College of Business Archives

UMW Executive-in-Residence Talks Entrepreneurship and Startups

February 28, 2014 by Melina Downs

Matt Ernst, the University of Mary Washington’s 2013 Executive-in-Residence, has a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to entrepreneurship and startup companies.

Matt Ernst ’94 (center) talks with business leaders during the Executive-in-Residence breakfast on Feb. 27.

The 1994 UMW graduate shared his tips with regional business leaders and community members during a breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center.

“Without calculated risk there are no innovations,” said Ernst, who started his first business, a lawn care company, as a teenager.

After college, Ernst founded Amentra, a company that provided systems integration services. He started the company in 2000 during the dot-com boom and two weeks before the dot-com bust. Under Ernst’s guidance and leadership Amentra became one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the country, and he was named the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007. He sold the company in 2008 to Red Hat, one of the world’s leading providers of open source solutions.

His other pieces of advice included having a diversity of experience, remembering that change is constant, having a vision and having a strong appetite for risk.

During the two-day Executive-in-Residence program, Ernst gave presentations to faculty, staff and students. He talked with students and answered questions about his experiences at UMW and his first job out of college.

“Get a job and be a sponge and really learn as much as you can,” Ernst said. “Every conversation you have in life, take something away from it.”

His latest venture is Walnut Grove Holdings, LLC, an investment company focusing on early stage technology companies. Ernst is married to fellow UMW graduate Amy Henderson Ernst. They have three children and live in Richmond.

Since its inception in 1989, the Executive-in-Residence program has brought more than 40 well-known and established business leaders to the university. The program is coordinated through the UMW College of Business and the Division of Advancement and University Relations.

Executive-in-Residence, Feb. 26-27

February 10, 2014 by Brynn Boyer

Matt Ernst ’94 is UMW’s 2013-2014 Executive-in-Residence. He founded Amentra in early 2000 and served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer until shortly after its sale to Red Hat in March of 2008. Under his guidance and leadership Amentra became one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the country. Mr. Ernst was also named the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007. He currently serves as Chairman of Walnut Grove Holdings, LLC, an investment company focusing on early stage technology companies.

Mr. Ernst will be on campus in Stafford and Fredericksburg Feb. 26 and 27. Throughout the two-day Executive-in-Residence program, he will interact with UMW students interested in various career paths.

During an invitation-only breakfast program, Ernst will speak to regional business leaders. His presentation, “Entrepreneurialism: Taking Risks and Lessons in Leadership,” will focus on his experience as an entrepreneur and business leader.

Students, friends, and alumni are invited to attend a presentation by Ernst on the Stafford campus Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. A reception with refreshments and light fare will follow in the North Building. Space is limited for the Wednesday evening event in Stafford and registration is encouraged.

Following the Wednesday evening presentation, Ernst will visit the Fredericksburg campus on Thursday, Feb. 27. All UMW students are invited to attend one of three presentations scheduled in Dodd Auditorium at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., or 2 p.m. Registration is not required.

For more information or questions please contact Andrea Cordray at acordray@umw.edu.

Surgeon Scholar

January 9, 2014 by Melina Downs

Dr. Balvant Arora, MBA ’13 could have been content with his achievements.

He’d succeeded professionally in his native India and in the United States, participated in groundbreaking surgery, and taught medical school. More recently he had moved to Fredericksburg to work for Mary Washington Healthcare as a plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon, a career he chose for its balance of science and art.

Taking Flight at UMW

October 17, 2013 by Melina Downs

Glen Ackermann works as a program executive for Northrup Grumman, where globe trotting is a given.
Photo by Kimmie Barkley ’14

Call Glen Ackermann the consummate adventurer.

Whether he’s competing in obstacle races or flying half-way around the world, Ackermann lives daringly. His latest venture: seeking a master of business administration at the University of Mary Washington.

“I wanted to keep my mind fresh and active and an MBA is a great thing to have,” said 54-year-old Ackermann, who began taking classes last semester.

During the day, the retired Navy pilot works as a program executive for Northrup Grumman where he travels to Japan every six weeks to meet with potential clients.

When he’s not in Japan, he manages a team in the United States in offices from New York to D.C. This year alone, he has racked up 150,716 miles with United Airlines and that doesn’t include his regular flights to New York.

The Ackermanns took a whitewater rafting trip together as a family.

There is never a typical day for Ackermann, and he likes it that way as evidenced in his choice of extra-curricular activities. He enjoys competing in Spartan races, eight-mile obstacle course races that include climbing and running carrying weights.

“I like to keep challenging myself; it keeps my mind sharp and young,” said Ackermann, whose wife and four children, ranging in age from 19 to 28 come to cheer him on during races.

As a family, the Ackermanns also have faced challenges. Ackermann’s son Glen Connor was diagnosed with an untreatable cancer at age 6. Glen Connor, now 19, has fully recovered after participating in experimental cord blood transplant for Leukemia. Ackermann said the experience has made the family, including Lydia, his wife of 30 years, stronger than ever.

The family even joined together to go on a whitewater rafting trip one year, and three of his children joined him for a local obstacle race called Tribal quest. He’s also not alone in his academic pursuits. Two of his children are still in college, one at Virginia Tech and the other at Longwood University.

Glen Ackermann, back far right, traveled for many years with his family in tow during his service in the U.S. Navy.

Ackermann’s degree will be his third, as he already has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University and a master’s in international relations from the Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif.

As Ackermann embarks on his latest adventure at UMW, he also is discovering the joy of becoming a grandparent after just recently welcoming his first grandchild.

His outlook is bright as he looks to new beginnings and new adventures.

Taking Flight at UMW

October 17, 2013 by Melina Downs

Glen Ackermann is seeking adventure and his MBA at UMW.

College of Business Hosts New Financial Literacy Series

September 9, 2013 by Andrea Cordray

Debra Farnell ’12

The College of Business presents
the Financial Literacy Series with Alumna Debrah Farnell ’12:

On the Road to Financial Independence –
How to move forward and get ahead by financially planning!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013
3 – 4 p.m. – UMW Faculty, Staff and General Public
5 – 6 p.m. – UMW Students
Lee Hall, Room 412
Contact: Andrea Cordray, acordray@umw.edu or 540-654-1242
FREE!

We get all kinds of advice from the experts – friends, coworkers, television shows or books we buy and mean to read! Still we can find ourselves not sure of where we are, where to start or how to assess where we want to be. We may know that having a plan is important, but don’t know how to take the first step.

This seminar is geared specifically toward those who are looking to take charge of their finances and work toward financial independence. Money is uniquely personal and every plan is too. There is no “one size fits all” in financial planning. Your circumstances, your lifestyle and your vision for your financial future all come together to help you create your plan.

We will:

Learn what financial success looks like
Learn how to take charge of your finances and limit exposure through financial planning
Create an inventory and personal financial statement to assess your financial status

About The Speaker:

Debrah Farnell, CFP® ChFC® is the founder of DKM Planners, Inc. Beginning her career as a FINRA registered Series 7, General Securities Representative, and Series 66, Uniform Combined State Law Representative, in Virginia, Maryland, D.C., Louisiana, Florida., California and Georgia, she is also licensed to sell life and long term care insurance in Virginia, Maryland, and Georgia. Determined to educate and help people become financially independent, she earned the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation and became a Certified Financial Planner™ professional (CFP®). She holds a bachelor of professional studies degree in leadership and management from the University of Mary Washington.

Save the Date: Debrah will return on Wednesday, November 13 with a new topic!

Building Global Leaders

July 30, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

Students gain new perspectives during a two-week study abroad trip to Tanzania.

Educator Bill Bosher Addresses Master’s Candidates, May 10

May 10, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

Dr. William “Bill” Cleveland Bosher Jr., public policy expert and former Virginia superintendent of education, urged University of Mary Washington graduates to hold onto their passion and enthusiasm as they continue in their future paths. Bosher spoke at the University of Mary Washington’s graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10.

Public Policy Expert Bill Bosher spoke to master’s degree candidates at the Anderson Center.

“I would say to those of you today with new skills and new knowledge: the day that you cease to be excited about young people, I don’t want you teaching mine,” Bosher said. “The day that you cease to be excited about your business or your company or what you sell or what you provide as a service, I don’t want to buy it. Because part of this is not just being prepared with new skills and knowledge, but part of it is the excitement that you have.”

Bosher addressed more than 1,000, including graduates, family members, friends and faculty, gathered in the William M. Anderson Center. A total of 249 graduate degrees were awarded, including 111 Master of Education degrees, 87 Master of Business Administration degrees, 34 Master of Science in Elementary Education degrees and 15 Master of Science in Management Information Systems degrees. Two graduates received both the MBA and the MSMIS in a dual-degree program.

For Bosher, positive traits like dependability and teamwork hold more weight than a grade point average or academic knowledge alone.

“When people call me for references, they don’t first ask about the GPA,” he said. “First they ask: What is their attendance? Second, they ask: Do they get along with people?”

In his address, he urged graduates to remember the personal sacrifices they made to achieve their goals. He advised them, as they move forward, to create a plan, remain goals-oriented and take time to celebrate their achievements.

Bosher has been a teacher, principal, state director, local superintendent of two districts with more than 35,000 students and the superintendent of public instruction for the commonwealth of Virginia. He currently serves as distinguished professor of public policy and education at Virginia Commonwealth University and executive director of the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute, a legislative entity focused on research, training and policy analysis.

Named the arts administrator of the year by the Kennedy Center, Bosher is the only superintendent in Virginia to be named twice as the Superintendent of the Year. He has served as a consultant in more than 35 states and a dozen foreign countries on topics related to educational law and finance, policy analysis, standards development, school evaluations and human relations.

UMW awarded 249 graduate degrees.

The co-author of “Law and Education: Contemporary Issues and Court Decisions” and “The School Law Handbook, What Every Leader Needs to Know,” Bosher is the board chairman of Edvantia, a research and evaluation nonprofit, and is a fellow of SchoolNet and the Urban Health Initiative.

Steve Pemberton, business executive, motivational speaker and noted author, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. on Ball Circle.

CEO Doug Dolton ’78 Shares Business Philosophy

March 25, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

Doug Dolton ’78 shared his perspectives on leadership, business and the economy with hundreds of regional leaders on Thursday, March 21, as part of the University of Mary Washington’s annual Executive-in-Residence program.

Doug Dolton ’78 (left) is UMW’s Executive-in-Residence for 2012-2013.

Dolton, founder, chairman and CEO of San Francisco Motor Sports and UMW’s Executive-in-Residence for 2012-2013, emphasized inspirational leadership through boosting employee morale and increasing customer satisfaction.

“In order to make a success out of anything you do, it is critical that you understand how to interact effectively with people,” he said.

During his two-day visit to UMW, he used examples from his decades in business and finance in his meetings with students, faculty and alumni.

“See people as people, not as objects,” he said, stressing that successful business leaders foster cultures of empathy in their organizations.

Dolton has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services and banking industries and has served as president and CEO of Servus Financial Corporation, now owned by Wells Fargo; Chela Education Financing, now owned by Nelnet; and Zopa, a U.K.-based peer-to-peer online lending marketplace. He founded San Francisco Motorsports, a luxury automotive retailer based out of Northern California, in April 2010 and has served as chairman and CEO of the company for almost three years. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Mary Washington in 1978.

Established in 1989, the Executive-in-Residence program is coordinated through the UMW College of Business and the Division of Advancement and University Relations. Since its inception, the program has brought more than 40 well-known and established business leaders to the university.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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