Published: August 10, 2009 06:12 pm         

Leaders pass along tips to next generation at Rose Speakers Series

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.