Orange County California’s Chapman University created a new Chapman Entrepreneur of the Year award and they are giving the very first one to Volcom’s Richard Woolcott.
The honor, which Sudek said “reflects the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit of Southern California,” is meant to recognize the vital role Orange County plays in American business. . . Richard Woolcott co-founded Volcom in 1991. He has served as the company’s CEO since that time, and took the company public in 2005. In addition to his business credentials, Woolcott is also an athlete and member of the Scholastic Surfing Association Hall of Fame.
Wooly better make some more space in his trophy case. . .
ORANGE, Calif., April 13 — Citing an “award that reflects the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit of Southern California,” Richard Sudek, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Chapman University, today announced the first-ever Chapman Entrepreneur of the Year Award to be presented by the Leatherby Entrepreneurship Center at the Chapman University Argyros School of Business and Economics. The award is a significant step in recognition of Orange County’s vital place in American business, and will be presented to Richard Woolcott, chairman and chief executive officer of Costa Mesa-based Volcom, Inc., one of the world’s leading action sports brands. The presentation will be made to Woolcott at the first annual awards dinner on May 19, 2010 at 5:30 PM at Chapman University, Beckman Hall 404.
According to Dr. P.K. Shukla, Vice Chancellor for Entrepreneurship, Chapman University, “Orange County has been a center of American entrepreneurship for a long time. This fact has been effectively supported by the Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University, which is recognized around the world as one of the premier business schools. The new Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates this dynamic spirit and we’re honored to present the first award of its kind to an executive who so perfectly exemplifies that spirit.”
Richard Woolcott co-founded Volcom in 1991 and has served as its chief executive officer since the company’s inception and Chairman of the Board since 2008. Woolcott took the company public in 2005 ( VLCM). In addition to his years of business experience, Woolcott was a sponsored athlete for Quiksilver from 1981 to 1989 and a member of the National Scholastic Surfing Association into whose Hall of Fame he was inducted in 2004. He also was a member of the United States Surfing Team in 1984. His business skills have been recognized by such awards as the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Individual Achiever of the Year in 2003. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.
Woolcott stated: “Our region is extremely diverse in culture and ideas and has become well-known for inspiring the creation of enduring global businesses. I am honored to be selected as the first recipient of this award.”
The first annual awards dinner on May 19 will assemble Orange County leaders from all areas of business and investment as well as members of the faculty and affiliated top executives from the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship. To further acknowledge the growth of entrepreneurial energy, the Entrepreneurship Center has also sponsored a student business plan competition and winners will be announced at the awards dinner.
Tickets for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the first annual awards dinner can be purchased at http://chapmanuniversityentrepreneuraward.eventbrite.com. Sponsorships and table purchases can be arranged by contacting Nella Webster O’Grady at nwebster@palocapital.com or at (949) 715-2126.
About the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics
The George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics distinguishes itself by providing students, alumni and the business community with unmatched access to exceptional teachers and a network of top executives in one of the nation’s most dynamic business communities. The Argyros School prepares individuals and organizations to achieve their intellectual and professional goals stressing teamwork within a multidisciplinary framework to solve problems. The emphasis is on teaching and outreach reinforced through basic and applied research from a dedicated faculty of teachers and scholars committed to excellence. Students are challenged in academic programs that stress economics and the functional areas of business supplemented by analytical and behavioral skills within a pragmatic framework. Entrepreneurship and ethics as well as written and oral communication skills are integrated throughout the curriculum along with elements of international business. More information can be found at http://www.chapman.edu/argyros/.
GO Wooly!! You earned it!!
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