|
Returns on Investment
TBN Membership Grows, Name Changes Under Mendez Chairmanship
Under the leadership of TBN Advisory Committee Chair Larry Mendez, the program has grown in both vision and scope, and now serves over 63,000 members. Established as the Texas Business Network (TBN) in 1997, the program officially announced a name change to the University of Texas Business Network (UTBN) at the Advisory Committee meeting in April. The mission remains the same: to unite, inform, and network, promoting career development and business success for all University of Texas alumni in committees across the country and throughout the world. Mendez (BBA 79) has served as chair since April 1999.
Owing his current position at Heidrick & Struggles Professional Services Practice to connections made through the UTBN, Mendez is bullish on its possibilities. But he stresses that the network only works if you participate. Quoting networking guru Harvey Mackay, Mendez advises fellow alumni to "dig your well before you're thirsty" and develop mutually beneficial relationships early in your career.
Recent graduates who serve on UTBN committees can make many cross-industry relationships quickly and have the opportunity to establish informal mentoring relationships with established professionals. But the UTBN is not just for new graduates. Seasoned professionals will find that career moves are facilitated through the network, both directly and indirectly. Because UTBN is not restricted to Business graduates, a wide range of interpersonal connections is available to members.
Benchmarking with the alumni networks of great business schools, Mendez has developed a relevant and exciting program for Texas alumni. He has worked with the CBA Foundation and the Ex-Students' Association to bring in guest speakers, facilitate the exchange of information, and open the door to people outside the network. In the next few years, he envisions UTBN becoming even more global, representing all industries and functional areas, and providing an array of personal and professional contacts.
The UTBN membership is a "tremendous untapped resource" for McCombs School of Business alumni believes Mendez. "Business people need to network to succeed, and UTBN provides a ready-made means by which to ensure that success."
For additional information on UTBN and its benefits, contact Nita Snyder, Manager, Alumni Relations, (512) 475-8173.
For information on specific programs at the McCombs School, consult our contacts page. For media information, contact the Communications Director by phone at 512-471-3314 or by email at CommunicationsDirector@mccombs.utexas.edu.
