The willingness to take risks, embrace technology and explore new business models have been principles passed along by successful Wabash Valley and Indiana high-tech corporate leaders to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students, faculty and staff members during this summer’s Rose-Hulman Ventures Distinguished Speaker Series.
The weekly executive conversations are informal, unscripted sessions that allow a variety of leaders to pass along advice about business, technology, entrepreneurship and the future to the next generation of innovators. Speakers have included company presidents, plant leaders, intellectual property attorneys and retired key executives.
“This speaker series presents an outstanding opportunity for Rose-Hulman students, who are spending the summer as interns at Rose-Hulman Ventures, to learn from the top leaders in a variety of career fields,” states Julia Williams of Rose-Hulman’s Leadership Development Group, which has joined Rose-Hulman Ventures in supporting the series. “It is great to be around successful people and learn from their broad perspectives.”
Brent Schludecker is learning lessons every day as president of Terre Haute’s Midwest Compliance Labs, a rising scientific enterprise that was developed after several colleagues lost their jobs following the closure of Pfizer’s local operations. After establishing its business plan and gaining state-of-the-art equipment, the company is slowly gaining clients and making a name in the regional high-quality laboratory testing market.
“The older you get, the tougher the risk becomes,” Schludecker recently told the Rose-Hulman group. “I originally wanted to start my own laboratory when I got out of college, but didn’t have the fortitude and money. Then, when Pfizer shut down the plant, the opportunity once again opened itself [to start a lab] and I was more open to taking the risk. Where the risk may have been low [when getting out of college], it was a little more risky now. You have a family and families of other investors to worry about. It takes a lot of faith – in yourself and your ideals – to be successful. I believe we’re going to be successful in one of the most challenging times to start a business.”
The Wabash Valley’s higher education community is lending a helping hand, including technical expertise from Rose-Hulman Ventures and market research, business advice from Indiana State University’s School of Business and assistance from Terre Haute’s Innovation Alliance, an economic development and education initiative.
Also, students from Rose-Hulman and ISU have spent this summer helping the company as laboratory technician interns.
Kristie Sturgeon, plant leader at General Electric’s Unison Engine Components/Tri Remanufacturing operations, extolled students to take advantage of internships and leadership opportunities, establish mentoring relationships and expand their network of business and professional contacts.
“Understand that the decisions and friendships that you’re making today may have an important impact on your future,” stated Sturgeon, who has worked as Six Sigma Black Belt and Learn Manufacturing Leader at GE Aviation. She has utilized her college degree in organizational leadership to serve in management for three companies. She now oversees operations at two successful local plants that have nearly 500 employees and $180 million annual sales.
“[The Rose-Hulman students] are in a perfect spot at Rose-Hulman Ventures. You’re learning those vital skills that will make you successful in the future,” she stated.
Other speakers have included Ron Dollens, retired president and chief executive officer of Guidant Corporation and a former key executive of Eli Lilly and Company’s Medical Devices and Diagnostics Division; Jim Coles, partner and co-chair of the Intellectual Property Group for the Indianapolis law firm of Bose, McKinney & Evans; Bill Polian, president of the Indianapolis Colts; the Cook Group’s Dan Peterson, vice president of industry and government affairs; Matt Waninger, president of MED Institute; David Mitchell, retired chairman of the Bolivian Power Company, who now helps advise local budding entrepreneurs and business owners; Dennis Cuneo, president of DC Strategic Advisors; and Matt Branam, president of Rose-Hulman.
Besides the informal presentations, each speaker has the opportunity to have lunch with Rose-Hulman Ventures student interns and project managers.
Also, several guests have also had roundtable meetings with Rose-Hulman faculty and staff members. Professors attending these workshops, organized by Andy Mech and Bill Kline, have included David Purdy, Mike Moorhead and April Bryan of the Department of Mechanical Engineering; Hossein Hariri and Atanas Serbezov of the Department of Chemical Engineering; Mark Brandt and Ross Weatherman of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Jessica Livingston of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences; David Voltmer of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Terry Schumacher of the Department of Engineering Management; Kevin Kessinger of the Office of Business and Finance; Mike Schmeckebier of the Office of Career Services and Employer Relations; and Institute Librarian Rachel Crowley.
More information about Rose-Hulman Ventures can be found at www.rhventures.org.
Business
Leaders pass along tips to next generation at Rose Speakers Series
- Business
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Leslie leaving Terre Haute Chamber
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce today notified members that Rachel Leslie, Chamber executive vice president, has accepted a position as director of advancement operations for St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.
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Toyota to increase Highlander output in Indiana
Toyota will increase production of the Highlander mid-size SUV in late 2013 at the company’s Princeton, Indiana plant. Hybrid and export versions will be included. The project is expected to create about 400 new jobs at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc.
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AT&T expands mobile broadband network
AT&T has expanded its mobile broadband network in several southwest Indiana communities, extending access for advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content to customers in the area.
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ON THE MOVE: Feb. 5, 2012
• Debbie Dillow
• Vani Manyam
• Shabaz Gill
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Nominate someone for HR Professional of the Year
Nominations are currently being sought for the 2012 Ogletree Deakins/HR Dimensions Human Resources Professional of the Year.
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Time Warner offers new levels of Internet service
Time Warner Cable is expanding the next generation of Internet service to customers across the Midwest using DOCSIS 3 equipment and its advanced fiber network.
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NEWSMAKERS: Feb. 5, 2012
Irving Haber at 1818 N. Third St. in Terre Haute announces that he is the first physician in the Wabash Valley to offer on-site digital imaging with the new Sonosite Sonogram machine.
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First Financial Corp. reports 2011 results
First Financial Corporation announced results for the year and the quarter ended Dec. 31.
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Terre Haute Chevrolet to incorporate new GM image elements
Terre Haute Chevrolet, a division of the Romain Automotive Group of Evansville, has announced a new look coming to the dealership in 2012.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Social Security FAQ on disability
Question: I applied for disability benefits three months ago and still haven’t received an answer. How long does it take to get a decision?
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MORTON MARCUS: State government increasingly decides how we live in our cities
The ongoing trend in state-local government relations in Indiana is increasing paternalism.
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Innovative Staff Solutions offers job openings
Innovative Staff Solutions has more than 180 positions open and available right now.
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Free career advancement workshop scheduled
University of Illinois Extension is hosting a free career advancement workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in Marshall.
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Verizon Wireless invests $159 million in Indiana
Verizon Wireless has invested $159 million in 2011 to enhance its network in Indiana, which includes the expansion of 4G LTE to 23 Hoosier cities, 10 major universities and four professional sporting venues.
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Rose-Hulman Winter Career Fair experiences 37 percent gain in company attendance
The good times have returned for college job seekers in such technical fields as engineering and computer science.
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Gordon Chiropractic celebrates grand opening of new location
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Gordon Chiropractic Family Health and Wellness celebrated the grand opening of its new location on Feb. 4.
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Magnolia gives in on rezoning
A potential $20-million investment in Terre Haute’s east side has been blocked by public opposition.
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Magnolia drops retirement complex plans for Ohio Boulevard
The company that had been hoping to build a new senior living complex along Ohio Boulevard has canceled its plans.
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Pfizer recalls 1M birth control packs after mix-up
Birth control pills are known to be nearly 100 percent effective when taken properly, but a recall of the drugs could send a shudder through women of childbearing age.
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Status update: Facebook to go public, raise $5B
Facebook made a much-anticipated status update Wednesday: The Internet social network is going public in a stock offering that could value it at as much as $100 billion, eight years after its computer-hacking CEO Mark Zuckerberg started the service at Harvard University.
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Greene County General Hospital announces expansion, renovations
Construction is expected to start in early spring on a new $6.5 million expansion-renovation of the Greene County General Hospital.
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Ethics in business: SmartMoney magazine editor to speak at ISU
James B. Stewart, author and editor-at-large of SmartMoney magazine, will take the stage Feb. 2 in Indiana State University’s Tilson Auditorium in conjunction with the University Speakers Series.
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Meeting to discuss Internet development
The University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Century Network and Broadband Illinois are hosting a meeting to discuss high speed Internet development at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Edgar County Extension office, 210 W. Washington St., in Paris.
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Local foods workshop planned
Ready, Set, GROW!
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Earn (and keep) more Social Security money
You probably already know that there was an increase in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income monthly payments at the beginning of the year.
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Hospital nurse anesthetists celebrate 150 years
Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center recognized the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist profession by celebrating the 13th annual National Nurse Anesthetists Week, Jan. 22-28, with this year’s theme of “Quality and Excellence in Anesthesia Care.”
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Terre Haute facility contributes to record year for GE Aviation
For CFM International, the joint venture between GE Aviation and France’s Snecma, 2011 was a record year with 1,500 orders for the CFM56 engine and 3,056 commitments for LEAP engines.
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Downtown bookstore announces final day is Saturday
BookNation will stay open late on Feb. 3 for one more First Friday downtown, with a blow-out, 48 hour Beer Box Sale planned to begin that morning.
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Event set on employing people with disabilities
Wabash Valley Business Leadership Network presents Facilitate the Employment Process for persons with disabilities, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 15 in second floor meeting room at Clabber Girl, at 900 Wabash Ave.
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BUSINESS CENTS: Are your business books in a shoe box?
The 2012 tax season is here and deadlines are quickly approaching.
- More Business Headlines
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Leslie leaving Terre Haute Chamber
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