San Jose Sharks President to Speak at College of Business 28th Annual Business Day at Colorado State

Greg Jamison, president and chief executive officer of the San Jose Sharks hockey team and Colorado State University alumnus, will be the capstone speaker at Colorado State University’s Business Day on March 7.

Jamison will speak at 1:30 p.m. in the East Ballroom of the Lory Student Center at the annual Business Day event, which starts at 8:30 a.m. The theme of the free event is "Sustaining Our Future." Other speakers include executives from New Belgium Brewing Company, Gelazzi Italiano Caf and Optimum Management Systems.

"Business Day is an opportunity for students to learn firsthand about best practices in the business world," said John Olienyk, senior associate dean in the College of Business. "It’s an important part of our strategy to create partnerships with both regional and national businesses and it enables our students to learn from industry leaders."

"What a great opportunity for students to hear from one of the top leaders in professional sports today," said Keli McGregor, president of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club and a Colorado State alumnus. "Mr. Jamison, a CSU alumnus, will provide a unique learning opportunity for students to hear how he used his business education to become one of the more influential executives in the NHL today."

Business Day was developed in 1979 by the Business College Council in cooperation with the Associated Students of Colorado State University as a chance for students to learn from influential business people.

Past speakers have included Malcolm Forbes; the late President Ronald Reagan, then governor of California; and Pete Coors, chairman of Coors Brewing Co. and vice chairman of Molson Coors Brewing Co.

Jamison, a native of the Pacific Northwest, earned a master’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University. His career in sports administration started in 1977 when he worked as director of marketing for Athletes in Action, a Christian amateur sports organization.

Jamison later served as director of marketing for the Dallas Mavericks and went on to work as vice president of business operations with the Indiana Pacers before arriving in San Jose. He began working for the San Jose Sharks in 1993 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was promoted to president and chief executive officer in 1996. In 2001, former Sharks owner, George Gund III, approached Jamison to gather a group of investors to buy the team.

During his nine seasons as president, the San Jose Sharks have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs seven times. The team went to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 2004.

Jamison is active in several community organizations in California, such as the Board of Trustees of Ballet San Jose. He is also a member of other boards, including the Special Olympics and the San Jose Sports Authority.

Jamison is the last to speak on Business Day. A full schedule of events is available at http://www.biz.colostate.edu/events/businessday.htm.

Other speakers include:

– Jeffery Hill, president and vice chairman, Gelazzi Italiano Caf;

– Christine Perich, CFO, New Belgium Brewing Company;

– Monica Pleiman, chairman and CEO, Optimum Management Systems;

– Bob Taber, managing partner, Thomas, Taber, and Drazen;

– James D. Bartlett, Jr., executive vice president, Sopheon Corp.; and

– Bart Palmer, owner, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

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