Four alumni served as guest lecturers for Executives in Residence, a three-credit course for graduate students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program at Saint Peter’s University.
EiR began with orientation for the course on September 24. Then from September 25 to September 28, students heard from top senior executives and professionals in areas such as media relations, advertising and nonprofits. This program – held annually – enabled students and executives to network and share ideas about business-related topics.
“I think that this program is very essential for everyone who is in the master’s program,” said Diana Aviles ’13, who is pursing her M.B.A. in international business and healthcare administration. "It has helped us to become familiar with the various aspects of working at an executive level, and it has shown us different ways of networking more efficiently. It has also been a great asset for us because we are able to see that they started from the bottom level. They are proof that even though you start from the bottom level, you can reach the top.”
Students gathered at the headquarters of Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J., for the September 25 offsite session featuring William T. Price III ’91, vice president of media relations for J&J. Price is a company spokesman who deals with leading global business media on various corporate issues, including crisis communications, litigation, financial announcements and business development activities. He advises senior leaders in the company and communication colleagues across its franchises about media strategy and practices, particularly as they relate to the corporate reputation of Johnson & Johnson. He remains an active alumnus of Saint Peter’s, serving on the Board of Regents.
Students were given a tour of the Robert Woods Johnson Museum at Johnson & Johnson, where they learned of the history of the many groundbreaking products that have helped shape J&J into a leader of healthcare items.
After the tour, Price spoke to the class about his more than 20 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies, such as AT&T, Lucent, Pfizer and his current role at J&J, where he is charged with promoting the sound reputation of the company. Topics of his discussion ranged from finding outcome measures that matter to leadership, to staying true to one’s credo.
On September 26, Marilyn Trapani ’82, came to campus and discussed her role as president and CEO of Silent Type Inc., a leading provider of customizable documentation management solutions for healthcare. She is a published author, RN and pediatric nurse practitioner who holds a bachelor of science in hospital management from Saint Peter’s University. Prior to 1982, when she combined her medical expertise and business acumen to start Silent Type Inc., she worked at several of the largest medical centers in the tri-state area.
President and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey Thomas P. Weatherall ’91 was the speaker on September 27. He arrived at Make-A-Wish in 2002 with a diverse development and non-profit management background, which includes serving as senior manager at Graham-Pelton Consulting Inc., a fundraising and non-profit management firm located in Summit, N.J. Prior to this, Weatherall served as the director of leadership gifts at Seton Hall University and as director of alumni and parent relations at Loyola University New Orleans. He was also the director of alumni relations at Saint Peter’s for six years.
With such a diverse background, students were compelled to ask Weatherall a multitude of questions about his professional experience before he could even start his lecture. He offered them sage words of advice: “You know what inspires? Excellence inspires! Strive for excellence, meet excellence and watch how many people come along. That’s the culture that will attract every group you meet.”
On September 28, students welcomed and listened intently to James P. McAndrew ’70. He has 35 years of experience as a successful executive in such agencies as O’Mealia Outdoor Advertising, 3M National Advertising, Patrick Outdoor Advertising, The Institute of Outdoor Advertising, Criterion Outdoor Advertising and Rollins Outdoor Advertising. Currently, he is a stakeholder in and director of AdVision. In 2004, McAndrew and his partners purchased TriState Media Group, changed its name to Magic Media, Inc. and merged it with Fairway Outdoor Advertising. He is also a non-executive director of Continental Outdoor Media.
After graduating from Saint Peter’s in 1970, McAndrew obtained a position with General Motors. However, he left this position in order to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur.
“Not everybody is cut out to be an entrepreneur,” McAndrew said, “but at least you should be able to make that decision. You don’t want to be trapped in that little box.”
McAndrew gave the class tips on how to find success in owning a business. One student called his discussion “profound.”
EiR is an essential component to the mission of the Master of Business Administration program, which is designed to prepare graduates to manage people, assets, ideas and technology in a rapidly-changing global environment; to equip graduates with critical thinking and problem-solving skills with a particular focus on operational, strategic and financial risk; and to develop ethical leaders with a breadth and depth of knowledge who will advance the standards and procedures in the field of business administration.
Graduate students gathered at the headquarters of Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J., where they heard from William T. PrIce III ’91 as part of the EiR program.
Thomas P. Weatherall ’91 served as a guest lecturer for the EiR program. Pictured: Weatherall (seated) with the graduate students.