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March 2012
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Alumni Stories
Thom McElroy
Volcom
SDSU '89
Thom initially came to SDSU to pursue a business degree. But into his second year he realized he was not pursuing what mattered to him. Transferred into PFSA to get his graphic design degree, graduated, created his own marketing agency and went on to co-found Volcom.
Key lesson: Pursue what matters.
Key lesson: Pursue what matters.
Ralph Rubio
Rubio's
SDSU '78
Ralph Rubio and some friends were looking for killer surf while on spring break from SDSU when they encountered their first fish taco. Upon graduating with a Liberal Studies degree, Ralph initially worked for a number of other restaurants. He then pursued his dream of creating his own fish taco and opened Rubio's, which now has more than 170 restaurants nationwide.
Jim Sinegal
Costco
SDSU '59
Jim Sinegal earned his BA from SDSU. He then worked his way up to Vice President in the Price Company and eventually co-founded Costco in 1983.
Always the innovator Jim made Costco the first warehouse club to include fresh food, eye-care clinics, pharmacies, and gas stations. He made Time Magazine's 2006 list of The 100 Most Influential People.
Wing Lam
Wahoo's
SDSU, '84
After graduating from SDSU in 1984, Wing and his brothers founded Wahoo's Fish Taco which is a Mexican-Brazilian-Asian restaurant found in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Texas and Australia. Categorized as a "fast-casual" restaurant, Wahoo's are easily recognizable by the thousands of surf and skate stickers all over the windows, doors and walls.
Brad Chisum
Lumedyne
SDSU, '07
Brad Chisum earned his MBA from San Diego State University in 2007. After graduating from SDSU, Brad co-founded Lumedyne, a
company that specializes in accelerometers and energy harvesting. Lumedyne's clients include Fortune 500 companies and the US Military.
Lisa Druxman
Stroller Strides
SDSU '89
Druxman earned her Master's degree at San Diego State University in psychology with an emphasis in exercise adherence and weight control. Knowing that mothers across the country are looking for ways to connect, Lisa Druxman started Stroller Strides. Stroller Strides currently has more than 200 franchises in 47 states.
Todd Durkin
FitnessQuest 10
SDSU, '96
While playing professional football in Europe, Todd suffered a serious back injury that ended his playing career but led him to earn his Master's Degree in Sports Medicine/ Biomechanics from SDSU. Todd then started FitnessQuest 10, a personal training, health and wellness center in San Diego and has since been named one of the top 100 trainers in the United States. He currently trains Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Scripps Ranch moms.
Zeynep Ilgaz
Confirm BioScience
SDSU '00
Zeynep Ilgaz moved to San Diego from her native Turkey in 1998 and five years later after earning her M.B.A. from SDSU she started Confirm BioScience, a home test kit distribution company with her husband, Serhat Pala. Zeynap is a one of eight College of Business Administration alumni to win the Lamden Rising Star Award at SDSU.
Jamie Mautz
Pacific Ink
SDSU'00
About to earn her MBA from SDSU in 2000, Jamie Mautz decided to follow her instinct and start an online printer ink retailer with her husband and brother and named it Pacific Ink. Pacific Ink's revenue is now well into the seven figures and Jamie is giving back to SDSU by giving talks about her successes and failures.
Carl Pettersen
H2Oaudio
SDSU '01
Carl started his career in Mechanical Engineering after his graduation from
SDSU in 1993. After seven years as a Mechanical Engineer, he came back to school and
earned his MBA from SDSU. Pettersen then co-founded H2O Audio and took responsibility for the Product Development and Marketing of its' line of waterproof housings and
headphones for all mp3 players.
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What do we do @ ES?
The Entrepreneur Society at SDSU is not just for students who may have already created companies. It's for students who approach life with a passion, who wonder at what they will accomplish in their life.
It is for students who have a drive to pursue their passions. In the ES, you will meet other students, local business leaders, alumni and build your network,your knowledge and hopefully, your dreams.
"Renegade motion creates extraordinary results. Never settle and push hard."
Thom McElroy, SDSU, PFSA, 85
Co-Founder, Volcom
Featured Reading
A Whole New Mind
By Daniel H. Pink
"Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future"