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 our second-year student coordinators serves as host for each executive, ensuring that the visit is enjoyable and rewarding.

Pictured are Niya Johnson T'13, student coordinator, Beth Spruance T'96, VP Global Marketing at Origins, Inc., and Professor Peter Golder.

Spring 2013 Visitors

The VE program hosts a variety of visitors each term. Some of the visitors we look forward to hosting include:

• Jim Weber T’86, President & CEO,  Brooks Sports, Inc.
• Brent Ahrens T’97, General Partner, Canaan Partners
• John Fernandez, President & CEO, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Foundation & Infirmary
• Giles Dickson, VP Environmental Policis & Global Advocacy, Alstom
• Cuong Viet Do D’88 T’89, Executive VP & Chief Strategy Officer, Merck, Inc.
• Robert Hower T’93, General Partner, Advanced Technology Ventures
• Maggie Lapcewich, President, Diageo Canada
• Ross Jaffe D’80, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Versant Ventures

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 (andrew.r.steele@tuck.dartmouth.edu), executive director of Development and Alumni Services, and is coordinated by Cindy Falzarano (cynthia.l.falzarano@tuck.dartmouth.edu), who works closely with the six second-year student coordinators.