Robert Fox, who served as an executive-in-residence at the Graduate School of Management in 2001, has founded a $350,000 endowment at UC Davis to "raise the level of the positive experience." (Karin Higgins/UC Davis photo)
Management students reap benefits from visiting executives
One of the nation's most influential money managers is investing in more than the markets -- he's teaching a class of future business leaders in the Graduate School of Management.
Russell Read, chief investment officer at CalPERS, is serving as the Robert A. Fox Executive-in-Residence at the Graduate School of Management.
The management school has had a senior-level, often recently retired executive teach an MBA course each year since 1993. But Read is the first in that role since Robert Fox, who has led Foster Farms and other major corporations for decades, donated $350,000 to the program to help it continue.
In addition to class lectures, the executive-in-residence brings in other high-level executives to guest lecture and meets with students. Read is teaching about 65 students in a course on portfolio construction and risk management.
GSM executives-in-residence
- 2007: Russell Read, chief investment officer at CalPERS
- 2006: Sotiris Kolokotronis, founder and owner of SKK Developments
- 2005: Lee McIntire retired executive, partner and member of the board of directors of the Bechtel Group
- 2004: Lon Hatamiya, former secretary of the California Technology Trade & Commerce Agency
- 2003: Linda Oubre, co-founder, and former director president and COO of BriteSmile
- 2002: Charles Steinberg, retired president and CEO of the Broadcast and Professional Co. of Sony Electronics
- 2001: Robert Fox, retired president and chief executive officer of Foster Farms
- 2000: W. Keith Kennedy, retired president and CEO of Watkins-Johnson Co.
- 1999: John R. Thomas, retired president and CEO of J.P. Morgan Trust Bank (Japan)
- 1998: John W. Collins retired president and COO of The Clorox Co.
- 1997: John W. Weiser, senior vice president and director of Bechtel Group
- 1996: Edward M. Carson, retired chairman and CEO of First Interstate Bancorp
- 1995: David E. Collins, former vice chairman of Johnson & Johnson and retired president of Schering-Plough HealthCare Products
- 1994: Robert McClements, Jr., retired chairman of Sun Co.
- 1993: James L. Ketelsen, retired chairman and CEO of Tenneco Inc.
"One of the things I've really enjoyed about my experience at the Graduate School of Management is the interaction and access that we have to top CEOs, business leaders and decision makers, especially in the Sacramento Region," said Brian Hoblit, a second-year MBA student in Read's class.
The Fox gift was announced and Read introduced as executive-in-residence at an April event at the Sacramento headquarters of the California Public Employees' Retirement System.
Read more about the program, watch two NewsWatch TV news pieces about the gift and program, or listen in as UC Davis Professor Brad Barber, a leading expert in investor behavior, moderates a discussion with Fox and Read on business ethics, global warming, executive compensation and options backdating.
Story and videos
- "CEOs bring executive know-how to UC Davis MBAs," News Service 4.19.07
- "Donor's gift offers real-world education," NewsWatch video, Paul Pfotenhauer, producer; Ken Zukin, videographer (Windows Media or Quicktime, 1 min. 48 sec)
Formats: Windows Media | QuickTime - "Local CEOs challenge management students," NewsWatch video, Paul Pfotenhauer, producer; Ken Zukin, videographer (Windows Media or Quicktime, 1 min. 49 sec)
Formats: Windows Media | QuickTime - Q&A: Management professor Brad Barber interviews executives Russell Read and Robert Fox, courtesy of CalPERS Office of Public Affairs, Multimedia Production Services (Windows Media or Quicktime, 44:30 min)
Formats: Windows Media | QuickTime Media
On the home page: Russell Read, chief investment officer at CalPERS, the nation's largest public pension fund, talks business with management professor Brad Barber, foreground. Read is teaching a course on portfolio construction and risk management at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management as this year's executive-in-residence. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis photo)