Category Archives: Alumni

Catching Up With Solu Nwanze, MBA ’12

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Texas MBA Alumna Solu NwanzeSolu Nwanze is a member of the Texas MBA Full-Time class of 2012.

What have you been up to since you graduated from McCombs?
I have since moved to the Bay Area where I have been taking advantage of the activities the Bay has to offer. Oh, I did go back to Austin twice already! It is really difficult staying away.

Why did you want to get an MBA?
I wanted to educate myself on the broader business sphere which I felt would be a great asset for my forward looking career goals.

With all of the other options out there, why did you choose the Texas MBA?
I selected the Texas MBA program for three reasons: 1) I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to McCombs during the Diversity Forum weekend 2) The technology leadership program, offered through the Information Management Department, is a highly regarded one among its peers 3) I got tired of snow shoveling in the Northeast!

How did our program impact your career and personal life?
The Texas MBA has made a great impact in my life. I am now a polyglot with regards to business domains. I have also expanded my global circle of close friends.

Can you name a favorite moment you had on the Forty Acres?
Haha, which one do I pick. I’d go with graduation day, when Fernando G., our very own recorder of great MBA moments, took an active snapshot of the entire MBA 2012 class on his way down from the graduation stage after he had just completed his walk. That action took us by surprise, and the entire class leaped and screamed in excitement. That is the level of selflessness and camaraderie that exists on the Forty Acres!

What have you been doing with your “extra” time now that you aren’t having to spend it studying and in class?
Outside of work, I am engaged in volunteer groups and the Lean/Agile community. On the weekends, you may find me playing tennis, dancing salsa, or completing handicraft projects. I leave some room for generating and testing ideas!

 

Catching Up With Reid Bond, MBA ‘12

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Texas MBA Student Reid Bond

Reid with son William and daughter Charlie during his first semester in the program.

Reid Bond is a member of the Texas MBA at Houston class of 2012.

What have you been up to since you graduated?
Since the program wrapped up, I’ve relocated to North Carolina within my same company. I took a role as an Automotive Sales Territory Manager. The new job is in a part of our organization that is heavily marketing focused, which is what I wanted to become more involved in after my MBA. While the job is still evolving, the move has been great for me and my family.

That’s great to hear. What was your previous role?
I was formerly an Account Manager with Exxon’s Chemicals business.

Why did you decide to return to school and get an MBA?
When I decided to get an MBA I ran through all the payback scenarios, i.e. time and expense vs. future employment opportunities. What it came down to in the end was a personal decision to better myself with the hope of seeing a financial payback in the end.

How did this program impact your life and career?
The biggest impact has been in the way that I think. I think like an investor and a manager. I understand the big picture and how different pieces fit together.

In addition to that, the friendships that I formed will last me a lifetime. The people in our program impacted my life greatly. I think the caliber of students is one of the best things that the program has to offer. It’s one thing to learn from professors, but it’s another to see and hear the experiences of those in the class and form lasting friendships with them.

What have you been doing with your “extra” time now that you aren’t having to spend it studying and in class?
Most of my extra time over the past few months has been spent moving and getting my new house in order. I’m able to spend more time with my family which has been phenomenal. We had our third kid my last semester, so there’s no lack of need for my time. I think when you really look at it, it’s not overly difficult to find the time to dedicate to the program. And when it’s all done, there’s no problem filling the new time with new activities.

Anything else you’d like to share?
People often commented to me that they didn’t see how I did full-time work, full-time student, and full-time father. There were many parents in the program and obviously all were employed. In the end, it was an investment for myself and for my family. We will all benefit from the time dedicated to the Texas MBA program. Despite the energy required to do everything, I don’t regret my decision one bit. I actually miss my time in school as a chance to continue to learn and sit at the feet of great people – students and teachers alike.

Longhorn Love Stories

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It doesn’t get any better than a Longhorn Love Story! All week, McCombs Today has been featuring Q&As with couples who met and found love at McCombs, and we figured these stories were worth a share. Enjoy.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Stefanie Gudis, MBA ‘11, and Pete Conrad, MBA ‘11

Says Stefanie: “Pete and I met during our first year of our MBA program at McCombs. Neither of us can remember the exact moment when we met for the first time (apparently it wasn’t that memorable!), but we know it was soon after we arrived in Austin and were going through MBA orientation activities. We were both new to Austin (I moved from Los Angeles and Pete from Chicago) and neither of us knew anyone, so we were both focused on meeting our new classmates and getting to know the city. Little did we know we would also be meeting the person who would become our future spouse!”

Stefanie and Pete are set to get married on March 23. Congratulations! Read full story.

Michelle Musil, MPA ‘03, and Sean Musil, MBA ‘04

Says Sean: “We met in Professor Rao’s finance class. I saw two really pretty girls that I didn’t recognize from the MBA program. In the second class it became clear that they were joining our class from the MPA program. I’m still not a great accountant, so when we organized into teams I REALLY wanted to make sure that we had them on the team. I checked with the rest of my team who signed off on their joining us – and that’s how we met”

Michelle and Sean live in Austin and have been married since 2011. Read full story.

Catching Up With Scott Anderson, MBA ’10

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Texas MBA AlumnScott Anderson is a member of the Texas MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth class of 2010.

What have you have been up to since you finished our program?
Prior to graduation, I transitioned into a Product Management position inside of a large networking company. Shortly after graduation, I was promoted as a leader on a Product Management team that is responsible for over $1B of revenue per annum. As a PM, I have had the opportunity to: renegotiate royalty structure and rate (increasing product flexibility while reducing COGS), develop and execute a product lifecycle plan (delivering more subscription value while reducing sustaining cost AND improving customer satisfaction), and drive multiple strategic product initiatives.

What made you want to get an MBA?
As a software architect, I was empowered to solve a given set of problems. I wanted to broaden the scope of my impact on product direction and asset utilization. I also wanted to improve my career opportunities and position myself for short and long-term growth.

Why did you choose the Texas MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth?
As I examined my top criteria, the Texas MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth was the obvious choice for my MBA.

MBA brand: If I was going to invest the requisite resources into an MBA, I didn’t want to ever regret the brand that is on my diploma. The Texas MBA is an elite brand that is globally valued. Don’t get too caught up into whether this degree costs a bit more than that one. You are only going to do this once.

Flexibility: I needed to be able to continue to work as I am the sole provider for my family.

Networking/Alumni: Dallas/Fort Worth program has a rich mix of amazing talent to share the MBA experience with. Also, having the access to the alumni database can be a great advantage when applying for a job. (Story: I recently got a call from a graduating Evening MBA student who was interviewing at my company for a product management job. I spent some time giving him background, roles, and responsibilities for product managers at my company. He can now prepare how to articulate his knowledge, skills, and experience as it relates to my company’s needs.)

Defined Term: Trying to schedule a part-time MBA around work would be horribly difficult. It would take multiple years to complete. I wanted a program that I knew I could complete in two years. Be aware of opportunity costs! Time is money!

How did your experience in this program impact your life and career?
I was truly amazed at the breadth of impact my MBA has had on my life. Attaining a Texas MBA was a critical, foundational component of my career transition plan. It has also changed the way I view so many things! I tell prospective students to try to be open to the experience. It’s best not to go into the program rigidly trying only to extract X, Y, and Z. It is better to be open, learn, and be changed from the experience.

What have you been doing with your “extra” time now that you aren’t having to spend it studying and in class?
Work and family life has filled in most of the gaps. My girls are into gymnastics and equestrian. I am also noodling on a startup idea…

Anything else you’d like to share?
For prospective students: You know if it is time… do it! You will be stretched (I promise). But it is very doable.

For current students: If you are going to transition jobs, create a solid plan to do so. Some things are out of your control. Do whatever you need to to make it happen! Take on a MBA+ project (or two). Dig deep and come up with a little extra (it can make all the difference!).

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My-Take Co-Founder Speaks With Texas MBA Marketing Students

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My-Take co-founder Rich Armstrong, MBA ’92, recently stopped by McCombs to touch base with a few former professors and to speak to a class of current Texas MBA marketing students about his experiences. My-Take caught up with Rich for a brief Q&A following the session, in which he offered the “very energetic, inquisitive” McCombs students a few bits of advice:

MY-TAKE: Having worked at Fortune 500 companies, and now leading your own business, how did you advise students in terms of choosing between a corporate career versus entrepreneurial endeavors?
ARMSTRONG: Do what makes you happy. It’s not bad to have experience, but there are upfront challenges to both. From the corporate end – there are a lot of things that can be learned. We never could have started this business without our corporate experience and a lot of My-Take’s success came from the people Todd (Todd Hoskins, My-Take’s co-founder) and I know. Plus you could have the best idea in the world, but there’s a whole process of selling it and the skills you need to be versed in to make the business happen. With an entrepreneurial path – I control my own destiny. It really comes down to what you want out of life.

MY-TAKE: What is the one thing that you wanted to make sure you impressed upon the Texas MBAs?
ARMSTRONG: Stay positive in whatever you’re doing. Rarely is there a straight line that gets you there, but stay focused on your end goal.

MY-TAKE: How can students best prepare themselves to succeed in the current environment?
ARMSTRONG: Get some experience on the job, whether you do an internship or work full-time first. Network and don’t let opportunities pass you by. Be proactive with folks.

Visit the My-Take website to read the entire Q&A with Texas MBA alum Rich Armstrong.

Recent Alumnus Among Military’s Top 40 Under 40

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Carlos Dinkins, a member of the Texas MBA Full-Time class of 2012, was recently named one of CivilianJobs.com’s Top 40 Under 40 Military, which recognizes the top service members who are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces. I was recently able to catch up with Carlos, now a Category Manager for PepsiCo, to ask about the award and his experiences in the U.S. Army and at McCombs.

Texas MBA Alumnus Carlos DinkinsCarlos, congratulations on being recognized, I know it is well-deserved. Can you tell us what it means to you to be named one of the military’s “Top 40 under 40″?
Thank you! I greatly appreciate all the love and support coming from McCombs. The greatest honor of my life has been leading soldiers in combat and to be selected into this prestigious group of similar candidates is absolutely breathtaking.

Please tell us a little bit about your time in the military. What were some of your responsibilities?
I commissioned in the army in 2005 after graduating from Florida State University. After five months of initial training, I was stationed in Hawaii – within a year of graduating from FSU, I was in Iraq. I had the privilege to work at almost every level of the military as a junior officer, from the lowest tactical level as a platoon leader to one of the highest strategic levels as an Intelligence Aide to the Deputy Commanding General. The greatest responsibility however would definitely be as a platoon leader.UAV PLATOON 1

As previously mentioned, the greatest time I had in the military was the 13 months I spent as a leader of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platoon both in Hawaii and in Iraq. I was responsible for the health and welfare of 34 soldiers and the maintenance, inspection, and operations of four UAVs valued at over $16 million. UAVs, or “Drones” as they are known in popular culture, are increasingly becoming the most important asset to the ground warfighter, and I was fortunate to be blessed with 34 hard-charging, technically, and tactically proficient soldiers. Over the course of our deployment to Iraq in 2008-2009, we provided the absolute best, incident-free coverage, to the 4,000+ infantry brigade combat team, and were directly responsible for constructing and operating state of the art UAV antennae systems in some of the most volatile locations in Iraq. I still to this day get the largest smile on my face when I think about my platoon.

How did your military experience prepare you for a business career? What was the transition from the military to the corporate world like?
My father, a decorated Vietnam Veteran, always has a way of using acronyms to teach a lesson. I’m positive he learned that in the military because I do the same today. He always told me that “As a leader you have to be ‘F.A.I.R.’ at all times.” Flexible, Accountable, Inspirable, and Respectable. If there’s anything my father and the military taught me, it is how to be flexible with uncertainty, accountable for your actions, inspiring to those around you, and respected by your superiors, subordinates, and peers. My transition from the military to corporate was rather simple because I’ve never lost sight of that. It also didn’t hurt that I had the opportunity to spend two years learning at one of the greatest institutions in one of the greatest cities in this nation!

Would you encourage other service men and women to get their MBAs? If so, why?
Of course! Whenever a Veteran approached me while I was on the McCombs Admissions Committee, I told them the story of my best friends from FSU ROTC or Hawaii, and I framed the details around the phrase “100%.” 100% of my best friends, combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan that have earned their MBA are extremely successful in their business career. Whether it was former Captain Daniel Avenick at Chicago, Captain Alexi Holmberg at MIT, Captain Nicholas Padlo at Stanford (2010 Top 40 Under 40), Captain Alex Grace at Notre Dame, Captain Dustin Healey at Northwestern, Captain Frank Aburto at Cornell, or one of many others, they are all excelling at the best firms in the world – McKinsey, Bain, P&G, Bank of America, CSP Associates, and PepsiCo. 100% of us have honorably left the service and have successfully carried the core values of the military with us into the business sector.