Alumni Recognized at “Bootcamp”

Originally published in the November 2008 edition of eTorch

The UTK Office of Alumni Affairs co-sponsored the first ever “CPG Bootcamp” weekend with the MBA program Oct. 3-4.

CPG (consumer package goods) Bootcamp allowed MBA students to meet and learn from MBA alumni who are executives in the consumer package goods industry.

The weekend included a reception on Friday evening at the East Tennessee Historical Society in downtown Knoxville. During the reception, two of the alumni were recognized as part of the Accomplished Alumni program. Al Williams, chief financial officer for Bush Brothers and Company, and Dave Freeman, vice president of sales for Activision Blizzard, were honored for their achievements in business and recognized for sharing their time and talent with the MBA students. Williams and Freeman served as the keynote speakers for the weekend.

Alumni executives offered educational sessions Saturday on the campus of Bush Brothers and Company in Knoxville. In addition to Williams and Freeman, students had the benefit of learning from other outstanding alumni: Heather Collins (Sara Lee), Michael Musso (ChildCare Education Institute), Peter Fox (Unilever), Ali Safavi (The Walt Disney Company), Lex Shankle (Dentek), Jennifer Ellis (Procter and Gamble), Andrea Harper (Procter and Gamble), and Natalya Seals (Procter and Gamble). Students and alumni also attended the UT-Northern Illinois football game.

The weekend was coordinated by Molly Justice, director of career services for the MBA program; Patrick Wade, UTK alumni program director; and Scott Daniel, an alumnus of the JD/MBA program and brand manager for Bush Brothers and Company. Daniel, who initiated the idea for CPG Bootcamp, stressed the importance of alumni mentors.

“Having a network of mentors is one of the most important tools in the businessperson’s toolbelt. We’re hoping that CPG Bootcamp enabled students to learn from alumni and begin mentorship relationships.”

You may also like