|
|
|
|
 |
|
ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXPANDS PROGRAM WITH FORMER CEO |
|
|
|
|
February 06, 2012
GROVE CITY, Pa. – The Grove City College Department of Entrepreneurship continues to expand its program by adding a second entrepreneur-in-residence, former chairman and CEO of Tollgrade Communications, Inc., Chris Allison. In his role, Allison will coach and mentor students, research, conduct focus groups and guest lecture, as well as assist with placement, internships and professional development.
In 1988, Allison co-founded Tollgrade Communications, a leading provider of hardware and software network assurance testing solutions for the telecommunications and cable broadband industries.
At the company, he served as chief executive officer, chairman and CEO and later retired in 2005. Allison is responsible for raising $6 million in start-up capital and growing the company’s sales from zero in 1988 to $114 million in 2000, as well as helping complete two successful mergers and acquisition transactions.
Allison has earned more than 20 business and writing awards, including the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005 and the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association 2002 Entrepreneur of the Year. His efforts also helped Tollgrade Communications receive Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s No.1 ranking in its Top 50 Public Companies of 2000.
Currently, Allison serves on the board of trustees and as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Allegheny College. He is columnist of “You’ll Manage” for Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine and contributor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial page. Allison is also a member of the board of directors for the Timesys Corporation.
Allison will join James P. Van Eerden ’85, co-founder and managing director of The Helixx Group, who continues to serve as an entrepreneur-in-residence since joining the College’s Department of Entrepreneurship in spring 2011.
“We are honored to have Chris [Allison] join our program. He embodies the notion of success with honor – values which we strive very hard to promote,” said Dr. Craig Columbus, department chair and executive director of The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Grove City College.
| |
|
|
|
|
Print Page
