Stacey Kamps, CFO, Keeley Capital
Stacey Kamps recently became the CFO of Keeley Capital. In her leadership role, Stacey manages a suite of family office services for several generations of the Keeley Family while also serving as the Family’s financial quarterback. Stacey works closely with the Presidents and CFOs of all Keeley operating companies on financial strategy and execution, is a key member of the company’s M&A platform, and provides additional leadership to the entire Keeley investment portfolio.
Throughout her career, Stacey has been a valued resource for solid and creative strategic counsel rooted in financial expertise. Her value of expertise is concentrated in four key areas: Finance/Accounting Strategies to Facilitate Growth; M&A and Team Integration; Family Business Leadership; and Operations.
Stacey has been recognized by many esteemed organizations for her contributions. She is the proud recipient of the 2022 St. Louis Titan 100 award and the Real Estate Forum’s 2021 Woman of Influence. She also sits on numerous boards providing her expertise including Children’s Hospital Development Board, Commercial Real Estate for Women St. Louis Board, Community School Board of Trustees, Hoffmann Brothers Advisory Board, St. Louis Forum Board, and The Bank of Missouri Board.
Q: When did you decide to get into the commercial real estate industry? Was it always your focus?
A: Actually my professional focus has always been rooted in numbers, transactions and strategy execution. I started my career in the public accounting industry with a focus on providing consulting services to clients which led to an opportunity to work in M&A and Finance for a large publicly owned company. In my early 30s I was recruited by a mentor to join the commercial real estate industry as CFO. Today, I am CFO of Keeley Capital working closely with Keeley Properties and Keeley Construction.
Q: What are some of the things you love about your job?
A: What I love about my job are the people, the challenges and successfully accomplishing a goal. Funny thing is that I love to work and could not ever imagine retiring – seriously!
Q: What is your CREW-St. Louis origin? When did you join? Why did you become a member?
A: I started in the commercial real estate industry with Koch Development in January 2011 without knowing anything about the industry. I had a strong desire to learn more about the industry including networking with others who made this industry tick. I was introduced to CREW St. Louis by a male colleague and officially joined in early 2012. I joined the Awards Committee a few years later which was so transformative for my CREW experience – I made several new friends; started doing personal and professional activities with them within and outside of CREW; and started attending more CREW programs and events that were unique, diverse, informative and offered a lot of networking.
Q: What was the first CREW event you attended and what were your impressions?
A: I don’t remember the first CREW event that I attended but I know that I knew no one when I walked in except for one person that I had met a few weeks earlier – it was Nanci Napoli!! She was so kind to have remembered me and bring me into her circle of conversation.
Q: Please name a few of the projects you’ve been involved in, specifically in the St. Louis area that you are proud of.
A: My first 12 years in commercial real estate were with Koch Development, which is a third generation family company that owns retail and office properties in St. Louis. Our investment strategy during my career at Koch was to focus on existing properties versus ground up development so I didn’t do any commercial real estate development projects of scale. However, now that I am at Keeley, I am part of a team that is pursuing and / or participating in several awesome projects within the St. Louis area!
Q: What other associations or volunteer activities are you involved with?
A: I sit on several boards including the CREW St. Louis Board as Past President and the CREW Network Foundation Board. I am also on the Children’s Hospital Development Board, Community School Board of Trustees, Hoffmann Brothers Advisory Board, St. Louis Forum Board, and The Bank of Missouri Board.
Q: What else would you like your fellow CREW-St. Louis members to know about you?
A: I am a proud mom of a 13 year old daughter and a 9 year old son who do not care about what I do during the day! When I get home, it’s our world. Both kids are involved in a lot of extracurricular activities and we love to travel during our breaks. I also have a wonderful support system of friends and family that I am very grateful for- including many CREW St. Louis members!