Though he graduated three decades ago, Greg Lea never left his school behind. Now chief financial officer for Pemstar, which operates 16 locations on four continents, Lea does business around the world but always stays connected to MSU.
He is a longtime leader on the College of Business Advisory Council, a panel of executives that has guided progress on many fronts. Top priority was gaining AACSB International accreditation. Next came boosting technology, linking students with mentors, and launching the MBA program. Lea, a 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, savors each campus visit and says, "I draw on what I learned there every single day."
MSU laid solid groundwork for a future in business, Lea says. A farm kid from Blooming Prairie, he found a good fit at the school, especially once he began classes in accounting and management. He was impressed by the faculty’s knowledge and amazed by their accessibility and commitment to students’ success. "I loved the campus. I loved the community," he says. "My experience there was great."
Lea quickly became a success story. After graduating in 1974, he went to work for IBM, where he climbed to roles in senior financial management. In 1993, Lea was recruited by the commemorative products giant Jostens, where he was corporate vice president. He was named chief financial officer of Rochester-based Pemstar two years ago. The company, which provides engineering and manufacturing services for high-tech businesses, does $700 million in business annually.
Lea believes leadership extends outside the office. He’s a past chair and current member of the College of Business Advisory Council, a group of 34 executives who help the school respond to current market demands. Guidance from Lea and other Council members has been critical to key initiatives such as gaining accreditation from AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). "That’s a statement of quality," Lea says. "It assures students their education will be a first-class product." The Advisory Council also shaped the IT Initiative, which makes cutting-edge technology part of everyday life in the College of Business, and guided formation of the MBA program.
These days Lea seeks connections with students. He’s been a regular in the Executive Lecture series, bringing current ideas and practical advice from the business world to MSU audiences. He’s participated in e-mentoring, creating online relationships between undergraduates and working professionals. And he’s helped students build experience through job shadowing and internships. "People always wonder, "Am I prepared?’" Lea says. "We can do things to help students answer that question."
