Where Are They Now? Black Engineers of the Year

2012 Black Engineer of the Year David L. Steward is the co-founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, Inc., (WWT), a technology solution provider with $10.4 billion in annual revenue and more than 5,000 employees.

Steward received the prestigious award during the 26th annual BEYA STEM Conference in Philadelphia, PA.

“Dave Steward personifies the highest standards of character and ingenuity,” said Norma Clayton, former vice president at The Boeing Company. "His focus has not been on a single engineering discipline or industry, but rather on enabling his employees and an entire community to rise with the tide.”

Steward made a $1 million donation to the National Museum of the United States Army. His gift sponsored the museum’s “Reflecting and Changing the Face of America Exhibit,” part of the Army and Society gallery, telling the story of integration in the U.S. Army.

“I’m incredibly honored to have been selected for this prestigious award,” said Steward. “To win the top BEYA is not only a personal achievement but a tremendous tribute to WWT’s longstanding commitment to the core principles of innovation, diversity, and community championed by BEYA since its inception.”

WWT has grown from a small start-up business in 1990 to one of the largest minority-owned companies in the United States.

WWT partners with minority-owned firms, utilizing the resources of minority-owned organizations and finding talent at minority-serving institutions.

An outstanding civic leader in the St. Louis, Missouri area, Steward has served as chairman of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

He has also served on committees and boards for the Greater St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the University of Missouri School System, Civic Progress of St. Louis, Webster University, St. Louis Science Center, the United Way of Greater St. Louis Executive Committee, and the Harris-Stowe State University African American Business Leadership Council.

Steward’s commitment to community involvement and diversity has carried over to the corporate culture at WWT.

As a Corporate Plus Member since 1998, and approaching $50 Million in Minority Business Enterprise/Women's Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) and Small Business spend, WWT takes its commitment to enhancing and embracing diversity seriously.

The company supports community and non-profit organizations through volunteer efforts, scholarship awards, youth development programs, project support, and other community activities.

Great Place to Work and FORTUNE have honored World Wide Technology (WWT) as one of the 2019 Best Workplaces in Technology.