Accelerator 2007

For the past several months since joining the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management, one of Jeff's responsibilities has been the marketing and communications efforts surrounding the school's 30-day Accelerator Summer Business Institute. Accelerator, in its third year, is an intense business boot camp for a group of highly selective undergraduates and recent grads from some of the top colleges and universities in the country. For a month, students work 12-15+ hour days in a competitive team setting where they not only get an introduction to MBA coursework and concepts, but serve as consultants on real business issues facing such organizations as American Airlines, Lexus, FedEx, Whirlpool, HCA, National Civil Rights Museum, Tennessee Performing Arts Center and others. On Saturday (the final full day), the program culminated with the students providing their ideas and recommendations on how the program can generate more marketing buzz and brand awareness in the future - a very impressive and quite helpful project (for Jeff and the Owen Marketing crew) that will undoubtedly help elevate the program in 2008. The day ended with a classy dinner at the Country Music Hall of Fame to celebrate the accomplishments of the past 30 days.

It's been a pretty busy week for both of us at work, so nothing else too earth-shattering to report. It's FINALLY raining right now, which despite putting a damper on some of our Sunday plans outside, is a good thing. It has rained maybe twice in the last month here, so bring it on!

Some birthday shout-outs to mention. Happy belated to Foley, Mark Faraci, and Cal ... Happy upcoming b-days this week to Jane, Jen Kelly and Meggan!

Until next time ...