Learn from the Best

What’s it like to launch a leading high-tech company? What are the personal costs to being a whistle blower? What important tradeoffs will you confront between financial performance and ethical issues? MBA students at Wisconsin have the opportunity to ask these and other questions of leading executives.

Twice a year, the Dean’s Advisory Board, made up of executives who advise the school, gives insights on leadership and management to MBA students.

The John J. Oros MBA Speaker Series held throughout the year brings to campus prominent business professionals who share their triumphs and challenges with students and discuss what they learned from both.

Recent speakers include:

• Lynn Beasley, BBA ’81, MBA ’82, President and Chief Operating Officer, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
• Paul Collins, BBA ’58, retired Vice Chairman, Citigroup
• Erroll Davis, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO, Alliant Energy
• Thomas J. Falk, BBA ’80, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Peter Frechette, BS ’61, Chair, President and CEO, Patterson Dental Company
• Lou Holland, BS ’65, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Holland Capital Management
• H. Fisk Johnson, Chairman, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
• Aaron Kennedy, MBA ’89, Founder, President and CEO, Noodles & Company
• Jack Lavin, BBA ’76, President and CEO, Arrow Financial Services, LLC
• John Morgridge, BBA ’55, Chairman of the Board, Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Albert O. Nicholas, BS ’52, MBA ’55, Chairman and CEO, Portfolio Manager, Nicholas Company
• Dianne Orbison, MS ’77, President, Advantus Capital Management

Overheard

What Top Executives Had to Say to Wisconsin MBA Students

Golden Rules for Investing “Be a contrary investor or thinker—don’t follow the herd over the cliff. Focus on companies with great management; buy companies with superior products. Use common sense. If you can’t understand it, don’t do it. Be patient.” Lou Holland, BS ‘65 Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer Holland Capital Management

Managing Your Career “A lot of people talk about managing your career. The best way to manage your career is by performing your job very, very well. If you do that, you end up with a strong career. You attract attention based on the way you perform your job. People will gravitate toward you.” Paul Collins, BBA ’58 Retired Vice Chairman Citigroup