Fastest Growing Businesses in Hampton Roads run by W&M Executive MBAs

Twenty to thirty percent increases in revenue in one year – sounds like science fiction in the current economic climate, right?  Yet these very real numbers are currently being achieved by two Virginia companies with leadership connections to the W&M Executive MBA Program, which is ranked in the International Top 40 by Bloomberg Businessweek.  SteelMaster Buildings and Prevailance were recently named to “The Roaring 20” – the 20 fastest-growing companies in Hampton Roads, Virginia in 2011.  W&M Executive MBA alumna Karen Willis M.B.A.’07 is one of three VPs growing SteelMaster Buildings and John Owens, CEO of Prevailance, is preparing to join the ranks of the EMBAs at W&M in January 2012.

Both companies are clearly part of the new economy.  Prevailance currently works mainly with DoD clients, assessing security plans, testing weapons systems, and offering strategic planning, project management, and analysis.  Selected as a preferred contractor for the new FAA “eFAST” program, Prevailance plans to move into the commercial sector soon.  SteelMaster Buildings is increasing its exports and has strategically grown its international sales to 20 percent of the business, partly through its participation in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s VALET class, which is a highly selective two-year exporting program.

Willis and Owens are excellent examples of the type of leader attracted to the W&M Executive MBA Program – smart, strategic, agile, successful.  Even with multiple years of managerial experience, these executives knew they could sharpen their business skills through an MBA program designed for them.  The 20-month W&M Executive MBA Program delivers high-level teaching, discussion, and debate with other executives, led by world-class faculty.  The EMBA incorporates an international trip into the curriculum as a necessary component of learning about the global economy. The twice-monthly in-person class schedule promotes camaraderie and networking and supports life balance for participants with high-level responsibilities. Cognizant of executive student time demands, the EMBA concierge-style service raises the bar for competitors.

Congratulations, John and Karen – you make William & Mary proud.  Now we must ask:  Have you considered running for president in 2012?  After all, you seem to be masters of job creation.