

• 1981-Current: Received eleven Proclamations, Declarations and/or Resolutions for 'Volunteer Civic & Community Service' recognition from the Governor of Missouri, Lt. Governor of Missouri, Missouri State Senate, Missouri House of Representatives, St. Louis County Executive and the St. Louis City Mayor.

​

MAIN INTERESTS & HOBBIES:

​

Main Interests:

God, Family, Friends, Charity, Business, Politics and Current Affairs.

Hobbies (past to present):

Swimming, Fishing, Hunting, Baseball, Football, Water Skiing, Cars, Motor Cycling, Boating, Traveling, Snow Skiing, Scuba Diving, RV Camping, Political News, Movies and Charity Volunteering.