Klar Leadership Academy students participate in event to feed the poor during the holidays

Natalie Zerucha, left, COBI student and participant in the COBI Klar Leadership Academy, is seen here with Max Lambdin, Senior VP of Mission Advancement, Cherry Street Mission. Klar Academy students helped assemble and distribute meals this fall at four locations, including The University of Toledo. 

Message from the Dean

We are proud to congratulate the approximately 300 COBI students who participated in the fall commencement ceremonies on December 17. All best wishes to all of you, and may your futures shine bright. Special applause for the 20 members of our Executive MBA program’s 21st cohort, who had their own graduation ceremony on December 14.   These brave souls earned their MBA in our 12-month, accelerated program, which is an amazing accomplishment and will prove extremely valuable throughout their careers.

Speaking of amazing, ever since I started teaching here in 2003, I have known that The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation is a remarkable place. We teach. We learn. We inspire. We are inspired. We change lives. As we approach the end of 2017, join us in again celebrating some of the tremendous achievements of the College, our faculty and our students:

- Bloomberg has ranked UT COBI in the top 100 Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the nation.

- Eduniversal, headquartered in Paris, a global academic ranking and rating agency specializing in higher education, issued their latest rankings, with UT COBI’s programs ranked (in North America) as:
- #30 Human Resources Management
- #37 Marketing and Professional Sales
- # 35 Masters of Business Administration
- # 47 Executive MBA

- Additionally, COBI’s Master in Supply Chain Management ranked number 93 in Eduniversal’s worldwide Supply Chain and Logistics standings.

- For the third year in a row, COBI’s current job placement rate for undergraduates is 93%.

- We continue to emphasize leadership, both while in college and beyond, through our Center for Leadership and Organizational Excellence, the Klar Leadership Academy and the Advanced Leadership Academy. Furthermore, hundreds of business and community leaders attended the KeyBank Global Leaders Forum where they learned from CEO’s of major companies from across the country.

- We are still celebrating the fact that Alan and Karen Barry donated $1 million to establish an endowed professorship in accounting, and we again thank them for their tremendous generosity.

- We again applaud Gary Thieman, who received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration, finance  from COBI in 1971, who was the recipient of the College of Business and Innovation Outstanding Alumnus Award for 2017.

- We were excited and honored to again work with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Toledo Assembly Complex to provide training for many of their workers, in this case those who are building the new Jeep Wrangler.

- Professional sales students from 30 universities across the United States came to the University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation to compete in the second annual University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC), which was won by the team from the team from the COBI Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS).

- Dr. Clinton Longenecker, Distinguished University Professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Organizational Excellence in the UT College of Business and Innovation, is one of three finalists selected for Baylor University’s 2018 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching.

- Graduates of UT COBI’s Ph.D. in Manufacturing and Technology Management are obtaining key positions at major universities, including David Dobrykowski, who is now Director of the Supply Chain Management Institute at Bowling Green State University;  Nehemiah Scott, who is now on the faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and Nitya Singh, now on the faculty of Salisbury University in  Maryland.

- COBI is one of the major sponsors of “Business 360,” which premiered in May on WGTE-TV30, helping to educate the community about the dynamic business activities taking place in this region.

- UT COBI was again a sponsor, with the Bowling Green State University College of Business, of the Women in Leadership Conference, which was attended by more than 600 people.

- The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation Gamma Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi received the Chapter of the Year Award at the AKP national convention in Law Vegas this summer.
Of course, there is more…much more. (You can read about many of them at our website (link) or on our blog (link). The above list of achievements from this past year are just a sampling of the amazing things that happen in COBI every day, every week, every semester, every year.

I also want to extend my best wishes to you for a wonderful, happy holiday season and an incredible new year.

Go Rockets!!

Interim Dean Hassan HassabElnaby 

COBI alumni receive industry recognitions

Congratulations to two UT COBI alumni recently received professional recognitions in their fields.

Heidi Joy Harnegie

Tyler Robert McKean

Heidi Joy Harnegie, Director of Sales Operations at Buckeye Broadband, was recognized by Cablefax as one of the best and brightest Overachievers Under 30. These awards honor the people working hard to do big things, enhance the industry and make their dreams come true.

Harnegie was honored at Cablefax’s fourth annual event in New York in December  Cablefax’s Overachievers Under 30 honors today’s rising stars working in the fast-paced worlds of cable, broadcast, tech and digital, including brands like Global Mediacom, Cisco, Viacom, TURNER, CNBC, Comcast and MTV.  Heidi graduated Summa Cum Laude with a sales degree from University of Toledo.

"During my time at UT (2006-2011), my passion for business & change management was ignited," Harnegie said. 

"In addition to Deirdre Jones, (Director, Edward Schmidt School of Professional Sales), I’m grateful for the mentorship and guidance I received from:

Professor Isenhath- your class environment was stellar, I loved hearing about your experience. It made the topics come to life.

Dr. Mallin- I remember your ability to simplify and explain sales processes with an endless amount of patience.

Dr. Pullins- you were the toughest in role plays but you taught me resilience and tenacity which has been a game changer in my career.

Thank you for your commitment and leadership, you have made a lasting impact on my career."

Tyler Robert McKean, a financial advisor, was recognized as one of Forbes America's Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors, 2017.

McKean, who graduated with a finance degree from UT, is an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA). Forbes America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors criteria is based on age, quality of practice, industry experience, compliance record, assets under management, revenue and interviews by SHOOK Research.

COBI Fall 2017 grad prepared for position at Constellium Automotive

Cornelius Crawford was excited to graduate at the end of fall semester, 2017. As of January, he will begin his full-time position as a purchasing manager for Constellium Automotive in Michigan, a supplier for companies such as Chrysler, GM and Tesla.

“This is exactly what I wanted to do,” he said.

Cornelius Crawford

“In high school at Central Catholic, I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Crawford said. “One minute I wanted to go to college, but didn’t know what I wanted to major in; one minute I wanted to go into the military, because my father was in the navy for four years. When I figured out that I wanted to go to college, I didn’t know what I wanted to study, but I knew I wanted to be successful, and I knew I wanted to do something within business. I love money, and I am  extremely competitive. What attracted me to the University of Toledo and business is because I knew I wanted to go into the automotive industry. It is competitive, aggressive, and there is a lot going on. After I did my research, I knew I wanted to go into supply chain.”  

“My favorite class was Principles of Manufacturing because I interned at the Jeep plant, so a lot of what I learned I actually used. I do enjoy cars, the excitement of the automotive industry; it’s a lot of problem solving. That was an all day, every day thing, constantly solving problems, and that’s what interests me. I started at Jeep in the summer of 2016, and they asked me to come back for the summer of 2017.”

“I worked with the COBI Business Career Programs office beginning in my sophomore year, attended every career fair,” Crawford said.  “Constellium was at the job fair, and I spoke to the recruiters, who saw that I had experience in the automotive field.”

“I want to pursue a masters because a bachelors degree is just not enough. A mentor often told me, ‘Don’t get comfortable.’ I didn’t understand it at first, but the more I progressed, I understood why, because I fell in love with achieving goals and going to the next level. The sky’s the limit, and I try to be the best I can be.”

“My success coaches here at UT were a huge support system. They saw that I wanted to do it, and they showed me the structure to do it. You could go to their office any time, I received emails and text messages of support. Here in COBI Craig Turner in the Business Careers Program office really helped me with the career fairs, helped me with my resume, how to conduct myself in a business way. I have had nothing but good experiences here. “

“I see why time is precious, because whatever it is you want, if you can put in the time, block out other things, the reward is much bigger and you feel ten times better.  It’s all about putting in the time, and setting your mind to it: I will understand it, I will get it, I will pass it, he said."

“If someone was looking at the UT College of Business, I would recommend it 100%. The College of Business here gives you so many opportunities to figure out what you want to do. COBI has all the different clubs and organizations, the business fraternities, the career fair, the business luncheon; you can come here and talk to an advisor to find your niche.  Take advantage of the opportunities. I promise you will grow. You can’t fail. All of the resources are right here in front of you, it’s just a matter of you doing it!”

Center for Family Business celebrates 25th anniversary

The University of Toledo Center for Family & Privately-Held Business celebrated its 25th Anniversary of service to area companies on Tuesday, November 14 at the Toledo Club.

Established in 1992, the UT Center for Family & Privately-Held Business is dedicated to serving the specific needs of family businesses, primarily in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. It received its start due to a generous endowment by The Stranahan Foundation and the continual support of family businesses.

“The fun-filled evening included stories about the past and reflections on the future,” explained Debbie Skutch, Center Director. “We honored Center leadership past, present and future; and had some other fun activities planned. The Center has thrived for 25 years because of our members, sponsors and community partners, and we wanted

to spend the evening celebrating them.”

“We have always strived to be attentive and responsive to the changing needs of our members,” noted Angie Jones, the Center’s Assistant Director. “Their businesses are not static, but always evolving. They change as the economy changes, as world markets shift, and as dynamics change in their own businesses.  We truly believe it is our responsibility to be there with pertinent answers to as many of these issues as we can. We have done that, which is why our members stay with us and new members join us all the time.”

Today, with nearly 200 family businesses as members, the Center membership benefits that include:

•           Attendance at events and forums sponsored by The UT Center for Family & Privately-Held Business

•           Monthly mini-forums available to current member companies only 

•           Interaction with family business peers through affinity group participation

•           Access to local, regional and nationally recognized business experts

Thirteen companies have been members since the Center was established, including The Andersons, The Appliance Center, Gross Electric, Hart, Kuhlman Corporation, Shrader Tire & Oil and Walt Churchill's Market.

Skutch observed, “Over our first 25 years of service, we estimate that the information, resources, programs, networking and more has resulted in a positive impact worth millions of dollars to these regional businesses. The viability of our members is the reward we seek, and together we will continue to make a meaningful difference in their future success.”

At the event, Skutch also announced the new name for the program, the UT Family Business Center.

UT partners with Fiat Chrysler to train Toledo Assembly Complex workers for Jeep Wrangler launch

The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation has teamed up with the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Toledo Assembly Complex to prepare more than 2,200 workers to build the next generation Jeep Wrangler, launching later this year.

This fall, employees from the Toledo North plant, where the new Wrangler is being built, have been participating in a comprehensive training and launch readiness program known as the “Toledo Way.” The weeklong program included three eight-hour days of hands-on technical training on UT’s Scott Park Campus, a day of community service, and a day devoted to learning about the Jeep brand and time behind the wheel of a Wrangler to experience its off-road capability.

“The University of Toledo is proud of this excellent partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles that enhances our collective efforts to strengthen our community,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said. “Working together, two of Toledo’s anchor institutions continue to contribute as major forces to the region’s growth and development. People make the difference, and we are providing these hard-working men and women high-level training to succeed for their families and for our region.”

The hands-on activities, developed collaboratively with UT, focused on expanding the employees’ knowledge of and competence in “World-Class Manufacturing,” the company’s manufacturing methodology that aims to eliminate waste while improving quality and safety in a systematic and organized way. The classes were tailored to meet the specific needs of workers in various departments and taught by instructors from UT and Northwest State Community College.

“This training was unprecedented in size and scope,” said Chuck Padden, Toledo Assembly Complex plant manager. “It would have been impossible for us to execute this training while also preparing for an important vehicle launch without the cooperation of the UT and Northwest State Community College staff.

“They not only provided us with a location large enough to hold these classes, but enhanced our curriculum by developing unique hands-on activities that would engage our employees,” Padden said. “We believe this experience has given our Toledo workforce the necessary tools to ensure a successful launch of the Wrangler.”

Production, salaried and skilled trades employees cycled through the training in shifts of 180 people six days a week. The course curriculum included classes on quality, safety, problem solving and workplace organization, and the way in which parts are delivered to an operator on the line. In one class on logistics, the Toledo employees used Legos to build a car, simulating the importance of on-time parts delivery to the line.

“The UT College of Business and Innovation is pleased and excited to deliver this important training program for more than 2,200 employees at Toledo’s Jeep manufacturing facilities,” said Dr. Hassan HassabElnaby, interim dean of the UT College of Business and Innovation. “Jeep is one of America’s most iconic brands, and the College of Business and Innovation, as one of Bloomberg’s top 100 business schools in the nation, is proud to be their educational partner. We are committed to their continued success.”

The Toledo Assembly Complex training sessions were led by Dr. Anand Kunnathur, professor in the Department of Information, Operations and Technology Management, and associate dean for special projects in the UT College of Business and Innovation.

This is the second time the Toledo plant has turned to UT for training support. In 2013, the plant worked with the University to prepare the workforce for the launch of the Jeep Cherokee. Since then, UT has delivered training classes directly to skilled trades on the plant floor.