The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards descended on Loyola Marymount University’s Conrad Hilton School of Business for the 2007 GSEA California Regionals on 24 April. LMU has hosted the GSEA for the past seven years - including seeing four GSEA Global Finals winners emerge from their region, so expectations were high for the day and for the competitors.
The day was not without its controversy, as the judging panel of local distinguished entrepreneurs and CEOs was unable to decide a clear first place winner. With a two way tie for first and an equal number of first place votes, the judges had no alternative but to vote to break the tie.
A heated discussion of the merits of each student entrepreneur’s presentation ensued, with judges torn in both directions and finding it very difficult to choose a winner. After much deliberation, an unnamed student entrepreneur was declared First Place. Following him in Second Place was Daniel Negari, owner of Beverly Hills Mint and student of USC.
(Judges L to R: Jon Owyang, President of Market-Based Solutions, Jet Patel, CEO of Varad Corporation, Gerry Morton, President of Energy First, Gerald Olesker, CEO of Architectural Detail Group, and Brad Schy, President of Musical Chairs Ticket Service)
Third Place went to Lucy Pereda, owner of Abba Detailing and Inland Empire Auto Body and Paint. The Cal State-San Bernardino student was very close to the leaders in the judges’ scoring (all candidates scored well) and is determined to return to the GSEA next year and win the California Region. Sean Rad, Founder of Orgoo also placed in the top group for the California Region.
(Winners L to R: Daniel Negari, CEO of Beverly Hills Mint, USC; Sean Rad, Founder of Orgoo, USC; Lucy Pereda, Owner of Abba Detailing/Inland Empire AutoBody and Paint, Cal State-San Bernardino;)
After the event, a celebration of entrepreneurship was hosted by LMU and its distinguished Conrad Hilton Chair in Entrepreneurship, “Grandpa” Fred Kiesner. We at GSEA would like to thank Grandpa Fred for all of his support of the GSEA program and of entrepreneurship in general - it is said that Kiesner has taught over 16,000 students in his tenure at LMU. Judging by the fact that former students had flown in from as far away as London, UK to share their experiences with Kiesner, it was clear that he has had an amazing impact. Thanks again Grandpa Fred!
