The Tuck MBA - Alan Smith D'52 T'53 Visiting Executive (VE) Program

Alan Smith D'52 T'53 Visiting Executive (VE) Program

The Alan Smith D'52, T'53 Visiting Executive (VE) Program brings senior executives to the school to share their expertise in the classroom and meet with students and faculty. These visits give members of the Tuck community the chance to interact with business leaders from different sectors in a variety of settings.

Students are encouraged to sign up for an opportunity to meet with these visitors during meals, group discussions, and one-on-one conversations. One of six second-year student coordinators—chosen from a strong pool of candidates—serves as host for each visit. The host ensures that the visitor’s time at Tuck is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

A visit through the VE Program typically includes:

A classroom presentation that addresses an aspect of the curriculum, giving students the benefit of high-level expertise

Office hours with faculty and students

Lunch and dinner with students, allowing time for informal conversation

Spring 2008 VISITORS
The VE program hosts a variety of visitors each term. This spring, visitors include:

Peter Raskind D’78 T’79, CEO, National City Corporation

Tony Ehinger T’86, Managing Director, Credit Suisse First Boston

Laura Patterson, President & Co-Founder, VisionEdge Marketing

HJ Markley T’74, Executive Vice President, Deere & Company

Dave Craver T’97 & Marco Tablada T’98, Managing Directors, Lone Pine Capital, LLP

Frank R. Ruderman T'72, Chairman & CEO, Berkeley Heart Lab

Paul Raether T’73, General Partner, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company

VE Program History

In 1970, Tuck instituted the Executive-in-Residence (EIR) Program under the direction of Paul Doscher D'66. Tuck’s Executive-in-Residence suite was built in 1983 with a generous gift by Jim Wells D'42, T'47 and his wife, Jane. Mr. Wells had a distinguished marketing career at William Underwood and served Tuck in many ways. The suite was redecorated in 1994.

In 1993, the EIR Program was renamed the Visiting Executive Program, and in 1995 was endowed by Alan Smith D'52, T'53. After graduation from Tuck in 1953, Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Navy until 1956, when he joined General Motors Corporation. Over the years, he held many positions at GM, including president/general manager, GMC, Canada Ltd; executive vice president, finance (CFO); and executive vice president, operating and public affairs staff. After retiring in 1995, he purchased a small auto accessories company. He served on Tuck's board of overseers from 1981-87, acting as chairman from 1984-87.

The VE Program is managed by Andy Steele T’79, executive director of Development and Alumni Services, and is coordinated by Cindy Falzarano, who works closely with the six second-year student coordinators.

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