Mike Matheny, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, will be the keynote speaker at this year's Arrow Leadership and Success Summit, the high point of the Arrow Leadership and Success Series, which is new to the publication this year.

The Arrow Leadership and Success Summit, which is sponsored by Saint Francis Medical Center, will be an opportunity for students and other people from around the area to hear from a successful and prominent leader about what it takes to lead winning teams and organizations.

Matheny, who played in 13 seasons of Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Cardinals and San Francisco Giants, was named the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals on Nov. 14, 2011, and is the 49th manager in the history of the organization. Matheny has led the Cardinals to the playoffs every year since the start of his tenure, making him the first manager in Cardinals history to lead the team to the postseason in all three of his first full seasons and the eighth manager in Major League Baseball history to do so.

"He's a smart and respected baseball man. But this job is beyond baseball -- it's about leading an organization, creating a team culture and developing winning teams on and off the field. And in his first three years as the Cardinals' manager, he's certainly done that," said Lucas Presson, general manager of the Arrow.

Matheny has done work in the past beyond playing baseball and being the Cardinals' manager, he has also created programs within his community like the "Catch-22" charity that donated tickets to Cardinals fans between 2002 and 2004. The charity has since funded the development of the "Catch 22 Miracle Field" at the Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex, which is a field that gives children of all abilities the opportunity to play baseball regardless of any physical or mental disabilities.

"Mike Matheny is a well-respected manager and has arguably the best job in Major League Baseball, managing the St. Louis Cardinals. But what he brings to the table transcends the diamond," Presson said. "His ability to manage people and lead the National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals helps us in our respective fields become better leaders in our communities."

The summit will be the culmination of this year's Arrow Leadership and Success Series, and will be followed throughout the rest of the school year by question and answer interviews of other influential and successful people from around the area including Southeast alumni, students and faculty members who are everyday leaders.

"The interviews in the Arrow Leadership and Success Series will be excellent for students and this community to enjoy," Presson said. "Many of these individuals have found success in business, sports, their community and other areas, but we believe the information shared will provide valuable information into how to become a better leader."

With a select series of 20 question and answer interviews of well-known to not-so-well-known individuals who have made an impact in and outside of the Cape Girardeau community, the Arrow hopes to provide a spotlight for these successful people and the things they have accomplished.

"It is important to recognize those who have become leaders in their profession and communities, especially those who attended Southeast Missouri State University," Steven C. Bjelich, president and chief executive officer of Saint Francis Medical Center said. "They set an example for people of this region to achieve greater heights both personally and professionally. At Saint Francis Medical Center, we set an example of the highest standard of healthcare, and it is only fitting that the medical center and its professionals partner with the Arrow Leadership and Success Series."

The Arrow Leadership and Success Summit will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the Show Me Center. The summit will include a keynote speech from Matheny with a 15-minute question and answer period following.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, and are available for purchase through the Show Me Center Box Office, by phone at 573-651-5000 or online at ShowMeCenter.biz. General admission tickets will cost $10 and there will be a limited amount of VIP tickets that will cost $99 and include a meet-and-greet and a photo with Matheny.

"I think whether you're a student at Southeast Missouri State University, a community member, not-for-profit or faith-based leader, or CEO of a corporation, there's something you can learn from Mr. Matheny," Presson said. "We look forward to welcoming him to the Arrow Leadership and Success Summit next month."

For media inquiries contact Lucas Presson at either 573-388-3649 or lpresson@semissourian.com.