Stacey Kamps

CEO
Koch Development

Location: St. Louis, MO
Founded: 1920
Industry: Commercial Real Estate and Amusement Attractions

Life has been a ride for Stacey Kamps.

As CEO of Koch Development Co. and president of SkyWheel Attractions, Kamps provides strategic direction and operational leadership for a diversified family-owned commercial real estate firm and its amusement attractions division. Diligent and focused on success, Kamps said throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to witness several leaders of all types and all backgrounds.

“One of the greatest leadership lessons that those observations have taught me is that the leaders who are more successful invest time in their company culture including the obvious networking opportunities as well as also building and nurturing the team mentality and getting to know their employees, board members, investors, consultants,” Kamps said. “Investing in your company culture and the people who are necessary for its success invites a positive and powerful energy including the desire to strive to do better for the company that directly impacts the bottom line.”

Before leading a landlord-tenant and tourism-based company, and serving as a fiduciary confidant to the Koch family business, Kamps started her career serving clients directly at Arthur Andersen, then moved to a consumer-facing company at Charter Communications. In each case, Kamps has helped build and lead team cultures based on relationships, team collaboration, proactiveness, positivity and diligence. The consistent thread in her professional career is her strong accounting foundation, amplified by her decades of experience in finance.

Kamps sees an opportunistic vision for its future as it grows the performance of both its commercial real estate and amusement attractions industries. To capitalize on this vision, she said the company will focus on several initiatives including building strategic value and utilization.

“I found new ways to connect, to give employees flexibility in how they get their work done in order to feel personally and emotionally safe, and underscored the importance of taking care of families first,” she said.

Though she has never sought the glory of awards, she has been acknowledged for her achievements. Selected as the national Real Estate Forum 2021 Women of Influence for her business, professional, civic and charitable leadership, this recognition highlighted her inventive approaches to operations and relationships, keen financial acumen, creative flair, and deep concern and care for her team.

Additionally, Kamps was honored by the St. Louis Business Journal with a 2021 Family Business Award as an outstanding model of a third-generation business that has successfully transitioned to non-family leadership. She serves on the company’s Board of Directors and its Executive Oversight Committee and leads the Koch Family Office. Kamps added that above all else, she is most proud of leading Koch Development and its team.

“In order for myself to continue to remain influential and an industry leader, I plan to be diligent in my delivery of the goals as set out by my company and its board of directors that I report to,” she said. “To do so, I will continue to lead a great team of commercial real estate and amusement attraction employees that have a desire to do their best.”

She also plans to continue to be a thought leader that brings accretive strategies and opportunities to the company and invest her time in participating in industry and community organizations. “I will continue to be passionate about networking within and outside of the commercial real estate and amusement attractions industries to build relationships that foster collaboration and growth for all,” she said. As for her ride through life, with these goals set, Kamps and her team had better buckle up.

She also plans to continue to be a thought leader that brings accretive strategies and opportunities to the company and invest her time in participating in industry and community organizations.

“I will continue to be passionate about networking within and outside of the commercial real estate and amusement attractions industries to build relationships that foster collaboration and growth for all,” she said.

As for her ride through life, with these goals set, Kamps and her team had better buckle up.