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Haworth College of Business
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5457 USA
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Michigan top executives to speak on campus

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Eight top executives from Michigan companies will be on campus Tuesday, Nov. 10, to speak to and work with students.

Known as the WMU Bronco CEO Forum, the group unites WMU alumni who are the top executives for leading companies with sales exceeding $10 million. During their visit, the group will meet with students, visit classes and conclude with a panel discussion. The panel discussion, where the group will take questions from the audience, is open to the public and will take place at 12:30 p.m. in 2000 Schneider Hall.

During private meetings, the forum discusses confidential matters in regard to general business topics such as mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, business plans and compliance, as well as personal topics such as work-life balance and family values.

The executives

  • Bud Brian, ’66, is the CEO of Budco Financial, a company that helps corporations and healthcare providers create consistent revenue streams by delivering no-interest or low-interest payment plan solutions. Brian is the former founder of Budco, a marketing services company in Detroit, which he grew into a $100 million company with nearly 1,000 employees serving globally recognized brands.
  • Robert Sauer, ’81, is the CEO of Woodland Paper Inc, a company specializing in the distribution of fine printing and publishing papers as well as facility supplies. Located In Wixom, the company was started by Sauer in 1995.
  • Dan Iott, ’77, is the CEO of Kemner-Iott Agency Group, a group of independent insurance agencies. Iott founded the group in 1981, merging his independent agency with Kemner Insurance. The company began acquiring and merging with other agencies in 1997 and presently has offices in Lenawee, Washtenaw and Cass counties.
  • Randy Wright, ’68, is the president of Berry Moorman P.C.  Wright’s current practice emphasis is in U.S. and international business law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate law and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
  • Frank Rewold, ’80, is the CEO of Frank Rewold and Son Inc. The company is a fourth-generation construction management corporation established in 1918. The company specializes in new commercial construction and restoration of historical buildings.
  • Bruce Larson, ’71, is the president of Oscar W. Larson Co., a full-service petroleum and fluid-handling equipment contractor. Since 1946, the company has expanded to the automotive, airline, marine, restaurant, convenience store and service industries. Larson was general manager of the company until 1984, when he bought the company and became president.
  • Gordie Kosch, ’80, has been the CEO and president of Kosch Hospitality since 1981. Kosch Hospitality includes Kosch Restaurant Ventures and Kosch Catering.
  • Joseph Fleck, ’75, '76, is the director and former CEO of Empower Energies, a developer of commercial-scale solar and renewable energy products. Fleck’s previous senior administrative positions include vice president and CFO of General Motors Corp. and CFO of GM Powertrain.

For more information, contact Cyntia Dawson at (269) 387-5069.

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