Eddie G. Davis, Justine PETERSEN Board President/Board Member and Great Rivers Community Capital Board Member, founded the Center for the Acceleration of African-American Businesses (CAAAB) in 2006 and has served as its President & Executive Director since. Prior to founding CAAAB, Mr. Davis worked at Ameren for 26 years as the minority business developer in the purchasing department. Mr. Davis is passionate about advancing economic development in the St. Louis and Metro East Illinois regions by elevating the status of African-American businesses and their workforce. In 2009, Mr. Davis was honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and received the 2009 National Minority Champion Award for his work with African-American entrepreneurs.