Laser Spine Institute Tampa Senior Vice President Uniquely Positioned to Address Community Needs

Laser Spine Institute Senior Vice President Jimmy St. Louis joined The Business Buddies Board in August 2010.  St. Louis is a graduate from Murray State University where he earned three master’s degrees in business, finance and telecommunications.  He is the 2009 International Telecommunications Education and Research Healthcare National Champion and in 2008 he was nominated for the Young Professional of the Year award.  In his current position, he oversees the strategic development, execution and operations of Laser Spine Institute.  He recently met with our social media department to discuss opportunities to increase the board’s presence in the Tampa Bay area, where he resides with his wife, Lauren.  

Laser Spine Institute: How would you define the purpose of Business Buddies?

Jimmy St. Louis:  We believe, along with Best Buddies, that there are many reasons for children with intellectual challenges to maintain a positive outlook. We have a full plate of initiatives underway—and our goal is to make them happen, as best we can.  Business Buddies has a tremendous knowledge base, and we are excited to tap into that.

Laser Spine Institute: How did you become involved with Business Buddies?

Jimmy St. Louis:  My interest in goes back to when I played college football, and my friends and I would visit children’s hospitals and talk with kids who were faced with challenges of all kinds.  To me, it was neat to see how excited these children were to interact with us, so I started developing an affinity towards helping them.  We decided to start a Special Olympic Program at the university, which helped encourage the kids to get excited about athletics and sports. 

Then I saw an opportunity to get involved with Business Buddies which is a strategic partner with Best Buddies, a cause to help out kids with intellectual challenges.  Business Buddies Tampa is affiliated with Business Buddies Florida, which is essentially a young professional networking group that helps bring young professionals together in the community to advance their careers.  All proceeds from these networking activities go back to Business Buddies. 

We are fortunate to have keen minds on the board.  There are seven members who sit in our board; their new thinking is valued and will benefit the organization in the years ahead.  Over its history, Business Buddies is also an organization that has proven to be progressive and adaptable to change. So that’s a great legacy to build on.  I am excited to be a part of it! 

Laser Spine Institute: What motivates you as a volunteer?

Jimmy St. Louis:  Having the opportunity to help the kids, and knowing that our actions are doing so is great.  Seeing these kids getting excited about their lives and having fun with Business Buddy Programs motivates me.  We’re in the midst of a transformation and the opportunity to grow, for sure.  Our communities are changing and offering many opportunities to contribute.

Laser Spine Institute: What are your personal dreams or aspirations that could be enhanced by your service with the Business Buddies board?

Jimmy St. Louis:  I’d like to see the board’s presence grow in our community and the entire Business Buddies program to grow nationwide.  Business Buddies has several groups throughout the country, and it is my understanding that Tampa is the largest one.  Creating a better connectivity from our knowledge base will help us realize what actually will contribute to our cause. 

I’d like to see our knowledge base grow as well.  Right now, Business Buddies is a way to connect young professionals, and I think some people may perceive us as another party scene.  My preference would be that people see us as a group of professionals who are ready and willing to contribute to the career advancement of others.  And, when they go out and spend money on these events, they spend money for the cause.  We are working on building networking opportunities like “Resume Reviews”, “CEO Roundtables”, member profiles and various professional awards that will benefit young professionals in our community.   I’d like people to understand that the proceeds from this organization are for a good cause and that young professionals spend money for a good cause.  

Laser Spine Institute: Of what importance to you is social interaction with other board members?

Jimmy St. Louis:  That’s another reason why I joined the board.  We have rising industry contributors and leaders actively involved in our board.  But there are areas where we can become even better to ensure that we continue to meet the community’s unique needs.  To me, it’s about interacting with people from different industries and different sectors, and learning from each other.  Our board is very dynamic and diverse.  In a company such as Laser Spine Institute, where we sit among subject matter experts in our industry, it has helped us to uniquely position ourselves as leaders in endoscopic spine surgery. Here in the Business Buddies board, we sit with subject matter experts with their unique histories and areas of expertise.  That is a very neat way to grow professionally.

Laser Spine Institute: As you think about your primary board roles - ambassador and advocate - in which role do you think you anticipate being most active?

Jimmy St. Louis:  As an advocate for the board, its cause and its efforts to find different ways to grow its presence.  I am glad that I have the opportunity to connect with other individuals who are truly dedicated to the mission of Business Buddies. 

For more information on Business Buddies, visit http://www.businessbuddiestampa.com.

For more information on Laser Spine Institute, visit http://www.laserspineinstitute.com.