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Business leaders share words of wisdom
February 14, 2008
The State Farm MBA Executive Leadership Series returns this spring with a line-up featuring five prominent business executives.
The series kicks off on Wednesday, Feb. 27 with Rick Gorman (pictured). He is vice president and general manager for PACCAR Parts, a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of premium trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates.
Gorman joined PACCAR almost 30 years ago, taking part in the company’s management candidate program. He has held a variety of positions there, including assistant general manager of PACCAR Parts, and director of business development and general manager of PACCAR International.
Gorman graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in industrial administration. He earned his master’s of business administration from Southern Illinois University.
The founder and chairman of Tully’s Coffee, Tom O’Keefe, will speak on March 12. He is also the CEO of O’Keefe Development, a real estate development firm.
O’Keefe and his wife Cathy have been actively involved in community organizations for over 20 years, with their efforts focused largely on children. In 1983, the O'Keefe’s co-founded the Patrons of Cystic Fibrosis and the Juvenile Diabetes Guild of Seattle. O'Keefe is a former president and event chairman for both organizations and currently serves as a board member each.
The series continues with Carolyn Lee, agency vice president of State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, on April 3.
Lee joined the company in 1991 as an agent. She has since held various positions, including field consultant, field executive and administrative assistant at the corporate office. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California – Davis and her master’s degree from Stanford University.
On April 17, the series presents Howard Schmidt, president and CEO of R & H Security Consulting LLC, an information technology security firm.
Schmidt is a world-renowned cyber security expert. He was appointed by President Bush as the vice chair of the president’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Board and as the special advisor for cyberspace security for the White House. He has worked for the FBI, Microsoft and eBay. Schmidt serves on the boards of several corporations.
The series wraps up on May 6 with James Murphy, senior vice president of the international division of Costco Wholesale. He directs the activities and expansion of Costco’s operations outside of North America and oversees the U.S.-based global buying and export groups.
Murphy joined Costco Wholesale in January of 1987 and has held various leadership positions within the company. He is on the Costco Executive Committee and is the recipient of the 2007 Pierce College Distinguished Alumni Award. Murphy earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his masters from the University of Portland.
All lectures are held at 6 p.m. in the Morken Public Events Room.
For more information, contact the School of Business at ext. 7330.
Gorman joined PACCAR almost 30 years ago, taking part in the company’s management candidate program. He has held a variety of positions there, including assistant general manager of PACCAR Parts, and director of business development and general manager of PACCAR International.
Gorman graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in industrial administration. He earned his master’s of business administration from Southern Illinois University.
The founder and chairman of Tully’s Coffee, Tom O’Keefe, will speak on March 12. He is also the CEO of O’Keefe Development, a real estate development firm.
O’Keefe and his wife Cathy have been actively involved in community organizations for over 20 years, with their efforts focused largely on children. In 1983, the O'Keefe’s co-founded the Patrons of Cystic Fibrosis and the Juvenile Diabetes Guild of Seattle. O'Keefe is a former president and event chairman for both organizations and currently serves as a board member each.
The series continues with Carolyn Lee, agency vice president of State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, on April 3.
Lee joined the company in 1991 as an agent. She has since held various positions, including field consultant, field executive and administrative assistant at the corporate office. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California – Davis and her master’s degree from Stanford University.
On April 17, the series presents Howard Schmidt, president and CEO of R & H Security Consulting LLC, an information technology security firm.
Schmidt is a world-renowned cyber security expert. He was appointed by President Bush as the vice chair of the president’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Board and as the special advisor for cyberspace security for the White House. He has worked for the FBI, Microsoft and eBay. Schmidt serves on the boards of several corporations.
The series wraps up on May 6 with James Murphy, senior vice president of the international division of Costco Wholesale. He directs the activities and expansion of Costco’s operations outside of North America and oversees the U.S.-based global buying and export groups.
Murphy joined Costco Wholesale in January of 1987 and has held various leadership positions within the company. He is on the Costco Executive Committee and is the recipient of the 2007 Pierce College Distinguished Alumni Award. Murphy earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his masters from the University of Portland.
All lectures are held at 6 p.m. in the Morken Public Events Room.
For more information, contact the School of Business at ext. 7330.