Alumnus leads Indiana business development
March 13, 2002
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Remound W. Wright, a graduate of the WMU Haworth College of Business, has been named director of the new Northeast Indiana Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, a program focus of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center dealing with emerging business issues.
The CEE will serve as a resource portal for area entrepreneurs, providing not only a base degree of venture evaluation and research, but the CEE will also refer and coordinate the resources that can provide entrepreneurs with the more in-depth services required for a successful venture. Additionally, the CEE with its educational partnerships will create more opportunities for real-world hands-on entrepreneurial experience. The CEE is a collaboration between Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne (IPFW) School of Business and Management Science; the Cole Foundation; and the City of Fort Wayne in conjunction with the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center.
"The Cole Foundation is pleased to join with the IPFW School of Business and Management Sciences and the City of Fort Wayne in fostering the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence," says Mac Parker, president of the Cole Foundation. "We believe that the CEE with Remound Wright as director will be an excellent resource for persons interested in starting or growing businesses in northeast Indiana."
Wright comes to the new position with extensive corporate and business development experience within global organizations such as Fort Wayne-based North American Van Lines and Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire Company, as well as with expertise in financial management and strategic planning gained from positions with Pittsburgh-based Deloitte & Touche, LLP and Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Having led a major not-for-profit financial organization in social service program development, implementation and evaluation, Wright also has experience in fiscal management, and resource development, as well as board and volunteer relations. Wright's educational experience includes an M.B.A., in international business and finance from Duquesne University's A. J. Polumbo Graduate School of Business and a B.B.A. in accounting from Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business.
"The new entrepreneurial program will develop curriculum and educational programs, provide links to relevant resources including federal, state, local and educational databases, develop a qualified referral network of business experts for mentoring and provide advice and assistance in the business and marketing aspects of idea launches," says Karl LaPan, president and CEO of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center.
"The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence is sharply focused on meeting the more sophisticated entrepreneurial needs of Northeast Indiana identified in a recent evaluation," says LaPan.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thomas.myers@wmich.edu