Guest Blogger: Lanre Badmus, Cameron School of Business '19 (B.S. BA with a concentration in International Business)

Who am I?

As a north Jersey native, I always wanted to go to college out-of-state to experience something new. I heard about Cameron School of Business (CSB) through a recommendation and I liked what I had seen after researching—the quality of the academic programs, the high student graduation rate and the size of the university all appealed to me. I had never been to the Carolinas prior to coming to UNCW, but I decided to take the plunge by moving 500 miles away nonetheless. Of course, the fact that campus is close to the beach also helped my decision! 

In the spring of 2002, a small committee of individuals invested in the education of Cameron’s students started something truly special that has since blossomed into something extraordinary.
Building on an idea that first originated in 1999, Skip Jones and Dick Verrone - Cameron School of Business (CSB) Executives in Residence and instructors - along with a handful of area business professionals and a few CSB faculty members, founded the Cameron Executive Network (CEN).

Guest Blogger: Liz Roesel, Marketing Manager, Horizon Software International and Cameron Executive Network Mentor

I’ve been told my approach to mentoring with the Cameron Executive Network has been drastically different than that of typical mentors. Now, this is not to assume that my method will be a good fit for every mentor or mentee, and I continue to learn and grow as a mentor. But, I hope in sharing my experience, potential mentors will see that the program allows for flexibility, and it’s possible to creatively maximize our mentorship reach.

Guest Blogger: JoAnn Toscano, visiting instructor at the Cameron School of Business and Cameron Executive Network mentor

In the past, companies have had the luxury of more time to adapt to change than that which is quickly becoming the standard today. In fact, on the technology front, many believe we are outpacing Moore’s Law, which states that technological processing power will likely double in as few as 18 months.

Guest Blogger: Arianne Hurtado, CSB '17

I am a senior graduating May 2017 and I would just like to send a thank you to you and your amazing staff at CEN. I transferred from Wake Tech Community College during Fall 2015. I transferred to UNCW because I love the opportunity that CEN offered. I got paired with Liz Roesel after the CEN mixer last semester. We immediately connected and are constantly in communication with each other.

March 2017 Editor's Note: This post was originally published in September 2016.

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Guest Blogger: Esther Baldo Andres, CSB '17, Marketing Strategy & International Business

I am a TABSA student from Spain, and I am currently working to receive a dual degree from the Cameron School of Business at UNCW and my home university, Universidad de Valencia, in Marketing Strategy and International Business. Participating in the Cameron Executive Network (CEN) Program has been one of the best things I have done during my time at UNCW. My mentor has been extremely helpful in explaining the job search process in the US. She started by identifying my skills and capabilities as well as areas of improvement to better my position myself in the business world. She coached me in resume and cover letter writing as well as in internship search and interview skills. Due to her help I was able to get an internship in a tech company in Spain. We will continue to work this year to get an internship in the US.

Guest Blogger: Kathy S. Behr, former pharmaceutical Marketing Research Manager, CEN Mentor

The idea for Cameron Executive Network was conceived to hook up experienced or retired business professionals with young soon-to-be business college graduates. It is a win-win situation, where both the mentor and mentee are exchanging wisdom, job search skills, and how to place yourself and your skill set on the job market. I joined CEN in Fall 2014, as I was looking for opportunities to volunteer and provide the knowledge I had gained in my pharmaceutical marketing research career.

Guest Blogger: Donna Coulson, M.S., Professional Certified Coach, Cameron Executive Network Mentor

I first met Mark Pentangelo at the CSB Mixer in early 2015.  A “Jersey boy,” he sought a summer internship at a NJ utility.  His professor told him I’d been in management at NJ Natural Gas.  I had also done contract work with PSEG.

Guest Blogger: Liz Roesel, Marketing Manager, Horizon Software International and Cameron Executive Network Mentor

Julia Ormond impressed me from the moment I met her, and her level of motivation and drive hasn’t let up since I first met her at the Spring Mixer. We met last week and expressed her interest in getting an internship, and I was able to connect her with Mark Johnson Custom Homes. They were my first employers after graduation and it’s going to be a win-win-win situation for us all. MJCH will be able to meet their marketing goals, Julia will gain invaluable real-world experience, and through our mentorship, I will be helping to facilitate the entire thing. I couldn’t imagine a better arrangement for a mentor, mentee and employer.

March 2017 Editor's Note: This post was originally published in June 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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In the spring of 2002, Skip Jones and Dick Verrone, Cameron School of Business Executives in Residence and instructors, realized that CSB students were in need of professional council to better facilitate the transition from academia to the world of work.  Having recently retired from long time business careers, Mr. Jones and Mr. Verrone recognized that Wilmington had a wealth of excellent professional resources in their own back yard.  Many of their colleagues were newly retired business executives in the area and expressed an interest in giving back and staying connected.  To capitalize this interest, the Cameron Executive Network (CEN) was formed.  At first, the program was quite small.  With only a few mentors involved, student participation was limited.  However, over the last 14 years the network has grown in size to nearly 250 experienced business executives, both active and retired, and these executives mentor approximately 400 Cameron Business School Students.