mba annual Report 2019–20 byu marriott school of business Contents

Feature Story 04 Flourishing in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Student Life 10 Faculty News 18 Alumni Updates 26 Program Support 36

All communication should be sent to: MBA Program BYU Marriott School of Business W437 Tanner Building Provo, UT 84602 Phone: (801) 422-7586 Email: [email protected]

This report is published by BYU Marriott’s MBA Program with help from the BYU Marriott External Relations Office and BYU Publications & Graphics. ©2020 by Brigham Young University. All rights reserved.

C Members of the MBA program work together during a team-building activity at Camp Williams. At the beginning of every year, members of BYU Marriott’s MBA and EMBA programs participate in a one-day team-building activity at the camp. Photo by Dave Jungheim.

BYU MARRIOTT MBA 1 January April The 2019–20 Year at a Glance Infinity and beyond Diploma Day The MBA family home evening Although no commence- group visits the BYU Planetarium. ment or convocation They listen to Alan Stern, a plan- gatherings are held November etary scientist and engineer for because of COVID-19 You’re hired NASA, who speaks about the New restrictions, more than Horizons mission to Pluto. 200 students graduate More than three hundred students and nearly thirty compa- as BYU Marriott’s MBA nies gather at the first-ever Silicon SlopesBYU Marriott MBA and EMBA class of 2020. Student Career Fair, which gives students the opportunity to Congratulations to our connect with local companies and startups. August grads and all those who February support them! Welcome, welcome Dean Brigitte C. Madrian wel- A hole in one comes the BYU Marriott MBA MBA students from the incoming class of 2019–20. During Product Management the first week of school,MBA and Association gather at EMBA students meet faculty and Topgolf for a fun group staff and join in orientation and activity sponsored by team-building activities. several local companies.

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECE MBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL

October March Give it to me Shredding at Sundance straight MBA students from the Supply Chain and BYU MBA students partici- Operations Association attend the annual ski trip pate in monthly info sessions, at Sundance Mountain Resort. The activity is where they chat with prospec- designed to strengthen connections within the tive students who come to supply chain cohort. campus (or other locations) to learn about the program from those inside it.

December September A tech trek All aboard Students participate in one of several Linda A. Brandl, VP of marketing and sales operations at tech trips scheduled throughout the Union Pacific, speaks at a Women in Management Club year. The Texas group visits multiple event. Brandl shares key insights—build your reputation, companies in the Dallas and Austin take the risk, be adaptable—that she’s gained over her markets, touring companies and meet- impressive thirty-one-year career. ing with executives and BYU alumni.

2 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 3 By Christopher K. Bigelow

Photos by Bradley H. Slade

anner Nordstrom knew the time was right One student’s journey to start his new business, Hivewire. But Nordstrom also knew he had a problem: highlights the power of BYU he needed to quickly advance his skills, tools, and knowledge to move his new business Marriott’s MBA program. from idea to entity in a fast-moving industry. Nordstrom was no novice. He had already started a small, successful, Knowing You Need to Know More niche consulting business, which generated Someone on the outside looking in might won- observations that led to his new venture. der why Nordstrom would even bother with But this time he had bigger plans, plans that an MBA. After all, he already had one success- required him to find valuable mentors and ful startup under his belt. Just rinse and repeat. personal growth opportunities. For that, he “I knew that what I wanted to build next decided to pursue an MBA at the BYU Marriott was going to be significant in ways that I had School of Business. never experienced,” Nordstrom says. “It was

4 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT going to be hard in ways that I could not anticipate.” BYU Cougar Capital partners with venture-capital ing as well as support and validation that he was The pair won. The opening paragraph of the Academics section and private-equity firms and becomes a member onto something. If he didn’t win, he’d still receive Nordstrom stayed on campus that summer, holed of BYU Marriott’s MBA program website reads, of the syndicate team conducting due diligence valuable feedback that could help him refine his away in a study room figuring out the best way to “Success in business comes from knowing which ques- on potential investments. When appropriate, BYU approach. use the competition prize money to start Hivewire. tions to ask in any given situation. By asking the right Cougar Capital co-invests with the industry partners So Nordstrom, along with BYU computer science “Jacob and I used that summer to build a proof of questions, businesses can avoid costly mistakes. The in the deal. major Jacob Shumway, joined forces in hopes of concept,” Nordstrom says. “We took the proof of BYU Marriott MBA prepares its students to recognize “The opportunity to run the fund and make real winning the competition series. Nordstrom’s first concept and showed it to potential customers. Their problems and ask the right questions to get to correct deals, analyze real companies, invest real money—it engineering hire at his previous startup, Shumway feedback has strongly informed the first version of solutions quickly.” (italics added) taught me so much,” says Nordstrom. would become the technical co-founder and CTO the product that we built.” It sounded exactly like what Nordstrom was Started in 2005 by entrepreneurship professor of Hivewire. Funding and an invaluable co-founder/CTO looking for. What’s more, the program offered an Gary Williams, BYU Cougar Capital has produced “Jacob and I took an early version of Hivewire wasn’t the only thing Nordstrom gained from entrepreneurship track, with classes that seemed alumni who currently work in private equity, and made it through to the final stage of the main competing in the Miller Series; he also met another tailored for him: venture capital and private equity, venture capital, investment banking, government, competition, where we pitched in front of around business partner. business finance, entrepreneurial strategy, opera- and award-winning entrepreneurial startups. Forbes one thousand people along with a panel of venture Dave Christison, a 2018 BYU Marriott MBA tions management, and creating new ventures. magazine designated BYU Cougar Capital one of the capitalist judges,” said Nordstrom. grad, served as Nordstrom’s practice judge while Sold. most innovative business classes in America. “The MBA program put me in an environment “We started BYU Cougar Capital with about where I was able to challenge myself to grow in ways $600,000 in donated funds,” Williams says. “The fund that I didn’t think I could,” Nordstrom says. “It’s an has a market value now of several million dollars. “Now as I interface with investors on a daily basis, as I look at ecosystem of entrepreneurial success.” Students have invested in fifty-two different compa- This ecosystem exists on three key experiential nies since its inception.” job applicants, as I look at how I’m managing our strategy, it’s all principles: Learn, Do, and Become. BYU Cougar Capital—and the MBA program as a whole—taught Nordstrom to think like a venture things that we experienced in BYU Cougar Capital every day.” capitalist, observes Grant McQueen, BYU Marriott’s LEARN William F. Edwards Professor of Finance and Guided by the Gurus director of the MBA program. “He learned entrepre- The foundation of BYU Marriott’s MBA program is neurial strategies,” McQueen says. “He learned how its faculty. Nordstrom noticed that the entrepreneur- to raise money. He learned how to prepare a pitch ship program had made the top ten in the Princeton deck so he could go to venture capitalists himself Review for nine straight years. and get investments in his new business, Hivewire.” “The faculty are at the heart of student success,” Nordstrom agrees. “In BYU Cougar Capital, I was Nordstrom says. “It’s not just what they teach you— the venture capitalist listening to pitches and decid- which is must-have knowledge—it’s also what they ing who to invest in,” he says. “I saw it from the can do for you. They can be your guide and mentor. other side, so I realized what I needed to do when I They can introduce you to people and organizations made my own pitch to VCs. Now as I interface with that can help you.” They can even lead you to angel investors on a daily basis, as I look at job applicants, investors for your idea, if they like your pitch.” as I look at how I’m managing our strategy, it’s all During the 2017–18 school year, BYU students were things that we experienced in BYU Cougar Capital supported by 140 donors and 182 mentors and were every day.” awarded nearly $630,000 to work on, validate, and launch business ideas. Make Your Pitch Armed with invaluable industry and customer pain point insights, Nordstrom was prepared to enter the DO Miller Competition Series. This competition series The Real Deal takes place throughout the school year and features BYU Cougar Capital is a venture capital and private eight separate competitions, culminating with the equity fund run by second-year MBA students. final New Venture Challenge. “Absolutely the most profound experience for me in Nordstrom knew that the Miller Competition the MBA program was being a part of BYU Cougar Series would be the perfect proving ground for his Capital,” Nordstrom says. business pitch. If he won, he would receive fund-

6 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT invitation only. If you win your region, you go on people along the way—teachers, fellow students, to the international competition. In the last four alumni—creating the support structure that has years, at the graduate level, BYU has taken first in helped Tanner launch his company,” he says. “It’s the world twice and second twice.” the same for students in all our tracks. The MBA Nordstrom appreciates the reputation BYU has ecosystem helps our students launch and thrive in built. “I’ve talked to startup founders who have their careers.” competed against BYU at VCIC,” he says. “One told me, ‘You guys are on another level—it felt more like a What’s All the Buzz About? top-tier venture capital firm, not a group of students.’” Nordstrom’s brainchild, Hivewire, is now up and running—and growing fast. Hivewire is a software where teams create flexible BECOME workflow management tools without needing tech- The Powerful Web We Weave nical skills. Hivewire is for teams whose processes The connections students make during their time as deserve something better than spreadsheets and BYU Marriott MBA students are another key compo- Trello boards but don’t warrant a large purchase nent of the ecosystem. Fellow students, faculty, and such as Salesforce or Smartsheet. a powerful alumni network all come together into a Current customers are using Hivewire to build: world-class support system as students and gradu- • A high-volume onboarding tool with personalized ates move through different phases of their careers. views and real-time collaboration “The Marriott MBA network provides a massive amount of support,” Nordstrom says. “My network • A lightweight CRM to track pipeline and create has played a part in fundraising, product testing, dashboards making key introductions to other potential custom- • A flexible project-management tool to coordinate ers, and helping us find great use cases. I can reach team tasks and deliverables out to those friends and associations I made during the program, and they will always be there to help.” As a result, these customers are saving time and That support isn’t unique to Nordstrom, says money by using the right software, created by them. Williams. “It is fascinating to see the intercon- “I launched Hivewire the week of graduation,” nected web of support for Tanner, emblematic of Nordstrom says. “I recently closed a round of fund- the ecosystem that fosters and feeds all of our MBA ing with amazing investors, and together with Jacob students,” he says. “Tanner came into the BYU and Dave, we are building a dream team to make “The process is a living ecosys- Competition (VCIC). This worldwide competition Cougar Capital class as a first-year student. When this ambitious idea become what we envision.” features fifty-plus events per year on four continents. he came out, he had his pitch deck together and tem that’s constantly growing— Divided into undergraduate and graduate divisions, went out to raise capital and build his company. The End Is Just the Beginning participating teams of students act as investors. They At one of the firms he approached, the managing The value of the program and its ecosystem, how- a powerful, dynamic resource listen to real entrepreneurs pitching ideas to earn director was an alumnus of the program. Tanner ever, doesn’t end when the last exam is taken and investment in their startups. also presented to a Silicon Valley venture firm that the MBA degree is in hand. It continues into the to help you become what you Though Nordstrom didn’t compete in VCIC, he worked with during his time in BYU Cougar future. want to become.” Christison did. Capital. He found another investor in one of our “Each MBA student has an experience unique to During the competition, real venture capitalists MBA graduates from 2006. them,” Nordstrom says. “If you go into the program serve as judges. Student teams choose winning “But it doesn’t end there,” Williams contin- with the right attitude and a high level of engage- pitches, and then judges score teams based on how ues. “Tanner recruited a graduate from last year ment, you’ll find an irreplaceable opportunity to Nordstrom was preparing for the competition real-life VCs would rate the pitches. Even though [Christison] to help him cofound Hivewire and get develop skills and frameworks that will elevate you series. Nordstrom made a strong enough case entrepreneurs don’t receive investment dollars it off the ground. And the attorney who closed the personally and professionally. that Christison stayed with the project, eventually through the competition, more than a quarter of transaction was one of our grads. The process is a “I went into the MBA program determined to becoming Hivewire’s third co-founder and COO. them go on to raise the capital they need after par- living ecosystem that’s constantly growing—a pow- launch my software idea,” he continues, “and I selec- ticipating at VCIC. The feedback they get on their erful, dynamic resource to help you become what tively invested my time and energy in the classes Investment Competition pitches helps make the difference. you want to become.” and experiences that I felt would support that goal. Another valuable option in the MBA program entre- “At VCIC, you’ve got the top seventy MBA McQueen agrees. “From idea to education, to For me, it was exactly what I needed, and the results preneur ecosystem is the Venture Capital Investment programs around the world,” Williams says. “It’s contacts, and to fundraising, there’s this web of are evident just six months after graduation.

8 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 9 Student Life

In addition to establishing exceptional aca- demic track records, BYU Marriott MBA and EMBA students bring with them distinctive life experiences that have taught them how to collaborate, prioritize, and persevere. Second-year MBA student Peter Klobcic is no exception. Klobcic was only five years old when his home country, the Republic of Slovenia, officially declared independence from Yugoslavia, and his journey to the BYU Marriott MBA program has included overcom- ing dyslexia, serving a mission, and working as a mechanical engineer before finally ending up in Provo. Read about Klobcic on page 17.

10 student life student life

Student Report True-Blue Ruth Returns

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS MBA EMBA Class of 2019 accepted a position as senior vice president of global public affairs at Nu Skin, where she has worked for Class of 2019 140 70 placement by profession the past six years. Her success has allowed her to vol- Female 21% 26% unteer with local charities, including United Way, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the American Married 68% 86% Cancer Society. International 12% 6% Todd says her latest position with Nu Skin is what prompted her to enroll in BYU Marriott’s EMBA pro- Minority 4% 6% gram. “Working for a publicly traded global company Bilingual 74% 61% was a new opportunity for me,” she says. “I knew greater financial literacy would enable me to do my Average years of experience 4 12 job better, and returning to school for a master in Returned missionaries 86% 65% business administration seemed like a good idea, so back to BYU I came!” Average entering GPA 3.55 3.45 BYU Marriott’s EMBA program describes itself as Average GMAT 675 645 taking working professionals and creating complete leaders. Instead of focusing solely on traditional business leadership skills, professors tie elements of CLASS OF 2019 MBA 11% Consulting 28% Marketing & Sales the gospel of Jesus Christ into business learning to educate the mind, heart, and spirit of each student. Average base salary $108,000 19% Finance 11% Supply Chain/ Operations While navigating around traditional business sched- Placed by 3 months after graduation 92% 9% General Management ules, students can get their MBA without having to 7% Other put their careers on hold. Average signing bonus $16,000 15% Human Resources This focus, along with Todd’s identity as a “true- hirty-seven years after completing her commu- blue Cougar,” are what led her to choose the EMBA T nications undergrad, former news anchor and program at BYU Marriott. “I chose BYU for its highly MBA Rankings adjunct faculty member Ruth Todd is thrilled to be ranked, quality education, stellar faculty, proximity to back at BYU, this time as a student in the BYU Marriott my home and work, and emphasis on one’s total life RANK PROGRAM SOURCE Executive MBA program. beyond the office,” says Todd. “I’m back in school to Todd is a familiar face to many in Utah and even learn new skills that will hopefully make me a more #1 MBA (Most Family Friendly) The Princeton Review nationally. She worked as an award-winning televi- valuable employee and a better person.” #1 MBA (Human Resources) The Princeton Review sion news anchor in Salt Lake City for NBC affiliate Now in her second year of the program, Todd has KSL and later for KTVX’s ABC4 News. She also spent been thoroughly impressed with the faculty, staff, and #7 MBA (Operations) The Princeton Review time anchoring in Phoenix for KTVK’s ABC News and curriculum at BYU Marriott, but she feels the best part #8 MBA (Most Competitive Students) The Princeton Review in Washington, DC, for both CBS and ABC affiliates. of her experience may be her classmates. “The breadth She even had a small role playing herself in a fictional and depth of their collective work experience and #12 MBA (Entrepreneurship) The Princeton Review news segment in the movie The RM. their willingness to share with our class has certainly #24 in U.S. MBA Forbes After twenty-five years in news broadcasting, Todd enriched our learning,” Todd says. “The esprit de corps returned to BYU in 2007 to teach at the College of among our cohort is exceptional and makes for engag- #27 in U.S. MBA Bloomberg Businessweek Fine Arts and Communications for four years and ing and inspired learning every time we are together.” #47 in the World MBA The Economist remains a member of the BYU Alumni board. In 2011 As the class of 2020, Todd and her fellow EMBA Todd joined the public affairs team for The Church of students sometimes joke that they are the “class with #78 in the World MBA Financial Times Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and then in 2014 she vision—twenty-twenty vision, that is.”

12 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 13 student life student life

It Takes a Village 2019 Case Competition

Erickson knows firsthand how association also provided meals Highlights special the association can be for and support while the husband spouses of new MBA students. was gone. “Life still happens in When her husband, Denver, the MBA,” says Erickson. “But the n all-women, all-star BYU Marriott MBA team won first place at a national started his MBA degree in 2018, association creates a family atmo- A supply chain case competition hosted at Texas Christian University. The Erickson found the transition sphere so your family can get the competition, held 22–23 February 2019, tasked the students with solving a difficult. “It was scary for me to support it needs.” case problem regarding same-day delivery of apparel products to a broad have a new baby and come into In addition to regular activities area of customers in a large metropolitan area. The BYU Marriott winning this new program and not have a and events, spouses also often get team included Elise Hardle from Provo; Reenu Raj from Bangalore, India; village or people I could turn to,” together for more low-key meet- Fernanda Sayavedra from Mexico City; and Paige Woodward from Salt Lake says Erickson. “I started going to ups. “The big events are fun, and City. The students were awarded a cash prize of $10,000 for their victory. MBASA events and activities, and the workshops are helpful, but it’s there were people supporting me those little moments of like, ‘Hey, who had been through similar things are really hard right now. experiences. The group became Who wants to run out and get a our BYU Marriott MBA students took second place at the annual Adam my friends and my village.” After chocolate-chip cookie with me?’ F Smith Society Case Competition against nine other top business being welcomed to the associa- that make a big difference for me,” schools. Hosted in February 2019, the competition presented students with tion with open arms her first year, says Erickson. the issue of driverless cars. The MBA team consisted of Jeremy Banner Erickson became president this BYU MBA students and their from Valdez, Alaska; Boston Blake from Little Rock, Arkansas; Josh Brooks amed the most family- year and is committed to help spouses are automatically added from Mesa, Arizona; and Ruchika Goel from Rourkela, India. After collec- N friendly MBA program for others feel as supported as she has. to MBASA upon acceptance into tively putting in more than forty-five hours of work, the team was awarded the fourteenth year in a row, BYU One of MBASA’s largest events the program. For Erickson, her a cash prize of $4,000. Marriott works to cultivate an is the Gifts of the Heart Exchange. involvement in the MBASA helped environment that helps students Three or four times a year, the her find her village. She hopes balance both their rigorous course- association plans a large clothing the association can help spouses work and their families. Because drive for the community. Last year adjust to and thrive in the MBA YU Marriott MBA students placed second overall at the Venture Capital 70 percent of BYU MBA students a family walked in, and none of program. “When you’re put in a B Investment Competition (VCIC) in April 2019. After taking first place at are married, BYU’s MBA Spouses the children were wearing shoes. supportive role and your spouse the regional competition in February 2019, the BYU Marriott team traveled Association (MBASA) connects “Not only did the family leave is taking the time to accomplish to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for a three-day global competition for the spouses of MBA students with a with shoes but also clothes and a big goal or follow a dream, you world title against thirteen other schools. The BYU team was awarded a cash support system of others in similar whatever else they needed as well,” can often feel like your job is prize of $2,500. The team included Rachel Whitlock and Bryce Pinder of life circumstances. says Erickson. to just be a cheerleader,” says Orem; Derek Croft of Midvale, Utah; Landon Essig of Centerville, Utah; MBASA works to make members Erickson recalls another expe- Erickson. “But during that time, Drew Romney of Mesa, Arizona; and Jared Skousen of Draper, Utah feel included during their spouse’s rience when the MBASA had the you can also be bettering your- time in the MBA program through opportunity to serve an MBA fam- self, magnifying your talents, and weekly activities, service opportu- ily expecting triplets. “The mother doing a lot of good in the world.” nities, playdates, group nights out, was put on bedrest while living Erickson hopes every MBA hree BYU Marriott MBA students won first place and took home the and everything in between. “Your on the third floor of her apart- spouse finds their village through T $35,000 cash prize at the 2019 Adobe Analytics Challenge in San Jose, spouse is gone a lot, and you’re ment,” she explains. A fellow MBA the association. “Life after the California. BYU Marriott’s winning team included Joseph Heywood from alone a lot,” says MBASA’s current family on the first floor offered to MBA is still going to be hard, Queen Creek, Arizona; Ryan Tucker from Papillion, Nebraska; and Kyle president, Jacquie Erickson. “This switch apartments, and with the but MBASA gives you tools and Wong from Hong Kong. Advising the team was assistant professor Cody association gets people out and help of MBASA, the two families resources so you can continue to Reeves. The Adobe Analytics Challenge is a nationwide, analytics-focused connected to other people.” switched apartments in a day. The thrive,” she says. business case competition.

14 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 15 student life student life

BYU Marriott MBA Scholars From the Alps to the Rockies

YU Marriott MBA students are recognized for their uncommon maturity, confidence, and experiences. eter Klobcic was five years says. “We’ll see how it compares to B They excel in many ways, including academically. Top MBA scholars are honored annually through the P old when his home country, the snow from back home.” Hawes, Stoddard, and Eccles Scholars programs. the Republic of Slovenia, officially In 2005, Klobcic moved away declared independence from from his home near the Alps to the communist Yugoslavia in 1991. In country’s capital, Ljubljana, where the past thirty years, many expe- he pursued a degree in mechanical Hawes Scholars riences, including growing up as engineering from the University The Brigham Young University Marriott School of one of only a few members of of Ljubljana. Nearly six years later, Business named eleven 2019–2020 Hawes Scholars, The Church of Jesus Christ of Klobcic finished his degree and left an honor that carries the highest distinction given to Latter-day Saints in his country on a mission to London, England, MBA students at the school, along with a cash award and studying to become a just two days after graduation. of $10,000. mechanical engineer, led to his After returning home from The 2019–20 Hawes Scholars are Katie Apker, Neal decision to enroll in the MBA England, Klobcic knew he needed Ball, Josh Brooks, Preston Darger, Jonathan Fortuna, program at BYU Marriott. to find work before pursuing Ruchika Goel, Lawrence Lee, Michael Moore, Jordon In Slovenia in 1993, the Klobcic more schooling. He took a job Patton, Austin Pollard, and Tiago Triumpho. family met two missionaries from with VSR Lab, a company that The Church of Jesus Christ of makes powerboats for Olympic Latter-day Saints and eventually sailing teams. Klobcic saw this joined a small group of Church role as a way to expand upon Stoddard Scholars members in the newly formed the knowledge he gained as a Thirteen Brigham Young University Marriott School country. As the only member of mechanical engineer and eventu- of Business students were honored with the George E. the Church his age in his area, ally transition into business. “A After traveling to Austria to Stoddard Prize, a $5,000 award given to exceptional Klobcic’s experience as a Latter- lot of engineering jobs will focus be officially diagnosed, Klobcic second-year MBA finance students. day Saint was much different from on one small piece of a larger took the GMAT again with the The 2019–2020 Stoddard scholars are Josh Brooks, many of his peers at BYU. project,” Klobcic says. “You don’t additional time given to test-takers Andrew Gordon, Russell Gordon, Bert Grabinger, “I didn’t have access to Scouting get a general picture of everything with dyslexia. This time he earned Ryan Harris, David Lamb, Dallin Larimer, Trevor or institute like many other mem- that’s going on with the project the score he was hoping for. He Lemmons, Stephen Matthews, Sebastian Schaat, bers of the Church have through- as an engineer, so I wanted to get applied and was accepted to BYU Jordan Sheffield, Spenser Warren, and Tyler Woolley. out the world,” he says. “We just into business to be able to do that.” Marriott, where he began classes focused on the basics and tried to Klobcic spent three years at VSR in fall 2018. build up the Church in our area Lab before deciding to go back to Slated to graduate in April 2020, and in our family.” school for an MBA. But taking the Klobcic is grateful for the oppor- Eccles Scholars Klobcic grew up in one of his GMAT and applying to schools tunity he has been given to pivot Eleven students were honored as Eccles Scholars, an country’s most scenic locations, was much more difficult than he in his career. “Studying here has award presented by the school’s Whitmore Global on the slopes of the Alps near the had anticipated. given me insight into what other Management Center. Each recipient was awarded up to Austrian-Italian border, close to “I ended up having a lot of prob- positions within a company I $9,000 of financial aid for schooling expenses, interna- Lake Bled. Having grown up in lems taking the GMAT and didn’t might want to pursue,” he says. tional projects, and global career exploration. such a beautiful area, Klobcic loves get the score that I had hoped for,” “Eventually my wife and I definitely The 2019–2020 Eccles Scholars are Jackson Aquino, being outside and participating in Klobcic recalls. “One day, as I was want to return home to Slovenia Lillian Barton, Marcus Cortez, Jamie Cropper, winter sports such as cross-coun- listening to a radio conversation and be closer to our families. We Matthew Drake, Matt Goodson, Christopher Hansen, try skiing, a sport he trained in about dyslexia, I realized that I had want to use the skills we’ve learned Jonathon Jarman, Taylor Nickel, Matt Sabey, and for eight years. “I still need to test a lot of the same symptoms the here to build up the Church and Spencer Stevens. Utah’s ‘greatest snow on earth,’” he radio hosts were talking about.” our families in Slovenia.”

16 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 17 Faculty News

Exceptional scholars, outstanding teachers, generous with students inside and outside of the classroom, BYU Marriott MBA/EMBA professors are at the heart of the remark- able environment for learning and discovery found at BYU Marriott. Mark Hansen is one of many faculty members who devote their time to both research and teaching as they work to ensure that MBA/EMBA students enjoy numerous opportunities to learn, collaborate, and research during their time in the programs. Read about Hansen on page 23.

18 faculty news faculty news

Faculty Awards Leading from Professorships Fellowships Behind the Scenes

PROFESSORSHIP 2019–20 RECIPIENT FELLOWSHIP 2019–20 RECIPIENT tremendous asset to the success of she says. “But when everything’s Beesley, Horace Pratt Jeffrey H. Dyer Alumni Mathew D. Duerden the MBA program.” done and you know somebody’s Auxier recalls many times when got something out of the event, it’s Brown, Denny L. & Jerri Hal B. Heaton Alumni Ryan S. Elder a problem occurred—a food order all worth it.” Deloitte Monte R. Swain Brown, Denny L. & Jerri Colbrin A. Wright didn’t arrive on time or a reserved One of her favorite events is the event space was suddenly unavail- EMBA business trip, which takes Edwards, William F. Grant R. McQueen Christensen, able—but she found a way to make a full year to plan. Her previous Jeffrey P. Dotson Jones, Alice Belle Kirsten B. DeTienne Don M. & Arda Jean everything work in the end. Her business trips included visits to positivity during stressful times Asia and South America. In 2019, Low, William & Roceil Paul C. Godfrey David & Knight Mark J. Keith shone. “If you are kind and helpful she got to attend the Europe Meyer, Fred G. R. Bruce Money Edwards, William F. Michael P. Thompson ehind every BYU Marriott to others, you get back more,” she trip, fulfilling one of her lifelong B MBA event over the last says. “I find if I show my skills, dreams of visiting that part of the National Advisory Council Kim B. Clark Farr, Loran Nile W. Hatch twenty years, Debbie Auxier has be kind to others, listen, and take world. During the EMBA trips, she Passey, James M. Barrett A. Slade Ford/Cook James B. Oldroyd worked tirelessly to make sure the direction well, everything just loves seeing the students evolve event was a success and ran like a comes back tenfold.” and finds joy in knowing she Peery, H. Taylor Steven R. Thorley Garrett, J. Earl & Elaine Glenn L. Christensen well-oiled machine. As MBA event After graduating from Utah helped facilitate that change. “The PwC Earl K. Stice Garrett, J. Earl & Elaine Peter M. Madsen coordinator, Auxier ensures that Valley State College (now Utah students just grow and learn so every detail of the event—food, Valley University) in 1999 with much from those types of activ- Romney, George W. Bradley R. Agle Grow, Stewart L Eva M. Witesman transportation, travel, and every- an associate’s degree in business ities,” she says. “I always enjoy Second Mile Craig B. Merrill Jones, Warren F. & Alice B. Darron M. Billeter thing in between—is taken care of administration, Auxier received doing those trips because I get to so that MBA faculty and students job offers from an accounting see the end result.” Smith, Robert J. Bill Tayler Jones, Warren F. & Alice B. Curtis D. LeBaron can have fun, connect, and further firm as well asBYU Marriott. Her Leaving BYU won’t stop her Staheli, Donald L. John B. Bingham National Advisory Council David G. Kryscynski their education. decision to accept BYU’s offer was from traveling. Auxier’s plans Auxier will be retiring from a no-brainer. “I needed BYU in my for retirement are as open as the Stone, National Advisory Council Troy R. Nielson BYU Marriott in June 2020 after life at that time,” she says. “BYU roads she and her husband hope to W. Gibb Dyer O. Leslie & Dorothy C. Peery, H. Taylor Brian H. Boyer two decades of service. She will offered a spirit that I didn’t think I drive—in the teardrop camper her be remembered by faculty and could get from an accounting firm. husband built. Her husband, Ben, Thorsell, Hazel Speirs Scott E. Sampson PwC Michael S. Drake students for her ability to stay I wanted to be here. Through it all, will also be retiring from BYU this Romney, George W. Jeffery A. Thompson calm under pressure and her I’ve learned even more, and I’ve spring after working in mainte- efforts to be kind to everyone she grown from being here.” nance as a painter for sixteen years. Sorensen, works with. “Debbie is such a joy Throughout her career, she has Visiting the grandkids is at the John W. Gardner David E. & Verla A. to work with, and BYU Marriott worked with BYU Marriott’s MBA top of her list, but for possibly the will miss her greatly. She’s able admissions team, planned events first time in twenty years, she is Sorensen, Lori L. Wadsworth to make even the most stressful for both the MBA and Executive ready to not have to coordinate David E. & Verla A. situations seem manageable,” says MBA programs, and served as a every detail. “Once the camper is BYU Marriott MBA managing mentor to her student employees. finished, we can just pull it with Thorsell, Hazel Speirs Cynthia J. Blair director Treavor Peterson. “She Despite working an often-stressful our SUV, stop it at a campground, White, Georgia Jeffrey S. Bednar doesn’t panic when problems job, Auxier wouldn’t trade her sleep the night, and move on,” arise but just moves forward twenty years at BYU Marriott for Auxier says. “I’m excited to see White, Georgia Shad S. Morris to solve them. She has been a anything. “The job is hard work,” what’s out there.”

20 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 21 faculty news faculty news

Influencing Change Potato Farming, Jimmy Carter, and a BYU Marriott MBA

from the J. Reuben Clark Law work closely with colleagues. “We efore his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, School at BYU in 2003, Howell create an environment where we B his research publications and university lectures, found work in contract negotia- want to work with each other, ask BYU Marriott assistant professor Mark Hansen grew tions. “A big part of contract nego- each other questions, and help up as a potato farmer in southeastern Idaho. While in tiations is getting someone else each other,” Howell says. One high school, Hansen served as the Idaho state pres- to change their position to your such setting is in a course Howell ident of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), long benefit,” Howell explains. “That teaches for HR track students in before Napoleon Dynamite and Pedro Sánchez joined fit in perfectly with my interest in the MBA program—a class she has the organization. “I know that’s something that makes influencing change.” enjoyed teaching at BYU Marriott. people chuckle these days,” Hansen says. “Many peo- After six years, however, Howell As Howell nears the completion ple don’t know that about me, but I was proud to be a felt the need to return to school of her third year at BYU Marri- member of the FFA.” for a PhD. “I was interested in ott, she notes one thing that still Hansen’s position within the FFA led to opportuni- the research part of getting a PhD stands out to her about BYU: ties much larger than tasting milk. As state president, and knew that I needed to have the level of concern the school’s the high schooler traveled across the country to meet a research area, so I looked into faculty has for each student. She some of the nation’s greatest leaders. “That experi- where research on negotiations says, “Faculty at BYU show more ence in FFA opened my eyes,” Hansen recalls. “Here took place,” Howell says. She concern for students than faculty I was this farm boy, yet I got to travel to Washington, found that much of the research members from other institutions DC, and visit with members of Congress and the hile studying as an under- on negotiations was happening I’ve been at.” Howell adds that president, Jimmy Carter.” W graduate at Washington in business schools, so a doctor student needs are a common topic After graduating from high school, Hansen started State University, BYU Marriott’s of philosophy in management of conversation at department a fence-making business for local farmers in the After four years of work at Ford, Hansen decided Taeya Howell enrolled in a study seemed like the right fit. meetings as faculty members Blackfoot, Idaho, area. The business ended up being to pursue additional schooling. Several of the projects abroad program in France. It was Since earning a PhD from the discuss how to prepare students more successful than he expected, helping him earn he was given at Ford revealed his interest in how on that program when Howell first University of Texas at Austin for jobs and how to support them enough money to serve a mission for The Church of decisions are made, so a PhD in strategic management discovered an interest in influenc- in 2014, Howell has researched after they leave BYU. “We are Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hansen served in from Texas A&M University proved to be the right fit. ing change, which grew into the various topics, from influencing focused on the whole person and Bolivia and, for a time, held an administrative position Hansen received his degree in 1996 and accepted a job focus of her research as a professor. change to more recently evalu- helping people develop and gain as the financial secretary for the mission. at BYU, where he has worked ever since. “I decided Howell recalls observing how ating newcomers in the National knowledge they can use through- Even Hansen’s mission president noticed his to come to BYU, and I can honestly say I’ve never often the students in France held Football League. This most recent out their entire lives,” she says. financial secretary’s skills and encouraged him to looked back,” he says. “Coming here was one of the walkouts and protests in an effort research, which looks at what kind Howell further appreciates study business when he returned home. Hansen’s best decisions I’ve ever made.” to bring about change in the edu- of impact being labelled a top draft the fact that she can “bring her membership in the FFA, along with business experi- An assistant professor of organizational leadership cation system. “Seeing that sparked pick has on players, is still in the whole self to work” each day as an ence and missionary service, sparked his interest in and strategy, Hansen genuinely enjoys teaching in a question,” Howell says. “How do developmental stage. employee of BYU. “At other insti- a business degree. the BYU Marriott Department of Management. He you actually speak up and bring Now an assistant professor tutions, you can’t bring everything Hansen came to BYU and earned a bachelor’s degree still looks back on his decision to study business about change in an effective way?” of organizational behavior and about yourself into the classroom,” in accounting, a MAcc, and an MBA from BYU Marriott and pursue postgraduate degrees as a major turning Howell’s path toward answering human resources at BYU Marriott, she explains. “You can’t talk in 1990. He still credits much of his career to the point in his career. “The BYU Marriott MBA program this question has taken a unique Howell is happy she decided to about what happened in general connections he made, lessons he learned, and experi- created amazing opportunities for me,” Hansen says. route that began as an attorney. come back to BYU. Along with her conference or your experiences as ences he had as a student at BYU. These connections “The courses teach students one of the most valuable After graduating from Washington research interests, Howell loves an auxiliary leader, but I am happy led to multiple job offers, and he ultimately accepted a skills you can develop—a knowledge of how to figure State University in 2000 and then opportunities to teach students and that I can do that here at BYU.” position at Ford Motor Company in Michigan. things out.”

22 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 23 faculty news faculty news

Data-Driven Big Shoes to Fill

Decisions fter four successful years of Snow brings a great depth of our graduates. Our graduates are A being the director of the MBA experience and expertise to the tops of their fields.” and Executive MBA programs at MBA and EMBA programs. Snow Many alumni from BYU Marriott hen Marc Dotson was studying at the London BYU Marriott, Grant McQueen is is a BYU alum himself, earning a may remember Snow by his W School of Economics in 2008, the chair of the passing the torch on to Dan Snow. bachelor’s degree in international Adidas sneaker collection. “I have United States Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, came McQueen became the MBA and relations in 1996 and an MBA in close to a hundred pairs, but I try to campus as a guest speaker. Dotson recalls this EMBA director in July 2016. While finance and operations in 1998. not to count,” he says. “I generally experience—of being in the same room as the man McQueen already considered the After graduation, he worked as teach each day of a semester wear- who oversaw the Federal Reserve’s response to the programs to be outstanding, he a financial analyst at Ford Motor ing a different pair.” recession—as a key moment in his education. oversaw several improvements and Company and then went on As the new director, Snow’s ulti- “Everything he said at that time was national news developments during his tenure, to complete a PhD in business mate goal is to inspire staff, faculty, because the markets swung whenever he spoke,” including reestablishing a strong economics at the University of students, and alumni to continue Dotson recalls. “And there I was, sitting just twenty connection with alumni through California, Berkeley. As an educa- to strengthen the programs. Snow feet away from him.” Remembering the impact of annual reunions and alumni tor, Snow has taught at Harvard says he aims to make the programs Bernanke’s words during the 2008 recession, Dotson magazines and building bridges to Business School, BYU Marriott, as perfect as the latest addition to describes the core of his own work in one word: the local Silicon Slopes companies the University of Pennsylvania’s his Adidas collection: a rare pair of choice. An assistant professor of marketing at BYU through networking opportunities. Wharton School, and Dartmouth’s Adidas Top Ten sneakers. Marriott, Dotson focuses on using data to help people In addition, McQueen expanded Tuck School of Business. As a child, Snow dreamed of make decisions, a topic he has been interested in opportunities available in the For Snow and his family, the owning a pair of these vintage since starting college in 2002. EMBA program through a new move back to BYU was a big deci- shoes, but his dream seemed As an undergraduate at Southern Utah University career-management elective and sion—Snow is leaving a teaching unobtainable. To him, his unique (SUU), Dotson originally considered journalism as a annual placement events, and he position at Saïd Business School at Adidas shoes are a symbol of the career he might want to pursue. “People need good improved experiential-learning the University of Oxford. Express- hard work, diligence, and patience information to be able to make decisions,” Dotson curriculums for both the MBA ing excitement for the transition, found in the BYU Marriott MBA says. “Journalists should be fair, not subjective, and and EMBA programs. However, he says, “The BYU Marriott MBA and EMBA programs. Be on the give people the same information.” McQueen feels the greatest mea- and EMBA programs are world lookout for his colorful footwear The southern Utah native spent time working sure of success is the change pro- class. Our faculty and staff are tops as Snow steps into his new role in for the SUU newspaper but also found a passion for Dotson’s work at the Modellers eventually led him duced in the lives of the students of their fields. Our recruiters love summer 2020. international relations. After graduating from SUU in to a PhD from The Ohio State University, where who graduate from the programs. 2008 with a degree in political science, Dotson headed he graduated in 2016. Dotson then joined Jeff in the “We are number one in things of to England, where he enrolled in a master’s program Department of Marketing and Global Supply Chain eternal importance,” he says. in international political economy at the London at BYU Marriott in fall 2016. In the years since, he has McQueen is returning to teach School of Economics. been especially grateful for the opportunities he has finance and conduct research in After Dotson finished school in London, his brother, to research and to teach the students at BYU Marriott. the department of finance. Jeff, a fellow faculty member at BYU Marriott, recom- As he teaches and works with students at BYU “I’m pleased that Dan will be mended marketing as a way to study what he was most Marriott, Dotson also maintains his own passion for taking the reins of the MBA and interested in. Dotson took a position at the Modellers, learning. Dotson, who describes himself as eclectic in EMBA programs,” McQueen says. a market research firm in Salt Lake City. “That’s his interests, credits his initial interest in journalism “He is an excellent teacher, has an where I figured out what marketing and marketing for the current desire to learn about various topics, outstanding academic pedigree, research was,” Dotson says. “Marketing isn’t just from political science and marketing to astronomy and is deeply committed to the selling people things. We want to be able to see what and cosmology. “The world is a fascinating place,” he programs. Most importantly, he people need, assess demand, and eventually produce says. “With how much there is to learn about the loves the students. The programs products that can help people.” world, we don’t have any reason to ever stop learning.” are in good hands.”

24 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 25 Alumni Updates

Everything students do in the BYU Marriott MBA/EMBA programs is designed to teach and support them as they develop a signa- ture leadership style. Whether in the office, at home, or out in the community, BYU Marriott MBA/EMBA alumni lead the way forward in ways that are insightful, compassionate, and transformative. A 1984 BYU Marriott account- ing grad, Lisa Bateman Quist raised a family and started her own business before return- ing to graduate from the EMBA program. Read about Quist on page 32.

27 alumni updates alumni updates

Alumni Report Finding the Right Fit

Where BYU Marriott MBA alumni reside lose to the equator, employ- Chevron representatives started C ees of Chevron Corporation, the meeting by talking about the 13% 2% one of the largest oil producers importance of safety in the work- Pacific 4% 5% Mid-Atlantic in Nigeria, work in eighty-degree place. “Chevron is a company West Midwest temperatures and twelve hours that handles a lot of dangerous of sunlight yearlong. Behind the products, yet they are so focused scenes of these offshore oil fields, on safety that they even bring BYU Marriott MBA graduate Ethan it up at recruiting events while Lindstrom works with other talking about their culture,” Lind- human resource professionals at strom says. Lindstrom knew that Chevron who are dedicated to Chevron was going to be the right helping employees do their jobs fit for him. He accepted a summer the best they can. internship with the company at a 2% A career in human resources refinery in Richmond, California. Northeast wasn’t even on Lindstrom’s radar After completing the internship ten years ago. He graduated from and graduating from BYU Marriott Utah State University in 2009 in 2015, Lindstrom accepted a with a degree in physics and then full-time job offer with Chevron. started working at Space Dynamics He was hired into Chevron’s plays within a company. “The Laboratory in North Logan, Utah. leadership development program, focus should be to narrow in on “I noticed that I was one of which includes four six-month the things that are actually going the few scientists in the lab who rotations at job sites across the to help people do their jobs bet- 3% 56% thought about how we could globe. Lindstrom’s first three ter,” he says. International Utah improve what we were doing and assignments were in California, Since finishing his final tationro 11% 4% how we were doing it,” Lindstrom but the fourth and final job took in Nigeria, Lindstrom and his fam- Southwest South recalls. Over time, the physics him to Lagos, Nigeria, where ily have settled down in Houston, graduate realized that while he he lived with his wife and three Texas, where he now works as a enjoyed the technical work, he also children in a secured compound. compensation analyst at Chevron. enjoyed thinking about how the Lindstrom found the work in Lindstrom spends a lot of his time BYU Marriott alumni Alumni by program team worked together and about Nigeria to be difficult and different looking at data and thinking about at a glance managing the budget, interviewing, from the way things had been done how he can help other employees. hiring, and training. “I realized that at his other job locations. “Making “I’m constantly trying to think of 5% there are people who do this all the connections was key to getting ways to make life easier for the MOB time, and that’s HR,” he says. work done in Nigeria,” he says. “If people on the other end who are • total alumni (as of January 2019) 10,263 Lindstrom followed his passion you don’t connect with people, out doing the work,” he says. 18% and began classes at BYU Marri- they may not help you. Send some- “I’m grateful for my experiences EMBA • First class graduated in 1963 with 15 ott in fall 2013. As summer 2014 one an email and they might not at Chevron and BYU Marriott that students (seven still living) 77% approached, he compiled a list of do anything, but if you go to their have stretched me and helped MBA five companies he’d like to intern office and talk to them in person, me get out of my comfort zone,” • First EMBA class graduated in 1986 for—none of which were Chevron. they’ll probably act on it.” Lindstrom adds. “I’ve learned the Lindstrom’s introduction to Despite its challenges, Lind- importance of making connections Chevron came at an info session strom’s experience in Nigeria also with people and helping them in •  MBA directors (Grant McQueen is no. 14) 14 hosted by BYU Marriott. The opened his eyes to the role HR ways that are meaningful to them.”

28 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 29 alumni updates alumni updates

Uniting BYU Marriott in Brazil To the Mountains

for a Utah-based tech company Silva has seen consistent growth ost MBA students program for Grand Teton National Park. Looking called Emmersion Learning and in the chapter since becoming M hope to graduate back at his thirty years with the NPS, he is most building a team for network president, and he is excited to see from the program with proud of working to restore the park’s historic marketing company Aloha. He is more Brazilians getting involved. one or two prestigious buildings and properties. “When I first went to work also back in the ward he attended The Campinas chapter is one of internships under their at Grand Teton, I saw people come from around the before moving to Provo and is fourteen chapters in Brazil and belts and then begin their world who had saved money most of their lives to currently serving as a counselor in nearly one hundred chapters careers in the business be able to see the parks,” says O’Brien. “The park is a the bishopric for the fifth time. worldwide that unite BYU alumni field. BYU Marriott MBA part of the living history of the American West.” Silva has also been serving as and businesspeople across commu- alum Thayne O’Brien Throughout his time at Grand Teton, O’Brien had president of the Brazil Campinas nities. “Membership in the society chose a different route. the opportunity to see how the NPS became more Chapter of the BYU Management means that you will always have While an MBA student, inclusive. As the NPS evolved to include more women Society since 2017. As chapter pres- other BYU graduates to connect O’Brien worked in Grand Teton National Park during and minorities, the change was a challenge for many, ident, Silva organizes events for the with as you serve in the commu- the summers. As he neared the end of his MBA but O’Brien saw the bigger picture. “The interest in more than one hundred members nity,” Silva says. program in 1971, he realized the skills he’d learned at inclusivity gave me a greater understanding of the of the chapter. These events are As Silva helps society members BYU Marriott could be used outside of the traditional importance of making sure opportunities are available geared to provide training, net- make connections with other business field. for everybody,” he says. working, and collaboration among Brazilian professionals, the BYU “When I started working at Grand Teton, I walked O’Brien credits his appreciation for the world business professionals in the area. alumnus remembers the connec- backward the whole first day looking at those moun- around him to his time in the MBA program. For example, one of the first tions that helped him along the tains. I was captivated by them,” he recalls. He’d found Growing up in Tetonia, a small farming town in razilian native André Silva events organized by Silva included way to a BYU Marriott MBA. Two a place where he belonged with the National Park Idaho, O’Brien had little exposure to the rest of B traveled more than six thou- students from the Pontifical well-known Brazilian business- Service (NPS). the world. When he joined the MBA program, his sand miles from Campinas, Brazil, Catholic University of Campinas, men—David Neeleman and Carlos The ability to live and work near the mountains exposure grew. “I’m a much more rounded individ- to Provo to earn an MBA from a local university from which Silva Wizard Martins—aided Silva with was definitely a pull for O’Brien when he accepted a ual now. I serve my community, my church, and my BYU Marriott. Seven years later got his BBA degree. The event mentorship and recommendations full-time job at the NPS, but what sealed the deal were own family more than I would have had I not had and back home in Brazil, Silva featured guest speaker Francisco while he applied to the program the values the NPS held. “The idea that land should be my MBA experience,” says O’Brien. says his experiences in the MBA Valim, a successful business exec- and searched for jobs after gradu- preserved for future generations to enjoy was intrigu- After enduring the cold Wyoming winters for more program have opened up profes- utive and former CEO of Nextel. ation. Silva is also grateful for BYU ing to me,” says O’Brien. “Here was an opportunity for than thirty years, O’Brien is now retired in St. George, sional, service, and networking Valim shared his experience with Marriott’s Cardon International me to live in an area compatible with my ideals and in Utah, much to the appreciation of his wife, Corrine. opportunities that he had never the local chapter members and Sponsorship (CIS) program, which a job that would give me some economic stability.” As he reflects on his time with theNPS , O’Brien considered before. students in attendance and taught is a scholarship and loan program After several years of working full-time as a budget prides himself on his ability to get things done. “Roads After graduating from the MBA about principles that helped him for international applicants to the and procurement assistant at Grand Teton National got plowed in the wintertime, roofs got shoveled of program in 2013, Silva had the find success in his career. BYU Marriott MBA, MPA, MAcc, or Park, O’Brien decided to try out the private sector. He snow—we got things done,” he says. “I think I’ll be chance to join an educational tech Silva is happy to be so heav- MISM programs. “I wouldn’t have and his brother-in-law started an auto parts business remembered for being a doer.” startup called Movie Mouth in ily involved with the BYU been able to earn my degree with- in Idaho, but the company struggled due to the nation- South Salt Lake. After working Management Society and to learn out the CIS program,” he observes. wide economic downturn at the time. Following with the company for a year, Silva, from experienced businesspeople Reflecting on his education and the difficult decision to close the business, O’Brien along with his wife and young fam- such as Valim. “Service in the soci- his current professional endeav- worked as a credit manager for a furniture store in ily, returned to Campinas to open ety has been a great experience ors, Silva is grateful for the time Oregon, but he yearned to return to the NPS. When an office for Movie Mouth and so far,” Silva says. “These events he spent at BYU Marriott. “I’ve the phone rang and his old boss at the NPS asked him start company operations in Brazil. have brought us society members learned to apply the experiences I to come back, he responded, “Please hang up so I can But his MBA background has together and helped us learn from had at BYU to be a better entrepre- start getting packed.” created additional opportunities for other successful businessmen and neur, a better leader, and a better Back at the NPS, O’Brien worked as a contracting him: he is working as a consultant businesswomen in Brazil.” person,” he says. officer and was in charge of the total acquisition

30 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 31 alumni updates alumni updates

1974 Courage over Alan L. Wilkins has been devoted to serving BYU since earning his BA and MBA from the university in 1972 and 1974, respectively. After receiving his PhD in philosophy from Stanford University in 1979, Wilkins started working at BYU, where his roles over the years Comfort included professor of organizational behavior, academic vice president, and BYU Faculty Center director. Wilkins served as mission president in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission and is currently president of the Provo City Center Temple. He has also worked hen Lisa Bateman Quist graduated with a as a consultant for Ford Motor Company, General Electric, and Frito-Lay. He wrote the book Developing W bachelor’s degree in accounting from BYU Corporate Character: How to Successfully Change an Organization Without Destroying It. Now retired and living in Marriott in 1984, she was one of only a few women Provo with his wife, Margaret, Wilkins enjoys studying the gospel, gardening, and visiting his eight children in the program. Now, having graduated from BYU and twenty-six grandchildren. Marriott’s Executive MBA program in 2019, Quist wants to teach other women how empowering an education can be. 1978 “I’m a huge proponent of education for women After graduating with his MBA from BYU Marriott in 1978, Homero Amato returned to Brazil because it puts women in a more powerful position to and received a second master’s degree in administration from the Universidade Federal do make choices for themselves rather than have choices Rio de Janeiro. From there he worked in a variety of roles, including executive vice presi- forced upon them,” says Quist. dent of consulting business Grupo Catho, before retiring in 2006. Since joining The Church Education has always been important to Quist. After of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1968, Amato has served four missions; he is currently receiving her undergraduate degree, she wanted to serving as temple president of the Manaus Brazil Temple. Amato’s proudest accomplishments pursue her MAcc, but with two toddlers at home and include his service in the Church and seeing his seven children and fifteen grandchildren succeed. Amato loves twins on the way, she decided to wait and become a spending time with his wife, Sandra, traveling, swimming, and starting companies with family members. stay-at-home mother. a lot of courage for me to walk up to someone and Then their family received troubling news: a doc- strike up a conversation, but I’ve been glad that I did,” tor diagnosed her husband with a medical condition says Quist. “Having the courage to make the plunge 1984 and told him that he most likely wouldn’t live past has provided me multiple opportunities to grow.” Mary Stark Greenwood’s love for her country and her interest in solving problems led her age forty-five. Quist quickly realized she needed to During her time in the EMBA program, Quist to dedicate her career to working in the public sector. As a senior consultant at Guidehouse, be prepared to support her family. Thankfully she and the other women in her cohort created the Greenwood focuses on helping federal agencies build trust in society and shape a new future. had her accounting degree. “Having a degree in such Empowering Women in Business organization, which After receiving a BS in sociology in 1982 and an MBA in 1984 from BYU, Greenwood worked a marketable field was incredibly comforting to me,” focuses on helping women flourish in their personal at a variety of companies, including General Mills and Goldwell Cosmetics, before starting her she says. and professional lives. One piece of advice Quist federal consulting career. Greenwood says that, in addition to her two children, her greatest Advanced medical procedures eventually saved stresses to those she mentors is to apply for jobs even accomplishments are successfully launching projects in both the private and public sectors and knowing that she her husband’s life, but her educational safety net was when they may feel underqualified. “Women often has improved every organization she has worked at. When she’s not volunteering at the local food shelter, she pivotal during the difficult time. With her degree need to be reminded that if they want to grow, they loves home-improvement projects and traveling with her children. and CPA license in hand, Quist started an accounting can’t just apply for jobs they can already do,” she business in which she could work from home. Once says. “They should apply for jobs that are a little bit her children were in school, she transitioned to a of a stretch, because it’s by stretching and trying new 1992 full-time job. things that you learn and grow.” Gary Bowen credits his successful career in finance with his ability to work hard and take As she raised her six children, Quist taught them the Quist wants women to understand that each per- advantage of opportunities—even when he didn’t always know exactly how to do something value of an education. As a result, five of her children son’s career and life path are different and that people yet. That tenacity and willingness to learn were pivotal in helping him earn his bachelors in have received their graduate degrees and the sixth is should find their own balance between pursuing an business management in 1985, followed by an MBA in 1992, both from BYU. Bowen currently currently working on his graduate degree. With her education and raising a family. “What is best for me works as CFO at Cotopaxi, a Utah-based outdoor gear company that focuses on doing good children’s education taken care of, Quist thought to and my career may not be best for the next person,” and that donates 1 percent of net sales toward addressing poverty and supporting community herself, “It’s my turn.” says Quist. “None of us are wrong. We’re just differ- development. He oversees the company’s overall financial strategy while always keeping in mind its overarch- When Quist entered BYU Marriott’s Executive MBA ent. I hope we can all support and applaud each other ing focus on making a difference in the world. Bowen enjoys the outdoors and staying active; he particularly program in 2017, she initially felt inadequate and as we make choices that are best for ourselves, our enjoys cycling, mountain biking, and competing in triathlons. He loves spending time with his five children uncomfortable. “I’m an introvert by nature, so it took families, and our careers.” and five grandchildren.

32 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 33 alumni updates alumni updates

2003 After twenty years of work in the private sector, 2003 MBA graduate Paul Garver returned to Satisfying the Creative Side Utah in 2018 to accept a role as the executive director for the state’s Department of Human Resource Management. Garver’s career in human resources began in 2002 with an internship at Honeywell International, where he worked in various capacities that took him through- marketing positions, momentarily of his former coworkers began out the country. After working in Minnesota, North Carolina, Arizona, Virginia, and New become a TV star, and manage a laying the foundation for a com- Jersey, Garver moved to Maryland and took a VP of human resources position with Smiths YouTube channel with more than pany to market a product they’d Detection. After four years at Smiths Detection, Garver took his current position with the state of Utah in June 2.5 million subscribers. discovered on a trip to China. “We 2018. Garver and his wife, Sheri, are grateful to be living closer to their four grown children and are looking However, that’s not how things found this camera that just blew forward to being grandparents. looked to Crosby back in 2013. “I our minds—it was so well-made kind of felt like an underdog going and inexpensive that we just into the MBA program,” he says. decided to drop everything and 2009 “But for whatever reason, Glenn start a company based around this Dave Sewell came to BYU Marriott to pursue a degree that would help him develop the Christensen [an associate profes- camera,” he says. leadership skills and style he needed in his career as a CEO. Sewell, who initially received sor of marketing] at BYU Marriott The company, Wyze, aims to a master’s degree in computer science from BYU in 1997, founded Sewell Direct, a software really, really believed in me.” make smart-home devices more company that transitioned into a computer hardware company in 2001. Soon after graduating Crosby took full advantage of affordable without having to from BYU Marriott with his MBA in 2009, Sewell became interested in city government and the marketing track and sought reinvent them. “Henry Ford didn’t began serving as neighborhood vice chair. He continued his involvement in the community out courses on topics such as invent the car,” Crosby says. “He political arena and, in 2013, was elected a member of the Provo City Council, in which he has served for more advertising and social media man- made it so inexpensive and opera- than six years. Along with running his own company and serving on the city council, Sewell enjoys “getting agement. His experience helped tional that everyone had access.” the old telescope out” and playing an occasional game of chess. eroic assumptions” isn’t just him land a job with Amazon as After his time on The Voice was “Ha term used in advanced a senior manager over musical over, Crosby immediately began finance classes. From 2014–15, the instruments and then with Autel directing marketing efforts at Wyze, 2014 Heroic Assumptions were also Robotics as a creative manager which has since expanded its offer- The only regret alumnus Samuel Ramsay had after graduating from BYU Marriott’s EMBA BYU Marriott’s most popular—and in 2016. Around the same time, ings to include four types of cam- program in 2014 was that he didn’t do it earlier. Entering the program at fifty-six years old only—MBA student band. On bass a video of Crosby singing with eras, a smart light bulb, and a smart with more than twenty years of experience in the military, Ramsay was busier than he had was Gustavo Murari; on drums, his young daughter, Claire, went plug. Crosby enjoys creating videos ever been in his life, but he didn’t let that stop him from pursuing his goal of earning an MBA. Casey Gleave; on guitar, Robert viral and led him to launch the for both Wyze and his family’s “No matter how busy you are, you can always find time for additional education,” he says. Callan; and on guitar and vocals, YouTube channel The Crosbys. channels, collaborating with social “I kept waiting for the right time to return to school, but I only got busier as time went by. in what was neither his first nor Eventually his work with the media influencers under Wyze, I finally decided I just needed to get it done.” Now an employee of theUS Forest Service in Ogden, Utah, his last musical endeavor, was channel became so demanding and working with other companies Ramsay oversees aviation operations in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming and enjoys spending time with his 2015 MBA alum Dave Crosby. that Crosby left Autel Robotics. as an influencer himself. wife, five children, and ten grandchildren. A musician since childhood, Crosby’s channel was fulfilling Thus far in his career, Crosby Crosby had learned to seize oppor- and successful, but he didn’t want has seen the benefits of adding tunities to use his artistic abilities. what had started as a fun project a business degree to his already 2018 After graduating from BYU to become his family’s sole source diverse skill set. His experience At only thirty years old, Emily Jacobsen Smith has already impacted the booming modest Marriott in accounting in 2011, he of income. It was during this time fulfilled what he expected when clothing field and shows no sign of slowing down her entrepreneurial efforts. Successful recognized that he needed to find that Crosby, whose musical talent he began his MBA: “I’d heard so clothing brands and businesses she has started include Tanlines Swimwear, Mentionables, and a career that would satisfy his cre- had gained increasing visibility many good things about the pro- Modest Goddess, the latter having earned recognition from Vogue Italia and Netflix series ative side. So Crosby returned for on YouTube, was invited to join gram and how it can change you Follow This. After graduating from BYU’s advertising program in 2014, Smith worked in San his MBA and, in addition to play- season thirteen of NBC’s The Voice. not only professionally but also Francisco for a startup-naming firm. Interested in learning more, she came toBYU Marriott to ing with the Heroic Assumptions, When not rehearsing or filming personally,” he says. “You build pursue her MBA in entrepreneurship, graduating in 2018. Smith currently resides in Saratoga Springs, Utah, with found artistic freedom as he for the show, Crosby used his free this incredible network that can her husband, Jordan, and works as director of strategic partnerships at Divvy. She continues to be involved in transitioned into the field of time to plan out his next business serve you with lifelong friend- Utah’s thriving startup industry as a cofounder of the inaugural chapter of Silicon Slopes, a nonprofit focused on marketing. This transition would venture. From his hotel room ships and create opportunities empowering Utah’s entrepreneur community. one day lead him to hold several in California, Crosby and some down the road.”

34 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 35 Program Support

BYU Marriott’s MBA and EMPA programs include life-changing opportunities and experiences, often made possible through donor support, encouragement, and partic- ipation. Among those experiences are the Razor’s Edge courses, designed to teach intentional principles for leading and thriving. During these courses, students go to Moab or St. George, Utah, and participate in Epic Learning Adventures meant to build relation- ships with each other as well as with MBA alumni. Read about Razor’s Edge on page 39.

37 program support program support

Fundraising Report My School Cares for Me

Total Donations to MBA Endowment n May 2019, BYU Marriott professor of experience MBA Program Funds Growth I design and management Mark Widmer was driving to Moab, Utah, with a van of EMBA students when the group Donations to Endowments $10,000,000 discussion he was leading took an unexpected turn. After Spendable Donations Widmer explained the importance of building networks and $600,000 encouraged the students to learn about and find connections with each other, one student related how he’d had a rocky $8,000,000 adolescence before a Latter-day Saint family took him in and $500,000 provided him with the stability to have success in life. Wid- mer was surprised to discover that this student’s angel family included Widmer’s nephew. $6,000,000 $400,000 “There are connections like that all the time that you’re not aware of,” Widmer says. “Why do you reach out to peo- ple to build those connections? Because relationships make $300,000 $4,000,000 your life better.” In fact, relationship-building exercises are some of the $200,000 most valued portions of the two- and three-day trips, also called Epic Learning Adventures (ELAs), taken by both MBA $2,000,000 and EMBA students to Southern Utah. These excursions are $100,000 an element of courses MBA 595 and EMBA 595B, officially called Razor’s Edge: Intentional Principles for Leading and Thriving. ELAs help students apply what they’ve learned and 0 0 studied throughout the course—including the science behind 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 creating an intentional, good life—as they tackle physical and mental challenges. “Our goal in this experience of going to Moab or St. George, MBA Student Endowment Fund Utah, is to create multiple experiences that tie back to the con- tent of the classes,” Widmer says. “Everybody’s excited about The MBA Student Endowment Fund was created in 2016 and going because we go mountain biking and canyoneering and focuses on allowing MBA classes to set goals and donate toward rafting. But I have students who say the best experience is the a common cause. Classes can work with the MBA program to activity we do around relationships.” direct their portion of the fund toward the following: During ELAs, students have the opportunity to build rela- tionships with MBA alumni as well as with each other. Several 1. Student scholarships alums return each year to assist with the challenges and attest 2. Case competitions and other student events to the effectiveness of the principles taught. 3. MBA Association activities and needs “The alumni who help with the ELAs are awesome,” says Widmer. “Team members provide inspiring stories and mean- 4. Other student-related opportunities Percentage of Donations by Class ingful insights about how they have used principles from the If your class would like to participate, as a group you should 1963–2015 2019 Razor’s Edge to thrive. We are extremely grateful for their set a class goal, choose where your donations are directed, service.” 2016 2020 and reach out to MBA alumni manager David Jungheim at Kyle Clark, current EMBA student and vice president of [email protected]. 2017 Other business development at Utah-based, remote-talent company Students and alumni from 29 different classes have donated to this fund. 2018 Total = $27,282.53 CoDev, still remembers what he learned from Doug Tolley,

38 2019–20 ANNUAL REPORT BYU MARRIOTT MBA 39 program support

vice president of business development at healthcare research company KLAS Research and a 2017 MBA alum. Tolley taught about gratitude and awe in the context of everything that God has provided for us. “He talked about how when we escape the pressures of the world and experience these feelings of awe, we recognize MA CH-D forth the magnificent beauties of the world,” Clark says. “The way R he was able to express his thoughts on this topic was truly impactful.” Product director at Visible Equity in Salt Lake City and current EMBA student Brinda Jaikumar also learned valuable entor students or fellow alumni lessons from participating alumni, particularly from 2018 MBA M MBA grad Dan Gregory. “I appreciated Dan’s thoughtfulness as he led us during the canyoneering experience,” she says. “He was such an expert at knowing the terrain and was equally kind ttend a reunion or alumni conference and considerate while people were having cold feet. . . . [I’m] A so grateful that we had him on this adventure.” Gregory, senior manager of talent development at Vista Outdoor in Salt Lake City, notes that ELAs are unique oppor- tunities for alumni to give back to the MBA program. “I chose to participate because of how important and transformative efer a potential student: this experience can be for people,” he says. “Seeing something R that I thought was fairly standard actually made a difference RECEIVE a free MBA hoodie for every referral that com- for someone is a perfect example of the power of Razor’s pletes an application Edge. Guiding people through activities and experiences that are exciting, intense, and sometimes intimidating is an amazing experience. While these experiences may be hard at RECEIVE a free Osprey backpack for every two referrals first, they are fulfilling in the end. Being part of that process accepted into the program for others is rewarding and fulfilling for me, plus I also learn my own lessons along the way.” Email us at [email protected] or use this QR code

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