Category: Events

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Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series: CEO John Hall on the Importance of Ethics in Business

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CEO John Hall speaks to the audience at the LaSells Stewart Center as part of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series

John Hall, owner and CEO of 16 Degree Advisory, discussed the importance of business ethics to about 475 attendees of a public lecture May 7 at Oregon State University’s LaSells Stewart Center.

Hall’s talk, “Making Ethical Decisions When Success Is Defined by Profits,” was the latest installment of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings business leaders from across the United States to Oregon State’s campus to address a variety of today’s most relevant business topics.

Hall discussed the ways in which corporate fraud is detected and reported, the types of industries that are most prone to fraud and other ethical lapses, and who the individuals are within organizations that are most likely to perpetrate the fraud.

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John Hall sits down with assistant professor Inara Scott for a post-lecture Q & A.

In order to prevent ethical lapses and fraud, Hall stressed the importance of employers and organizations instilling an “ethics culture” that starts at the highest rungs of leadership and reaches all the way to the entry level employees.

The topic of Hall’s discussion was especially poignant, as the College of Business at Oregon State recently became the first college on campus to institute its own Code of Honor. The code was developed by students and then approved by faculty members and focuses on integrity, responsibility and respect – three facets of an ethical organization that Hall whole-heartedly endorsed during his lecture.

The good news? According to Hall, observed episodes of workplace misconduct are actually on the decline, based on data from the National Business Ethics Survey’s Ethics Resource Center. This is largely due to the fact that two out of three companies now have “positive” ethics cultures.

“This increase in ethical commitment is significant because ethics culture drives employee conduct,” said Hall. “When companies value ethical performance and build strong cultures, misconduct is substantially lower.”

Misconduct Declines
The stronger an organization’s ‘Ethics Culture,’ the less misconduct is observed within that organization

Before launching 16 Degree Advisory, Hall was the co-founder and owner of EthicsPoint, Inc., which later became the $100 million software company NAVEX Global, where Hall was the chief ethics and compliance officer.

 

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College of Business honors alumni, entrepreneurs at Celebration of Excellence

From the “serial entrepreneur” to the world traveler and the Grammy Award winner, the group of alumni, business partners and prominent Oregon entrepreneurs at the College of Business Celebration of Excellence show the possibilities available to future graduates.

This year the annual College of Business event will honor four alumni and two business partners for their outstanding professional achievements and services to the college, and two entrepreneurs who represent the pioneering spirit of the state. The event, which was originally planned for February 6, 2014 but postponed due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled to May 5, 2014.

The evening begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and the awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. For more information, go to http://business.oregonstate.edu/awards or contact Rachelle Nickerson at rachelle.nickerson@oregonstate.edu.

2014 Honorees

Hall of Fame

James Williams ‘66, MBA ‘67, President, CTK Capital Corporation: In addition to being president of CTK Capital Corporation, James “Jim” Williams is a partner with Asset Solution Partners LLC holding company in Portland. He found his success in the healthcare industry as the co-founder of Brim, Inc., the first company in the nation to specialize in contracting to manage hospitals. In 1997, he sold the company to the Pritzker family in Chicago (owner of Hyatt Hotels) to form Encore Senior Living, a national assisted living company. Mr. Williams retired in January 2002 and served as the chairman of Encore’s board until selling his interest in 2006. He earned his B.S. in industrial engineering in 1966 and was in the first M.B.A. class in the College of Business in 1967. Currently he is active with OSU, serving as a Foundation Trustee, on the Austin Entrepreneurship Advisory Council and is on the OSU Advantage Accelerator Board of Advisors.

Distinguished Business Professional

Jill Eiland ‘73, Corporate Affairs Manager, Intel: Eiland leads Intel’s public and governmental relations teams for the Northwest region, including the company’s educational and philanthropic initiatives. She’s also served as vice president of the State Board of Higher Education and many other business and community organizations in the state.

Distinguished Early Career Business Professional

Peter W. Newport ‘98, Owner and President, Sawyer Paddle & Oars: A self-described ‘serial entrepreneur’ and lifelong adventure sportsman, Newport is Owner and President of Sawyer Paddle & Oars. Previously, he grew Breedlove Guitar Company 20 times in a 10-year period, taking it from near bankruptcy to an award-winning, leader in guitar quality, distributing to more than 30 countries.

Distinguished Young Business Professional

Tim Jakubowski ‘04, Advisory Director, KPMG: In only 10 years at KPMG in Portland Jakubowski has worked in 25 countries on four continents while consulting with some of the top firms in the Northwest.

Distinguished Business Partners

Fred Meyer – Founded in Portland in 1922, Fred Meyer now has 133 stores and nearly 30,000 associates in four Western states. Fred Meyer has been a key partner for the Oregon State School of Design and Human Environment, providing internships for students and participating in the School’s annual Career Symposium and serving on the SDHE Industry Advisory Board.

Mutual of Enumclaw – Voted one of the 100 best places to work in Washington State in 2012, innovation has driven Mutual of Enumclaw’s steady growth in the insurance industry since its beginnings in 1898. Also a key partner in the College of Business’ growth and development, Mutual of Enumclaw’s commitment to Oregon State through the College of Business’ Corporate Partnership program has had an immeasurable impact on students and the college.

Weatherford Awards

Chris Botti, Musician and Composer: Botti, a native of Corvallis, is the world’s largest selling jazz instrumentalist. This past year he won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album for “Impressions.”

Bert Sperling ‘77, Sperling’s Best Places: For nearly three decades, Sperling has worked to find what makes a livable city or community. His lists of the Best Places to Live and many other rankings are routinely cited by some of the top media outlets in the country, including the New York Times, USA Today and CNN.

 

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Oregon State Advantage Accelerator shows off new space at open house

Rajinikanth Lingampally explains his company Valliscor, one of the first to join the Advantage Accelerator.
Rajinikanth Lingampally explains his company Valliscor, one of the first to join the Advantage Accelerator.

A lot has been happening at the Oregon State Advantage Accelerator.

The program, part of the OSU Advantage initiative, gives support to Oregon State entrepreneurs and inventors and propel startups to create more Oregon companies and jobs.

This summer the first 12 companies joined the Advantage Accelerator, three featuring College of Business students. Earlier this year the program signed a lease to open an office in downtown Corvallis where the eight new interns for the program can work and partner companies can come and interact with mentors, clients and others.

Many got their first look at the space Wednesday at the Advantage Accelerator Open House, the official kickoff for the new offices. Present were OSU President Ed Ray, OSU Vice President for Research Rick Spinrad, College of Business Dean Ilene Kleinsorge, Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning and many others from the Oregon business community.

Take a look at some of the sights from the evening below, and read more about the event from the Barometer.

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Eric Allyn shares his advice for a successful family business

Eric Allyn, a fourth-generation owner of medical device manufacturer Welch Allyn, Inc., will serve as the inaugural keynote speaker for the Austin Family Business Program’s Excellence in Family Business Awards, being held tonight at the Governor Hotel in Portland.

Allyn has been a strong advocate for family business throughout his career, and recently sat down with AFBP for a Q&A in advance of tonight’s keynote address.

Eric Allyn is the keynote speaker at the 2013 Excellence in Family Business Awards.
Eric Allyn is the keynote speaker at the 2013 Excellence in Family Business Awards.

Oldest family business owner: 78, third generation
Youngest family business owner: Due December 31
Number of family members working in the operating business: 2 Ownership generations: 3rd, 4th and 5th generations
Last family vacation destination: Skaneateles NY

Family business book that you recommend most often: John Ward and Jennifer Pendergast’s “Building a Successful Family Business Board: A Guide for Leaders, Directors, and Families” and any case studies of family businesses, such as the Mondavi family or the Busch family case.

Best advice you’ve given your children: I don’t expect them to be great managers of our business but I do expect them to be great stewards!

Best business decision you made as an executive in the family business: By far the best decision was to insist that we move the governance of our business from family management to family ownership with outside management.

How would you describe your work in family business education: Our company transitioned to a non-family CEO in 2007 and I stayed two years to help the transition. I was elected chairman by our board and now serve other families by speaking to leadership groups and in sit- ting on family business boards in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. What I enjoy doing most is sharing the Welch Allyn story to prepare the next generation, especially how to use succession planning tools to push the ownership down to the younger generations.

Why are you committed to this work? I think family business should be, and need to be, more competitive than public companies. They can make quicker decisions and ownership is close to management. I have no time for the big public markets and excessive regulations but I will always take the time for people of the next generation.

I love to compete against GE, Phillips and Siemens. There’s a big difference than working for these and for Welch Allyn, Inc. that has long term vision, values the brand and thinks generationally, not quarterly. That makes it more fun to compete against GE in winning a hospital bid. If the customer is really buying value and a long-term solution then we will help them do their work and solve their problems. It’s not transactional and it’s not a commodity. Family businesses can do that much more effectively.

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Oregon State honors Northwest’s top family businesses

It takes a special family to start a business together. Combining the joys but also the pressures of one’s home and work life is no easy task, but the rewards often go beyond either on its own.

This year Oregon State’s Austin Family Business Program is once again honoring the best family enterprises in the Northwest with the Excellence in Family Business Awards Nov. 21 at the Governor Hotel in Portland. In conjunction, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber officially proclaimed the day Family Business Day in the state.

This year’s honorees have a diverse range of talents and industries, but all show a commitment to family, community and being good stewards of ventures being passed down the generations.

Learn more about the award winners below, and join us Nov. 21 to help honor them and all family enterprises.

2013 Excellence in Family Business Awards honorees:

Micro (Nine or fewer employees)

Started by Oregon State alumni Norman and wife Judy Kujala in 1978, Skipanon Brand Seafood of Warrenton is being honored as the Micro Family Business of the Year. Skipanon is now run by Krujala’s sons, Mark and Paul, with siblings Andy and Marie also working with the business.

Hanson Family Singers of Veneta and TnT Builders, Inc., of Albany will be recognized as finalists.

Small (10-24 employees)

S. Brooks & Associates, Inc. or Brooks Staffing of Portland was started by Sam and Margaret Brooks in 1981. In that time the couple has grown the business and their role in the community. Sam founded the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs and is active with the National Small Business Development Center and the National Business Incubator Association, among others. Daughter Simone is now president of the company while Marion serves on the board.

C.M. & W.O. Sheppard of Hood River and Rose City Label Company of Portland were finalists.

Medium (25-99 employees)

Springfield-based Aggregate Resource Industries, Inc., started in 1978 when Bob “BJ” Jeremiah and his wife Sandy started the business as a used logging and construction equipment provider. The company expanded to drilling and blasting in the 1980s, and BJ continued to push the business forward until his passing from ALS. The company is now led by the next generation as son Kris, president of ARI, and Katie, vice president and general counsel, have joined the business.

Medium category finalists are BedMart of Wilsonville and Hagan Hamilton Insurance Sales of McMinnville.

Large (100 or more employees)

Reliance Connects & Day Wireless Systems of Estacada traces its history back more than 100 years to the founding of Estacada Telephone in 1905. The business is now the largest Motorola Outlet in the USA, serving school districts, universities, federal agencies and 57 Fortune 100 companies.

Also recognized in the large category as finalists were Portland’s Andina Restaurant and Enterprise’s Chrisman Development, Inc.

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Students make professional connections at Industry Info Sessions

Oregon State College of Business student Elizabeth Yamada didn’t know what to expect when she sat in on her first Industry Information Session.

Yamada is hoping to join the MECOP business and engineering internship program and wanted to hear from representatives of the Boeing Company, one of the session’s featured companies and a MECOP sponsor as well.

She spoke with Boeing Project Manager Katie Schuberg, an OSU Finance and MBA graduate and former MECOP intern herself.

Yamada left with her questions answered, a new contact at a company she’d love to work with and renewed confidence in her path.

“[Schuberg] was also a MECOP intern, and hearing she doesn’t have a technical background — like me — I needed to hear that,” Yamada said.

Put on by the College of Business Career Success Center, Industry Information Sessions bring representatives from multiple companies to Bexell Hall 328 at 4 p.m. every Tuesday.

Every session focuses on a different industry, allowing students to meet with recruiters, find out more about companies and start networking for future jobs and internships.

Fall term’s first session featured the aviation industry, with representatives from Boeing, the Port of Portland and Evergreen Aviation.

Yamada said the environment was welcoming, with recruiters open to questions and eager to give advice.

“It’s not as scary as it sounds like,” she said. “When they announce it in class, networking can sound intimidating, but the recruiters are just like we are.”

Schuberg said she enjoys coming back to Corvallis as a Boeing rep now, and encourages students to attend as many professional events as they can before graduating.

“It’s about opening students’ eyes to the possibilities at a company,” she said of her role on campus visits. “I never thought about Boeing until I was there.”

The sessions and in-person contact with a representative can also be tools when looking for future positions.

“That face-to-face interaction with representatives from a company is huge,” Schuberg added. “We do take resumes and answer questions, and it shows you’re proactive.”

For her, that active role in the job search is the best thing a student can do.

“You’re the only one looking out for yourself,” Schuberg said. “Put yourself out on a limb sometimes.”

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Exploring the changing world of design

North Carolina State University Professor Meredith Davis gives a talk at Oregon State Oct. 5
North Carolina State University Professor Meredith Davis gives a talk at Oregon State Oct. 5

Meredith Davis has seen major shifts in the design industry in her nearly 30 years as an educator.

As the complexity of the field has increased so has the need for collaboration across disciplines, both inside and outside the classroom, Davis said at a talk at Oregon State University Oct. 5.

The Professor of Graphic Design and Director of Graduate Programs in Graphic Design at North Carolina State University came as a guest of the Graphic Design faculty at the OSU School of Design and Human Environment.

A leading design educator, Davis is a 2005 National Medalist of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and now serves on the AIGA Visionary Council to define “The Designer of 2015.” (Oregon State alumnus Darrin Crescenzi recently spoke to AIGA about his views on the future of design.)

The talk, titled “The Changing Context for Design Practice,” touched on a some key questions for designers to consider as the craft changes over the coming years.

She sees the rapid advancement of technology making design tools easier for non-designers. That’s moved the industry away from its craft-based tradition to a more strategy-focused role.

“We have to teach collaboration and evaluate it,” Davis said. “If you don’t, you say it doesn’t matter.”

That makes it more important than ever for designers to be able to communicate with those in other areas — specifically business and technology. Davis noted that 65 percent of graphic design is now screen-based only and that a majority of her students are now working in software design.

Davis was impressed with Oregon State’s efforts to bring designers in contact with other disciplines, with SDHE moving into the College of Business last year.

“You’ve made an enormous step by pulling design into business and starting that collaboration,” she said.

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Photos: Austin Hall team celebrates building “top out”

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(from left) Construction Manager Cory Destefano and College of Business Dean Ilene Kleinsorge stand in Austin Hall.

Work has been moving quickly at the Austin Hall construction site.

The first preliminary work started in February. The official construction launch was two months later with a ceremony April 19. Then on Friday, August 2, the crew from Andersen Construction reached “top out,” finishing the roof of the four-floor building.

The milestone was also a chance for everyone involved to take a moment and appreciate all the hard work that’s gone into the building, with a barbecue for crew members held inside the structure of the new building on Monday.

“We celebrate; it’s a huge undertaking to get to this point,” said Construction Manager Cory Destefano on reaching top out. “The building is complete now. You’re up at the highest elevation you’re going to go.”

Around 200 were treated to a lunch from Pig Out BBQ, including some College of Business faculty and staff involved in the design process.

College of Business Dean Ilene Kleinsorge spoke to the crowd, letting everyone know how much the Oregon State and College of Business communities appreciated their hard work to keep the project on schedule.

“I want you to know your work is watched all over the world by our alumni, and they are astounded how quickly your work has come together,” Kleinsorge said.

Check out some photos from the event, including a look inside the new building from a tour COB faculty and staff received after the barbecue.

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Some College of Business photos you may have missed

Each school year the Oregon State College of Business takes a lot of photos, and not all of them get used in publications, posted on the blog or put into galleries on Facebook. We try, really, but like we said, we take a lot of photos.

Summer gives us a chance to look back a bit, so we wanted to share some of our favorite photos that may have slipped under the radar a bit. Thanks to all the great students, staff and alumni pictured and who helped make the moments we captured so special.

Students prepare to use the photo booth at the Undergraduate Celebration in June.
Students prepare to use the photo booth at the Undergraduate Celebration in June.
A guest looks through student work at the Graphic Design Senior Show in June.
A guest looks through student work at the Graphic Design Senior Show in June.
College of Business Dean Ilene Kleinsorge takes part in Dancing with the OSU Stars.
College of Business Dean Ilene Kleinsorge takes part in Dancing with the OSU Stars.
School of Design and Human Environment students network during the annual SDHE Career Symposium in February.
School of Design and Human Environment students network during the annual SDHE Career Symposium in February.
Jon DeVann, corporate vice president of Windows Development for Microsoft, Speaks during his Dean's Distinguished Lecture in January.
Jon DeVaan, corporate vice president of Windows Development for Microsoft, Speaks during his Dean’s Distinguished Lecture in January.
Assistant Professor Bret Scott jokes with students at Convocation in January.
Assistant Professor Bret Scott jokes with students at Convocation in January.
Former Oregon Gov. Barbara Roberts holds up her Weatherford Award in February.
Former Oregon Gov. Barbara Roberts holds up her Weatherford Award in February.
Panda Express co-CEO Peggy Chern high-fives Panda Express employees at the Dean's Distinguished Lecture in October.
Panda Express co-CEO Peggy Cherng high-fives Panda Express employees at the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture in October.
OSU Outspoken sings at a reception for CH2M Hill CEO Lee McIntire after his Dean's Distinguished Lecture in April.
OSU Outspoken sings at a reception for CH2M Hill CEO Lee McIntire after his Dean’s Distinguished Lecture in April.
(right) Student Michael Williams explains his Multicopter Northwest business at the CEO Summit in Portland in May.
(right) Student Michael Williams explains his Multicopter Northwest business at the CEO Summit in Portland in May.
MBA candidate Jonathan Truong gets creative during the annual MBA Business Plan Compeition Elevator Pitch.
MBA candidate Jonathan Truong gets creative during the annual MBA Business Plan Competition Elevator Pitch.
Benny shows the way at the Austin Hall Construction launch in April.
Benny shows the way at the Austin Hall Construction launch in April.
A backhoe moves on the future site of Austin Hall with Weatherford Hall in the background.
A backhoe moves on the future site of Austin Hall with Weatherford Hall in the background.
Brian Holmes, center, reacts as a problem is fixed while Microsoft Developer Evangelist Bret Stateham (standing) and JB can Hecke (left) look on.
Brian Holmes, center, reacts as a problem is fixed while Microsoft Developer Evangelist Bret Stateham (standing) and JB can Hecke (left) look on.
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Austin Family Business Program honors founding director Pat Frishkoff

Pat Frishkoff reacts as it's announced the new AFBP director's office at AUstin Hall will be named in her honor.
Pat Frishkoff reacts as it’s announced the new AFBP director’s office at AUstin Hall will be named in her honor.

With the opening of Austin Hall in 2014, the Austin Family Business Program is taking the opportunity to honor one of the pioneers of family business at Oregon State.

For years, the advisory board of the Austin Family Business Program had wanted to find a way to honor the program’s founder, Pat Frishkoff.

Frishkoff worked to start the program in 1985, at a time when there was little emphasis on family business in universities. After retiring from OSU in 2002, she continued to help families through her Leadership in Family Enterprise organization.

“What she put together was the beginning of family business education,” AFBP Director Sherri Noxel said. “The only other program that existed was at Wharton, and that was very different, more consulting focused. Pat was able to develop family business education integrated into an existing college of business.”

The perfect opportunity finally presented itself with the construction of Austin Hall, the new home for the College of Business. The new building is named for Ken and Joan Austin, who provided a $10 million gift for the project and also supported Frishkoff’s efforts in 1985.

Austin Hall means a new home for AFBP as well, including a new director’s office. With that opportunity presented, a group of anonymous donors stepped forward to name the office in Frishkoff’s honor.

“That reflects the community we’ve built, with not just one but multiple people stepping up,” Noxel said. “I just couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to honor her than to have a space dedicated to future directors.”

The honor was announced April 19, the same day as the construction launch for Austin Hall, at a gathering at the current AFBP space in Strand Agriculture Hall.

The honor was kept secret from Frishkoff until Noxel raised a toast and presented her with a bouquet of roses.

“Her husband [Paul Frishkoff] was in on it,” Noxel said. “Only later I learned he can’t keep a secret. [Pat] said at the end of the day, ‘You mean Paul knew?’”