SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY AUTUMN 2017 Sky high MBA boosts engineer’s career in space Next for NASA Lessons learned on Earth are going intergalactic Alums’ companies plan for Digital days an interstellar future Make the most of devices in business without powering down relationships The final frontier FALCONER SAM “To infinity and beyond.” — Buzz Lightyear DEAN’S LETTER WPC Dear W. P. Carey family and friends, Space and business school? opportunities for space tourism, the work on teams in space in this Really? I bet you never would or benefit from new mineral issue. What strikes me is that the have guessed how much research mining on asteroids such as space context provides even more and work relevant to space with Psyche, a NASA mission significance to the application occurs outside the labs of rocket in which ASU was awarded the of what we research, teach, and scientists. I’m extraordinarily lead role. Our first commanding learn in business schools. proud of the efforts our faculty mission, Lucy, is already sending ASU and the W. P. Carey and alumni are doing in this area. technology School of It truly reflects our belief that ASU built on “Crazy” ideas Business is the has no borders. While we are a campus into place to explore state university within a state of deep space. are only crazy these issues. the U.S., we operate in a global This takes until they work. ASU has been market for higher education, and us to a host recognized as the space — to borrow a phrase — of questions. Who will determine No. 1 most innovative university may be “the final frontier.” property rights in space? How the past two years by other ASU has a number of initiatives will resources be monetized, and university presidents, ahead related to space. If you aren’t what current business models of MIT and Stanford. That’s a getting the daily ASU Now will be disrupted by advances recognition I believe we truly email, I encourage you to check related to space? How can deserve, but it also obligates us it out to learn about innovations what we know about managing to start asking questions earlier happening around campus. organizations, constructing supply than most. “Crazy” ideas are only ASU’s NewSpace Initiative, for chains, financing new startups, crazy until they work. Then, they example, is particularly interesting using big data, and marketing become innovative. because it’s meant to bridge to consumers change if they are I hope this issue gives you academia, government, the no longer contained by Earth’s some crazy ideas. Go turn them public, and commerce. gravity? into innovations. While it may seem far When dealing with high-risk removed to some, technology environments — space, war, advancements may soon make cleanroom technology, etc. it possible to create business — we can apply a number of models for intergalactic existing answers to help improve [email protected] commerce. We may have performance. You’ll read about @WPCdean WPCAREY.ASU.EDU / AUTUMN 2017 1 WPC VOICES W. P. CAREY MAGAZINE Volume 5, Issue 1, Autumn 2017 Dean To the editor, Your two cents matters. And we love to Amy Hillman get your questions. We’re here and we’re Chief External Relations Officer In the recent issue of W. P. Carey listening, so drop us a note anytime: Kim Steinmetz magazine (Volume 4, Issue 2, Spring [email protected] 2017) on page 38 under the section, Manager of Alumni Relations Theresa Shaw “In Memoriam,” I noticed the passing of Dr. Philip Stiles. I have written, “In W. P. Carey Alumni Memory of Dr. Philip Stiles.” I would like alumni.wpcarey.asu.edu to express my appreciation to the W. P. Carey magazine extension agent. During our training in Sahneh, Iran, Dr. Facebook for keeping alumni informed of recent happenings at the Stiles paid us a visit. Before my departure, Dr. Stiles stated facebook.com/wpcareyschool W. P. Carey School of Business, as well as other critical to me that now is the time to go to Iran because he felt LinkedIn events such as the passing of key faculty and other there would be a time when Americans would not be able wpcarey.asu.edu/linkedin alumni at ASU. to travel there freely. This statement came true with the departure of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as a result Twitter In Memory of Dr. Philip Stiles of the Iranian Revolution in 1979. @wpcareyschool As we travel through life, some important individuals I gained the desire to go overseas and do development contribute to the shaping of our lives regarding work as a result of the following two courses conducted character and professional development. One of these by Dr. Stiles: Managing Editor Shay Moser people that set me on my career path in international development work was Dr. Stiles. His impact took • Conference and Workshop: International Agriculture Creative Director place when I was at Arizona State University from • World Food Biodynamics Paula Murray August 1972 to June 1974, pursuing my master’s. Dr. Art Director Stiles was one of my professors whose courses and I owe great gratitude to Dr. Stiles as a mentor and hope David Imes personal guidance prepared me for my first international that I can return equal mentorship to aspiring students Staff Contributors assignment as a Peace Corps volunteer. Dr. Stiles was interested in international development. Colin Boyd, Hannah O’Regan working with Peace Corps Iran and recruited my wife (Glenna) and me as volunteers. My wife served as a Steven P. Kovach, PhD Editorial Assistant Connor Lovejoy kindergarten teacher and I volunteered as an agricultural (MS Agriculture ’74) Proofreader Cara LaBrie Overheard on social media Contributors Perri Collins, Claire Curry, Chris Carlson (BS Business Administration ’20) PepsiCo! Kudos to the amazing professors who bring Teresa Esquivel, Melissa Crytzer As my freshman year of college comes to a close, business ideas and strategies to life in the classroom to Fry, Jane Larson, Betsy Loeff, Susie Steckner I am so glad I made the choice to go to ASU. Even shape these talented and motivated students! though not everything went as planned, it has been a Photographers fantastic year. I’m thankful for the warm weather and Saagar Anand (MBA, MSBA ’18) Stephen Cardone/FTSET, W. Scott Mitchell, all of the great people I’ve met throughout this year. This — full-time MBA program ranked 25th in the Mark Peterman, Douglas Powell, I’m still not over how I can bike to work every day U.S. News & World Report 2017 ranking, moving up Shelley Marie Valdez and that I’m still constantly overdressing for the heat. 10 spots — is the beginning of something big for I can’t picture myself going to any other school, and @WPCareySchool, and we’re only looking to go up that’s a good thing because it means I made the north from here! #iamwpcarey #wpclove Editorial, sales, and production right choice. correspondence should be addressed to: W. P. Carey School of Business Ann Urich (BS Computer Information Systems ’83) Arizona State University Megan Cozzalio (BS Business Law ’17) When I graduated from college, my family could not PO Box 873506, Tempe, AZ It still hasn’t hit me that my four-year vacation is over. be there because my brother Vern was in a bad car 85287-3506 Thanks ASU for giving me everything I wanted in my accident. Since my family wasn’t there to celebrate my Changes of address and other college experience. day, I decided not to walk in the graduation ceremony. subscription inquiries can be emailed My mom still regrets it. I asked ASU if I could walk to [email protected] Samantha Mahon (BA Business in the spring 2017 convocation, so my 83-year-old W. P. Carey magazine is a publication Communications ’16) mother could see me graduate. They said, “Yes!” My of W. P. Carey School of Business at What a great time at the Arizona State University – mom was there with tears of joy. Vern was there taking Arizona State University © 2017 W. P. Carey School of business career fair today! pictures. My daughter was there to cheer me on — Send editorial submissions and letters So proud of the school I come from and to represent louder than anyone attending. to [email protected] 2 WPCAREY.ASU.EDU / AUTUMN 2017 INSIDE WPC Class Notes See the story, page 30 Features 8 Digital days Making the most of devices and apps in business without powering down relationships 12 The final frontier The business of space: Alums’ companies plan for an interstellar future 28 Solid foundation Alum’s path to successful career began with lessons at ASU 29 Sky high MBA boosts engineer’s career in space Upfront 1 From the dean 2 Voices 4 All things WPC News about your school community Departments 20 Crunching the numbers 100,000+ W. P. Carey alumni worldwide 22 Research Lessons learned on Earth are going intergalactic; service robots might positively influence customers’ frontline experiences in the future; why user-generated online content is invaluable 30 Class notes The secret gig startup that’s backed by Richard Branson; alums serving in the Peace Corps ON THE COVER: Missile launched into the morning sky. (Photo: shutterjack/Getty Images). See page 12 PHOTO BY RICH PILLING BOOKSHELF W. P. CAREY BOOK CLUB Get educated on Connect with alumni around the world artificial intelligence. and sharpen your business skills. See page 37 See inside back cover WPCAREY.ASU.EDU / AUTUMN 2017 3 WPC ALL THINGS etting from here to there could get a lot quicker (and soon), thanks to the efforts of the students behind AZLoop, Arizona’s SpaceX Hyperloop The future of competition team.