Gateway CEO

08/01/2026

August is here! It’s an exciting time for Gateway CEO as the Class of 2027 kicks off on August 18!

We are excited to join the Troy community at their National Night Out event on August 4! We have plenty of popsicles to hand out. Excited to see you there. Stop by and see us! Check out more details here.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LerjRNC3t/?mibextid=WC7FNe

07/01/2026

Devin Maedge is a Class of 2026 Alumni competing at FBLA Nationals this week! Have the best time. Go do great things!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EEwesR7bp/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Devin Maedge has arrived in San Antonio, Texas for FBLA Nationals!! Good luck, Devin!

06/25/2026

Gateway CEO is looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2027 in less than two months. The process begins in November of each year with Junior Days and then an application process in January. We are so proud of each student that applied to the program and went through the process. We will welcome our largest group of students from four schools in August. Congratulations to each of the incoming class! We are working hard this summer to be sure this is an unforgettable experience.

06/10/2026

Alumni Spotlight! It's often asked if our Gateway CEO graduates continue their business after high school. Some continue those businesses that started prior to CEO, others developed during CEO and continues to grow, while some may even create something new that goes to market within a few years.

Meet Jose Varela, a 2022 graduate from Collinsville High School. During Gateway CEO, he was partnering with his dad in a landscaping business. While there, Jose developed branding and focus for V Green Lawn and Landscape Management. From managing limited clients to well over 100 clients today, Jose now supports his family full time with this business endeavor. It's been amazing over the years to watch him navigate the challenges and yet always reach for bigger goals. As a recent college graduate, the sky is the limit for this young man.

I remember several conversations during his time with CEO as he worked with his mentor Bob Eaton and they discussed what scaling a business might look like. To watch this come to a reality today is what this entire program is about. Jose is anchored in the Metro East, expanding to the St. Louis area and is one of the hardest working young men out there. If you might be needing help this summer, reach out to V Green Lawn and Landscape. Check out his story here!

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Angel Varela. Hi Jose Angel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?I didn’t start V Green completely from scratch, it [....

06/08/2026

As we reflect on this past school year, we are amazed at the milestones our students met and the experience created with support from our community. Here are a few highlights from the Class of 2026. We are more than thankful to our Gateway CEO family for stepping up in so many different ways to share real life, business experience and so many hours of investing back into this generation. Gateway CEO alumni leave with a strong foundation of entrepreneurship and know that they are not limited in what their next chapter looks like. Thank you for giving back!

If you are interested in learning more about Gateway CEO and how your business can get involved, please reach out to [email protected]!

Collinsville High School Triad High School Maryville Christian School Highland High School IL

05/29/2026

Highland High School IL has seven graduates in the Gateway CEO Class of 2026. It was amazing to see each of these students explore their interests and lean into the experience. Thank you for partnering with us! Congratulations on the road ahead.

05/29/2026

We are excited to share our three Maryville Christian School students that are now graduates of Gateway CEO 2026. They are headed as far as Kentucky and running with business right here! Thank you for partnering with us MCS. Congratulations to Emma, Brody and Noah!

05/29/2026

Gateway CEO had five graduates from Triad High School. Thank you for partnering with us once again! Each of them have bright futures as they go into different directions. Congratulations to our Triad students!

05/29/2026

As we wrap up our last few posts for the Class of 2026, I wanted to share each of the students and their 'What's Next?' It was amazing to see each student develop at their own pace throughout the school year. Congratulations to our graduates from Collinsville High School! We are so excited to continue to cheer you on. Collinsville High School thank you for partnering with us!