Robert P. Elsperman

Purdue alumnus Robert P. Elsperman, PE, of Tarlton Corporation, has served the construction industry for more than 55 years. Today he serves as a corporate consultant to Tarlton, a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm in business since 1946.

A professional engineer, Elsperman was named president of Tarlton in 1972, following the path set by his father, the late Arthur Elsperman, who reorganized the firm 26 years earlier. Tarlton is a nationally certified women’s business enterprise that ranks in Engineering News-Record's Top 400 Contractors with annual revenues exceeding $170 million.

Elsperman has served as an officer of nearly every national, regional and local organization in the construction industry, most notably as national treasurer of the Associated General Contractors of America, the largest trade association in the United States. He served as president of the AGC of St. Louis in 1981 and as president of the Engineers' Club of St. Louis in 1974-75.

Among his professional honors are being named Young Engineer of the Year, Engineer of the Year and Construction Man of the Year. He also received the AGC of St. Louis Award. In 2008, Elsperman was honored with the Al Fleischer Award for Management from PRIDE of St. Louis.

Elsperman has been active in numerous civic organizations. He served on the advisory council for the Lyles School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University and is immediate past chairman of the board of St. Andrew's Resources for Seniors Systems, a faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the growing senior population. He has served as chairman of the advisory board for the Salvation Army and on the advisory council for the Hope Center. In addition, he has been on the advisory boards of several banks, including Mark Twain, First Star, Mercantile and now, U.S. Bank, where he is co-chairman for middle markets.

In 2000, Elsperman was named "Individual of the Year" among general contractors by the Greater Missouri Chapter of the March of Dimes. He also has enjoyed affiliations with the United Way, Children's Miracle Network, Boy Scouts of America and Howard Park Center.