Top Michigan executives to speak at business college forum
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. The group will meet with students, visit classes and participate in two panel discussions. The panel discussions, where the group will take questions from the audience, are open to the public and will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in 2000 Schneider Hall.
During its private meetings, the forum members discuss 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
- Robert Sauer, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1981, 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, Bachelor of Science, 1977, is the CEO of Kemner Iott Benz, 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 now has offices in Lenawee, Washtenaw and Cass counties.
- Randy Wright, Bachelor of Science, 1968, 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, Bachelor of Science, 1980, is the president and 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, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1971, 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, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1980, has been the CEO and president of Kosch Hospitality since 1981. Kosch Hospitality includes Kosch Restaurant Ventures and Kosch Catering.
- Joe Fleck, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1975, and Master of Business Administration, 1976, is the director and former CFO 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.
- Carrie Jones-Barber, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1982, is the CEO of Dawn Food Products. Joining the company in 1985, she is the third generation of the Jones family to lead Dawn.
- Charley McQueen, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1993, is the president of McQueen Financial Advisors Inc. He founded the company in 1999 to provide specialized investment and consulting services to financial institutions.
- John Bourbeau, Bachelor of Arts, 2002, is the executive vice president of Right Management, a company that provides strategic workforce consulting services.
For more information about the forum, contact Cyntia Dawson at (269) 387-5069.
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