Council to Headline Business Week 2010

LaVerne Council, corporate vice president and CIO of Johnson & Johnson and an Illinois State University alumna, will be the keynote speaker for Illinois State's Business Week 2010, March 29 - April 1. The theme for this year's Business Week is "Building Your Future." Events will include mock job interviews, a business networking dinner, seminars on careers and money management and class presentations by College of Business Hall of Fame inductees.

For a complete list of the week's events, speakers, locations and student registration information visit the College of Business Web site.

Council M.B.A. '86 will speak on "Own Your Future - Realizing That the Dream Doesn't Just Happen" on Wednesday, March 31, at 2 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Braden Auditorium. A College of Business Alumni Network (COBAN) reception will follow at 3 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Old Main Room. Council's keynote presentation and the reception are free and open to the public.

Council will also lead the Women in Technology Forum that day from 4-5 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Old Main Room. The informal session will explore the opportunities, challenges and key issues facing women in the information technology field. The event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is required and can be completed by clicking on women.

Business Week is sponsored by Illinois State's College of Business and brings corporate and industry leaders to campus to speak on important issues, trends and developments. The week's events help students from all academic disciplines better understand the skills needed for success in a dynamic global business environment and emphasize educational preparation, leadership, service, etiquette, networking, goal setting, and career advancement.

Business Week activities will begin on Monday, March 29, with an etiquette and networking dinner and business apparel fashion show in the Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom, beginning at 6 p.m. Author and business coach Stephanie L.H. Calahan will guide pre-registered students through the intricacies of business dinner etiquette and proper attire for the professional workplace.

The Build-A-Blanket Corporate Social Responsibility Day activity will be held on Tuesday, March 30, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the lower level atrium in the College of Business Building. Students will have the opportunity to help create fleece blankets that will be distributed to local nursing homes, homeless shelters and low-income daycare centers. From 12:30 - 4 p.m. that afternoon, pre-registered students will get expert coaching on job interview skills during mock interview sessions led by professional business recruiters. The mock interviews will be held at various locations in the College of Business Building.

On Tuesday, March 30, from 6:30 - 8 p.m., Business Week transition seminars will address the challenges of moving from being a student to a business professional. The interactive seminars, held in the College of Business Building, will be led by College of Business alumni. Topics will include the benefits of internships, negotiating job offers and benefits packages, money management, and getting an M.B.A. The seminars are free and open to all students.

On Thursday, April 1, new College of Business Hall of Fame inductees will address key elements of The Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRiME) as they interact with students and faculty in undergraduate classes. PRiME, a joint initiative of the United Nations and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, is a framework for preparing tomorrow's leaders and advancing global social responsibility and sustainability through activities, coursework, research, and interaction with industry professionals.

Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are: Gary Gemberling '63, founder, Gemberling & Associates CPAs; Duane Livingston '70, retired vice president, Caterpillar; David Magers '77, M.B.A. '86, executive vice president and CFO, COUNTRY Financial; Mark Thorndyke '85, financial planner and investment management analyst, Merrill Lynch; and Donna F. Zarcone '79, founder, D.F. Zarcone & Associates LLC. Hall of Fame Service Award winners are: Jay Edmondson, retired vice president for underwriting and service, State Farm; and George Eovaldi, retired vice president of accounting, State Farm.

As corporate vice president and CIO, LaVerne Council oversees Johnson & Johnson's

global I/T group. In this capacity, she is responsible for managing information technology and related systems for the $63.7 billion Johnson & Johnson worldwide enterprise. A member of the Corporate Global Operating Committee, her organization includes more than 250 operating companies and more than 4,000 information management employees. Council is a proven thought leader with a demonstrated track record of achievement that includes a wealth of global experience in information technology, supply chain management, and business operations.

Before joining Johnson & Johnson, she was global vice president for information technology, global business solutions and development services for Dell Inc. More biographical information on LaVerne Council and Hall of Fame inductees is available by clicking on Hall of Fame.