JMU Students Develop New Businesses
Entrepreneur and CoB Professor Coach Students from Many JMU Majors
Can you take an idea and turn it into profit?
Students in CoB’s Venture Creation management course are learning to do just that. They are finding out what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. In fact, some top executives are willing to bet on—or at least invest in—the next “future market” coming out of CoB.
This fall John Rothenberger, who returns this semester at CoB’s first Entrepreneur in Residence, is working with Professor Carol Hamilton in the Venture Creation course.
For the third semester, Hamilton and Rothenberger are coaching an interdisciplinary group of students from across the university in a course where students plan a viable entrepreneurial businesses. Each team includes business students working with non-majors. The team develops an idea from conception to creation.
Students benefit from the expertise of a “real world” entrepreneur and professional guidance, which is critical to the initial stages of business development. With more than 16 years of executive leadership experience, Rothenberger is an expert in venture creation. He has the ability to envision viable business ventures and the knowledge and skills to plan and implement strategies that lead to financial stability. He has founded two successful companies that have received business awards and been leaders in their respective industries.
Rothenberger (Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, ’88) is serving in his second semester as Entrepreneur in Residence, a position created as a collaborative program between the Center for Entrepreneurship and COB’s Management Department.
He is CEO and founder of Strategic Enterprise Solutions, Inc., a post 911 business dedicated to delivering IT and business services and solutions to improve our nation’s homeland security. Before SE Solutions was created, Mr. Rothenberger started Aspire Technology Group (formerly Clover Technologies), an IT company.
Coupled with his expertise, Rothenberger’s enthusiasm for training students to achieve business success provides COB an extraordinary opportunity to convey the knowledge and skills he brings to the industry.
John Rothenberger is holding campus office hours in Zane Showker Hall, Room 545, adjacent to the CoB Center for Entrpreneurship. To schedule an appointment, call his office (540.568.3022) or the Management Department (540.568.3038).
