PRIDE’s Jim LaMantia named in ‘100 to know to success in business’

Jim LaMantia, executive director of PRIDE and former business manager of Iron Workers Local 396, was named as one of “100 St. Louisans To Know to Succeed in Business” by St. Louis Small Business Monthly, the magazine of business owners.

“It’s not difficult to come up with 100 names and personalities for this list,” said the magazine’s President Ron Ameln, “What is difficult is paring it down to 100.”

These are the “kinds of people that will get you some of the needed perspective that is crucial to success,” he said.

A team of editors and community leaders identified the individuals based on their contributions to the area businesses and the overall business community. They are all key executives, financiers, notable achievers, connectors and other business-community leaders.

The article on LaMantia notes:

“Jim LaMantia is a well-known St. Louis labor leader. For over 20 years, LaMantia has been active in the St. Louis union construction industry and has been an officer with the ironworkers for 21 years.

“Today, LaMantia is the executive director of PRIDE of St. Louis Inc., the nation’s first and oldest voluntary construction labor-management organization. La Mantia carries out PRIDE’s mission to maintain harmony and build cooperation among St. Louis area AFL-CIO construction craft workers, contractors, construction buyers, architects, engineers and suppliers.

“In 2004 LaMantia was named ‘Labor Man of the Year’ by the St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO and was named ‘Labor Man of the Year’ by the St. Louis Port Council in 2002.”

LaMantia is a 44-year member of Local 396, serving 24 of those years as an officer: six as business manager, six as a business representative and as a vice president, and member of the union’s executive board and examining board.

The ‘100 To Know’ list was published in the magazine’s April edition.

“We are indeed proud that Jim was selected to be among this distinguished list because he has been instrumental in using his experience and common sense to help the local construction industry sustain and grow our positive labor and management atmosphere that exists here,” said Jeff Aboussie, executive secretary-treasurer of the St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council.