The St. Louis Agri-Business Club named Drake & Company President and CEO Steve Drake as its Agri-Business Leader of the Year. Since 1981 the St. Louis Agri-Business Club has been recognizing outstanding leaders in agriculture by honoring them as Agri-Business Leader of the Year. The award recognizes the individual’s service to agriculture through personal accomplishments and outstanding leadership, a willingness to serve others and a passion for the future growth of agriculture. Furthermore, the individual must display community leadership through participation in civic, church, and other organizations and public service activities.

Drake was raised on a bull farm in Ohio, and attended Ohio State University, where he earned degrees in agricultural economics and international Journalism. He moved to St. Louis in the late 1970s to become Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Soybean Association. In 1992, he founded Drake & Company, an accredited association management company. Based in Chesterfield, DrakeCo manages nine non-profit organizations and foundations, several of which have an agricultural focus.

Through his organization, Drake and his team have brought the national headquarters of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity and Foundation, the National Christmas Tree Association and the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association to the greater St. Louis area. Drake was also instrumental in founding the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and the Country Living Association, both of which are managed by his firm.

Drake has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America with its Silver Anvil four times. He has also received the Agricultural Relations Council Founders Award twice. Drake has served as the President of the Agricultural Relations Council and currently serves as the Vice President of the AMC Institute.