ORANGE, Calif., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Citing an "award that
reflects the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit of Southern California," Richard Sudek, Assistant Professor of
Entrepreneurship, Chapman University, today announced the
first-ever Chapman Entrepreneur of the Year Award to be presented
by the Leatherby Entrepreneurship Center at the Chapman University Argyros School of Business and
Economics. The award is a significant step in recognition of
Orange County's vital place in
American business, and will be presented to Richard Woolcott, chairman and chief executive
officer of Costa Mesa-based
Volcom, Inc., one of the world's leading action sports brands. The
presentation will be made to Woolcott at the first annual awards
dinner on May 19, 2010 at
5:30 PM at Chapman University, Beckman
Hall 404.
According to Dr. P.K. Shukla,
Vice Chancellor for Entrepreneurship, Chapman
University, "Orange County
has been a center of American entrepreneurship for a long time.
This fact has been effectively supported by the Argyros School of
Business and Economics at Chapman
University, which is recognized around the world as one of
the premier business schools. The new Entrepreneur of the Year
Award celebrates this dynamic spirit and we're honored to
present the first award of its kind to an executive who so
perfectly exemplifies that spirit."
Richard Woolcott co-founded
Volcom in 1991 and has served as its chief executive officer since
the company's inception and Chairman of the Board since 2008.
Woolcott took the company public in 2005 (Nasdaq: VLCM). In
addition to his years of business experience, Woolcott was a
sponsored athlete for Quiksilver from 1981 to 1989 and a member of
the National Scholastic Surfing Association into whose Hall of Fame
he was inducted in 2004. He also was a member of the United States
Surfing Team in 1984. His business skills have been recognized by
such awards as the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association
Individual Achiever of the Year in 2003. He earned a B.S. in
Business Administration from Pepperdine
University.
Woolcott stated: "Our region is extremely diverse in culture and
ideas and has become well-known for inspiring the creation of
enduring global businesses. I am honored to be selected as the
first recipient of this award."
The first annual awards dinner on May
19 will assemble Orange
County leaders from all areas of business and investment as
well as members of the faculty and affiliated top executives from
the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship. To further acknowledge
the growth of entrepreneurial energy, the Entrepreneurship Center
has also sponsored a student business plan competition and winners
will be announced at the awards dinner.
Tickets for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the
first annual awards dinner can be purchased at
http://chapmanuniversityentrepreneuraward.eventbrite.com.
Sponsorships and table purchases can be arranged by contacting
Nella Webster O'Grady at nwebster@palocapital.com or at (949)
715-2126.
About the George L. Argyros School of Business and
Economics
The George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics
distinguishes itself by providing students, alumni and the business
community with unmatched access to exceptional teachers and a
network of top executives in one of the nation's most dynamic
business communities. The Argyros School prepares individuals and
organizations to achieve their intellectual and professional goals
stressing teamwork within a multidisciplinary framework to solve
problems. The emphasis is on teaching and outreach reinforced
through basic and applied research from a dedicated faculty of
teachers and scholars committed to excellence. Students are
challenged in academic programs that stress economics and the
functional areas of business supplemented by analytical and
behavioral skills within a pragmatic framework. Entrepreneurship
and ethics as well as written and oral communication skills are
integrated throughout the curriculum along with elements of
international business. More information can be found at
http://www.chapman.edu/argyros/.
Contact:
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Deborah Jones
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Strategies
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714-957-8880, ext.113
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deborah@strategiesadpr.com
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SOURCE Chapman University