Mark Peterman
CORNERSTONE SOLUTIONS
GROUP
Website: www.csgsolutions.com
Industry: custom software solutions
Education: BS Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan; MBA, Washington University
Family: Wife, Nancy; and children, Sam, 18; and Ashley, 14
What is your mission?
To provide best in class high-value software solutions to our clients.
What lead you to your industry?
I’ve always had an intense interest in technology. I was attracted to the ability to solve problems and I love B2B services. I find every client situation is unique but solvable; the more difficult, the more fun.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
We added to our rich talent base by hiring some amazing software engineers. We also strengthened our operational practices and we’ve been focused on the vertical markets where we are at our very best: healthcare, oil and gas, financial, marketing services and manufacturing.
Who is your industry role model?
Brian Carlin, who founded Cornerstone Solutions Group nearly 25 years ago. Brian set in motion the mission and core values of the company. He taught us to treat clients, prospects and teammates with the utmost respect and to create a rich learning environment and a quality workplace for the entire team.
Your software solves major issues within businesses. What drew you to do this?
It’s absolutely a blast to take on an issue without a solution and utilize the collective expertise of our software team to simply solve it. Companies are swimming in an expanding universe of data and we love helping them to harness that power and make sense of it all. We have a passion for solving really difficult problems.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
It’s tricky to stay focused where we provide the most value for our clients. The smart and creative people who work at Cornerstone can do so many things. Sticking to our core is important in maintaining the solid reputation we’ve earned over the last 25 years.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a problem-solver for clients?
We love when customers challenge us with issues they didn’t believe could be solved with a custom solution at a reasonable price. We love seeing the gratification on their faces when they realize they won’t have to deal with that pain any longer.
What’s the overall best part of your job?
I love working with really talented people, hitting home runs regularly for clients, and having fun along the way.
What best advice would you share with new entrepreneurs?
Absolutely pursue something for which you have passion. It’s extremely rewarding to pursue a goal and achieve it. But behind that goal should be a very detailed plan. You have to immerse yourself in the business in order to build success.
What’s your favorite place in St. Louis?
My wife and I spend a lot of time on the sidelines of soccer games and basketball courts watching our kids enjoy this special time in their lives.
What has made you successful in your industry and in St. Louis?
You mean other than my wife’s patience and support? Nearly 25 years of great solutions and how great work generates referrals in a city like St. Louis. We’re so proud of the companies with whom we’ve worked. We’re proud of our history and our body of work. n
Submitted 9 years 214 days ago