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Date 4-4-06
Contact Jana Bryant 601.266.5854
Hattiesburg—Two
of the country’s most well-known entrepreneurs will be in Hattiesburg
on Tuesday, April 18, for Distinguished Entrepreneur Lecture Series
events at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Dallas businessman
H. Ross Perot, founder of Electronic Data Systems and Perot Systems
Corp., will be honored as the 2006 Distinguished Entrepreneur by
the College of Business (COB) at a luncheon, with proceeds benefiting
establishment of an endowed professorship in entrepreneurship in
the college.
David Oreck,
founder of the New Orleans-based Oreck Corporation and familiar
TV face for marketing his company’s vacuum cleaners, will be the
luncheon keynote speaker. Oreck, recipient of the college’s first
Distinguished Entrepreneur award in 2001, will talk about his company’s
recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Oreck vacuum cleaners are made
in the company’s 375,000-square-foot factory in Long Beach.
During the luncheon,
the College of Business will present Perot with the 2006 Distinguished
Entrepreneur award, given to an entrepreneur whose individual spirit
of determination and vision has resulted in an American success
story. Cost for the luncheon is $35 and tickets must be purchased
in advance through the convention center at 601.268.3200 or the
COB dean’s office at 601.266.4659.
Perot will speak
on entrepreneurship during the college’s annual Distinguished Entrepreneur
lecture at 2:30 p.m. in the Mannoni Performing Arts Center, located
on Southern Drive, across the street from the Elam Arms residence
hall on Hardy Street. There is no admission charge for the lecture,
and the public is invited.
“Mr. Perot is
a business icon and a huge part of American culture. One of the
most successful entrepreneurs of all time, he has solidified his
place in history. We are extremely honored that he will share some
of his life and business insights with our students and community,”
said Dr. Harold Doty, dean of the College of Business.
A graduate of
the U.S. Naval Academy, Perot started Electronic Data Systems (EDS)
in 1962 with a $1,000 loan from his wife, Margot. Over the next
22 years he built EDS into one of the world’s largest technology
services firms, and in 1984 he sold the company to General Motors
for $2.5 billion.
In 1988, he
founded another technology services company, Perot Systems Corporation.
He served as chief executive officer and helped take the company
public in 1999. He also served as chairman of the board until 2004,
when he was elected chairman emeritus.
Perot ran for
president of the United States in 1992 as an Independent candidate,
winning 19 percent of the vote, one of the largest percentages ever
for an Independent. He ran again in 1996 on the Reform Party ticket.
In addition
to his successful business career, Perot has been involved in a
number of public activities. In 1969, at the request of the U.S.
government, he spearheaded a three and a half-year campaign to end
the brutal treatment U.S. POWs received from their Southeast Asian
captors. In recognition of his efforts, Perot was awarded the Medal
for Distinguished Public Service, the highest civilian award presented
by the Department of Defense.
In 1979, when
two EDS employees were taken hostage by the Iranian government,
Perot organized and directed a successful rescue mission. The rescue
team was composed of a group of EDS employees, who were Vietnam
War veterans, and led by retired Special Forces Col. Arthur “Bull”
Simmons. The effort inspired the book “On Wings of Eagles” by Ken
Follett, which was later made into an NBC television mini-series.
Perot has also
been active in public policy issues in his home state of Texas.
In 1979 he led the Texans’ War on Drugs Committee, and in 1984,
led the effort to reform the public school system in Texas. He has
received numerous awards and honors for his business and public
activities, including the Winston Churchill Award, the Raoul Wallenberg
Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the National Business
Hall of Fame and the Horatio Alger Award. Perot has also authored
several books on a variety of subjects.
Luncheon keynote
speaker David Oreck founded Oreck Corporation in 1963 and subsequently
developed the popular eight-pound Oreck vacuum cleaner. The company
also produces other floor care and water care products, which Oreck
markets by direct mail, telemarketing, and a network of 500 company-owned
and licensed Oreck retail stores around the country. The company
has 1,500 employees nationwide.
Following Hurricane
Katrina in August 2005, the company brought in temporary housing,
generators, food, water and medial supplies for employees and reopened
the manufacturing facility by mid-September.
Oreck is the
recipient of numerous national advertising and marketing awards.
He was recently awarded American Marketing Association’s “Marketer
of the Year” for 2003 and was named both U.S. National Finalist
and Louisiana Entrepreneur of the Year.
“Hosting two
of the world’s most recognized entrepreneurs is a unique opportunity
for Southern Miss and comes at a time when Mississippi is focused
on rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina. As a university, we are focused
on fully participating in the economic growth and vitality of the
state of Mississippi. Furthering educational support in the area
of entrepreneurship is one important way the business school can
contribute to Mississippi’s economic expansion,” Doty said.
Manager-level
sponsors of the luncheon are Isle of Capri Casino, Hudson Salvage
Inc. and Ward International Trucks.
Investor-level
sponsors are Citizens National Bank, Carlisle Corporation, Parkway
Properties, BancorpSouth, H.D. Ruffin Companies, Trustmark Bank,
Hancock Bank/Ross, King Walker, The First, A National Banking Association,
Horne Group LLP, Hattiesburg Clinic, Chain’s Electric Company, Coca-Cola
Bottling Company, Warren Paving Company, Jim Payne Foundation, Dr.
Carlton Turner, Al Herron, AmSouth Bank and Wesley Medical Center.
Click to enlarge
Ross Perot
Click to enlarge
David Oreck
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