World View and Adaptability to Change

Geoff DeRohan
EMBA 1999
Managing Partner
Pandion International

As an overview, I feel that the program definitely gives one the tools and the courage to think outside of the conventions of one's industry. Having worked for a company that struggled, as it still does today, to survive, let alone thrive, I have discovered, first hand, what happens when one's journey through the "dinosaur's alimentary canal" comes to an end. Certainly, the EMBA program cushions the fall.

After cleaning oneself off from the above journey, the knowledge and processes learned at The University of Tennessee are immediately beneficial. I have found that my ability to assess the totality of a situation and subsequently break it down into comprehensible parts has dramatically improved. These skills were necessary as I assessed the risks and rewards of being self-employed. Therefore, I am a very enthusiastic fan of the integrated curriculum approach as it builds on the team-oriented co-opetition focused residence periods which are unique to this program.

I have successfully characterized my experience at The University of Tennessee as a legitimate and substantial transition experience that enabled me to go from divisional management to internal M&A liaison to an (aspiring) independent dealmaker. Further, clients find validity in the concept that the program enabled me to compound the lessons learned in each phase of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which passes as my career. In my case, the strategic management process that Alex Miller taught serves as a great segue or transitional discussion to take a prospect from the where-is-my-company-now to the where-do-I-want-to-take-it phase.

In closing, I am confident that the combination of the content, format, faculty and camaraderie experienced through the program should, if the candidate is properly motivated, provide an invaluable asset to the individual and by extension, to the employer.

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