Annual Economic Breakfast
The power of the Richmond MBA’s network comes from not only its students and alumni, but the relationship it helps to sustain with the local business community. Among the many University and Alumni sponsored events that occur throughout the year, the MBA Alumni Society’s Annual Economic Breakfast is typically the first of the calendar year that is heavily attended.
This year’s speaker is no exception to the standards that have been set by past breakfasts. Raymond Owens III, Research Advisor and Senior Economist for the Fed, will be featured as the key-note speaker. He brings with him 30 years of experience as an economist for the Fed and is well published in academic journals. Both new and returning guests should find this year to be another interesting and informative talk. Doors to the Jepson Alumni Center open at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, January 22, 2013.
Click here to register for the Economic Breakfast!
The event has continued to grow in popularity throughout its four years in existence. While it is primarily organized by the MBA Alumni Society’s Professional Development Committee, several other members of the University community play a part in making each year successful – from finding an accomplished speaker to marketing the event.
“We work with the University to reach a variety of demographics that may want to attend” says Tony Fox, Professional Development Committee chair. “We have found that undergrad and graduate business students, alumni, as well as various other professionals in the Richmond community participate annually. It is a diverse and loyal audience.”
Representatives from over 50 different companies and a variety of industries including finance, manufacturing, and consulting have the opportunity to network before and after the breakfast. Educators from the UR community will make up a portion of the audience as well.
While the chance to network provides a draw to the breakfast, the opportunity to hear the year’s economic forecast from a seasoned expert is perhaps the main reason for the event’s high rates of attendance. An ongoing relationship with The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (Fed) has aided the planning committee in finding seasoned economists with impressive credentials to come and speak for the breakfast. Patricia Wescott, an MBA Alumnus who currently works for the Fed, reflected on the people there and the relationship with the University: “The folks here are truly experts in their fields. Our economists enjoy the opportunity to speak at this event, and we appreciate the ongoing partnership between us and the University.”
Mike Grappone, President of the MBA Alumni Society, reflected on the impact of the Economic Breakfast. “It’s become a core event for us. We’ve been working hard to provide consistent, highly attended opportunities for the Alumni to stay connected. It’s now just one of several events that we intend to continue supporting for years to come.”
Click here to register for the Economic Breakfast!
Click here for a bio on Raymond Owens III