With Regard To Excellence
2002 Distinguished Alumni Awards Spotlight Success of Both Alumni and the Olin SchoolWhen Aristotle said, “With regard to excellence, it is not enough to know, but we must try to have and use it,” he could have been speaking about the 2002 Distinguished Alumni awardees because the success of these individuals is, indeed, a testament to their ability to “use it.”
The awards were presented during the 16th annual Distinguished Alumni dinner on April 16 at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis. The Distinguished Alumni Awards were established to honor Olin School of Business alumni who have attained distinction in their careers. Last year’s recipients were Joseph M. Blomker, MBA ’90; Harold A. Brinner, BSBA ’38; Harvey M. Brown, BSBA ’48; and Raymond W. Harmon, BSBA ’48. The Skandalaris and Stern families were also honored with the Dean’s Medal at the event. The Dean’s Medal is awarded to special friends whose dedication and service to the Olin School have been exceptional.
Colleagues, family, and friends, whose introductory remarks appear here, introduced the 2002 honorees.
Joseph M. Blomker, EMBA ’90
President and chief executive officer, Maryville Technologies
Blomker began his business career as a general manager at a McDonald’s restaurant while studying for his undergraduate degree. He also acquired and operated a Baskin-Robbins franchise. After working for Southwestern Bell, AT&T, Digital Equipment, and Stout Industries, he co-founded Maryville Technologies, a leading engineering and systems integrations firm, in 1994. In the first six years, the company grew 100 percent annually. The company’s many awards include ranking 169th in the national Inc. 500 in 2000 and ranking third in the Deloitte & Touche Regional Fast 50 Program for the past two years.
“The success of Maryville Technologies says a lot about Joe. He has many admirable traits, but two stand out. Joe is tenacious…no one gets in his way when he makes a sale. The second trait…Joe listens very well. He listens to his customers and delivers what they want, not what may be easiest or most profitable for the company to provide.”
– Spencer Burke, managing director in investment banking at A.G. Edwards & Sons and adjunct professor of investment banking at Olin
Harold A. Brinner, BSBA ’38
Vice chairman, chief financial officer, and administrative officer, Mallinckrodt, Inc.
After attending Washington University on a full scholarship, Brinner began his distinguished career in 1942 at Price, Waterhouse & Co. He spent the next 16 years with the firm, except for the year he served as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. In 1954, Brinner joined Mallinckrodt as assistant controller. He was named controller the next year. He was promoted to treasurer and chief financial officer three years later, then to vice president in 1961. After being appointed to Mallinckrodt’s board, he was named vice chairman in 1971. He retired in 1980.
“When my father joined Mallinckrodt, it had $35 million in sales. When he left Mallinckrodt, you had to multiply that by 12, and they were in the Fortune 500. When he began, profits were minimal. When he left, they had grown by a factor of 116 to $36 million. That’s a 14 percent annual rate of return. On a more personal note, my mother certainly was a key part of the whole family chemistry, and by extension, you are honoring her tonight.”
– Roger Brinner, economist, Concord, Mass.
Harvey M. Brown, BSBA ’48
Partner and founder, Rubin, Brown, Gornstein & Co., LLP
Not long after graduating from Washington University in 1948, Brown joined forces with two friends, Mahlon Rubin and Sidney Gornstein, to create Rubin, Brown, Gornstein & Co. LLP, a major accounting firm in St. Louis. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. It is now the 5th largest one-office CPA firm in the country. It is the largest such firm in Missouri and employs 250 people.
“Harvey is very thoughtful about other people. Very thoughtful about the impact that he has had on all of us – family, friends, RBG partners, and our other 240 team members. He’s a terrific partner, unselfish player, and friend. He has become the standard for young business leaders in this community and for those who work with him.”
– Steven Brown, partner in charge of the tax department at Rubin, Brown, Gornstein & Co., LLP
Raymond W. Harmon, BSBA ’48
Chairman, Growing Family, Inc., formerly HASCO International
Harmon’s business success began in 1955 when he purchased the Identi-Foto infant photography franchise. Harmon and his wife, Grace, soon built the business into a nationwide success. First Foto, which united several of the company’s operations, was formed in 1965. In 1981, First Foto merged with a California-based firm to create HASCO International. Now called Growing Family, Inc., the company has captured 80 percent of the nation’s market. It generates approximately $90 million in sales yearly and employs more than 1,600 people.
“I have heard Ray espouse a philosophy that is so basic and so simple that it almost defies reason. Yet, it is one of the foundations of many successful American businesses. That philosophy is, ‘Do something well, do it right, do it on time, and stick to it. If you are correct, you will succeed.’ Ray Harmon has succeeded not only in business but also as a civic leader and a person who has walked the talk. His accomplishments from government to civic to religious advancements have benefited the community in ways that will touch lives forever.”
– Dale Rollings, attorney
The Skandalaris Family
Robert and Julie Skandalaris have demonstrated their commitment to the Olin School and to Washington University in a variety of ways. They established the Skandalaris Entrepreneurship Program, part of Olin’s Center for Experiential Learning, which provides students with practical experience as entrepreneurs. It also offers a funding source for student-started companies and allowed Olin to double its offerings in entrepreneurship education. The Skandalarises also served as the 2001-02 co-chairs of the University’s Parents Council and are members of both the Detroit Regional Cabinet and Campaign Committee, and the Parents Admission Program.
“Bob’s passion for entrepreneurship and the family’s interest in ‘making a difference’ couldn’t have come at a more propitious time. The Skandalaris legacy does not stop with this program. Bob and Julie, your every involvement has been constructive, your generosity is exemplary, and you are a role model for managers, leaders, and those aspiring to such positions.”
– Stuart Greenbaum, dean of the Olin School and Bank of America Professor
The Stern Family
Max (“Mickey”) S. and Deborah Stern have given invaluable resources and support to the Olin School and to Washington University. They established the Stern Global Investment Fund to allow students to gain hands-on investment experience by managing the first nonequity fund in the Investment Praxis course. They have co-chaired the Parents Council, served on the Parents Campaign Committee, the Detroit Regional Cabinet, and the Alumni and Parents Admission Program. Additionally, they have supported Scholars in Business and St. Louis Hillel.
“Anyone who knows the Sterns knows that they do not do anything half-heartedly. They jumped into their roles as co-chairs of Parents Council with unbridled enthusiasm They were enthusiastic about establishing a new fund for students to manage, giving birth to the Stern Global Investment Fund. Their hearts are big, and their friendship is offered with great warmth and hospitality.”
–Stuart Greenbaum, dean of the Olin School and Bank of America Professor
By C.B. Adams
