STEPHEN GUND
Chief Executive Officer
The Gund Company is a fourth-generation family business in some ways and a sixth-generation family business in other ways. As a descendant of Al Bussmann, Sr., who along with his brothers started the world’s largest manufacturer of electrical fuses, Bussmann Manufacturing in 1910, Steve has learned many lessons about running successful family businesses. The Gund Company was formed out of Bussmann in 1951 to focus on electrical insulation material technology. Steve joined his brother Rich in the business as employee number twenty (#20) with both focusing entirely on growing their small family business. Today, The Gund Company manufactures electrical insulation components for electrical power systems equipment such as power generators, transformers, switchgear, and of course, electrical fuses. With over 1,300 teammates today at 17 facilities across 7 countries, the company has grown by more than 100 times in the last 33 years.
Having developed a robust process for benchmarking world-class companies, The Gund Company has benefited from the generosity of those willing to share their experiential wisdom. Seeking to pay it forward, Steve contributes his experience in business model development, strategic planning, market growth models, continuous improvement systems, cultural development, and financial performance improvement.
Prior to joining the family business, Steve graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Chaminade College Prep. He studied at La Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico City) while also working at Industrias Unidas, S.A. de C.V., a multi-billion-dollar family business.
Steve has been a guest lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Louis University Chaifetz School of Business teaching Humanistic, Dignity-Based Leadership. He lives in University City, MO with his wife Stacy having raised four kids: Caitlyn, Collin, Bryan, and Luke.