2019 Honorees

William P. Stiritz

The first CEO Prize was awarded to William (Bill) P. Stiritz, who served for more than 35 years in executive positions with Ralston Purina, including as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer from 1981–1997. He served as Chairman of Energizer and Ralcorp and CEO Agribrands and Post Holdings (current Chairman). He has also served on numerous company boards.

Over a 40-year period, Mr. Stiritz produced a 20 percent return for shareholders. It’s an extraordinary record.

Stiritz and his wife, Susan, have created two distinguished professorships at Washington University in St. Louis, where Susan is an Associate Professor of Practice at the Brown School.

Mr. Stiritz selected the non-profit organization Paraquad to receive a gift of $250,000. Located in St. Louis, MO, Paraquad has a mission to empower people with disabilities to increase their independence through choice and opportunity. The organization was selected by Mr. and Mrs. Stiritz because of their work to promote economic freedom and financial empowerment for St. Louis’s disabled community.