Peter V. Ueberroth headlines Entrepreneurship Week Luncheon

Feb. 27, 2019— The Center for Entrepreneurship in the Craig School of Business at Missouri Western State University has announced that renowned business executive Peter V. Ueberroth will be the keynote speaker at the Entrepreneurship Week Capstone Luncheon at noon on Friday, March 29 in the Fulkerson Center at Missouri Western State University. Tickets for the luncheon are $15 and must be purchased in advance. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Call the Center for Entrepreneurship at 816-271-4283 or email entrepreneurship@missouriwestern.edu, or visit the CFE website at csb-cfe.missouriwestern.edu/entrepreneurship-week/.

“Peter Ueberroth exemplifies the spirit that we hope to encourage through Entrepreneurship Week, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him speak at our luncheon,” said Annette Weeks, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship.

Ueberroth graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in business, and joined Trans International Airlines, becoming a shareholder and vice president at the age of 22. He left TIA to establish his own travel company, First Travel Corp. In 1980, when it was sold, it was the second largest travel business in North America.

In 1984, Ueberroth was President and CEO of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.  The 1984 Olympics are widely considered to be the most financially successful games of the “modern Olympic era,” generating a profit of more than $250 million that continues to fund youth sports programs in Southern California. He served as the sixth commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989 and later became Chairman of the 1994 Los Angles FIFA World Cup. Ueberroth chaired the United States Olympic Committee from 2004 to 2008. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for Aircastle (AYR), and serves on the Board for Bell Riddell Giro and The Irvine Company. He served both as a Director and Chairman of the audit committee for The Coca Cola Company for over 30 years.

In addition to the keynote address by Ueberroth, the capstone luncheon will feature the announcement of the Entrepreneur of the Year and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year winners.

Sponsored by Don Tolly American Family Insurance Agency and Sumner, Carter, Hardy & Schwichtenberg, PC, Entrepreneurship Week is a series of workshops and events for local business professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs, college and high school students, and those curious about the skills needed to run a small business.

Business professors from multiple disciplines will offer small, personalized sessions at various times throughout the week. All of the sessions are open to the public and students for free. Walk-ins are also welcome, but registration will help the speakers prepare materials and examples for the sessions.

The week will also feature a special edition of the Cup of Joe entrepreneur gathering, and the MECA Challenge Kansas City Youth Competition will provide local high school students the opportunity to participate in an all-day event sponsored by the Innovation Stockyard.

For more information or to register for any of the events, call the Center for Entrepreneurship at 816-271-4283 or email entrepreneurship@missouriwestern.edu. You can also visit the CFE website at csb-cfe.missouriwestern.edu/entrepreneurship-week/.

About the Center for Entrepreneurship: The Center for Entrepreneurship trains, mentors and supports business owners and entrepreneurs in the St. Joseph area and beyond. Whether your business is new, new to the area, or simply trying something new, we can help.To date, the Center for Entrepreneurship has provided free consulting services to more than 500 new and existing entrepreneurs.

About Missouri Western: Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.