On one of his recent trips to San Diego, SAIC’s new CEO Walt Havenstein dropped in at Cave Street to meet me and to discuss his plans for the company (photos below). I found that many of his thoughts about management were similar to my own — that employees should have a say in the management of the company. This was encouraging to me.
I offered to help him wherever I could, if he chooses to access that resource. I’m beginning to feel that the employees of SAIC are in good hands in these troubled times.
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Last weekend I attended the Ernst & Young U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year ceremonies at the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa. One of my remaining impressions of the event was of the venue — the Marriott is really spread out. I’m certain I walked at least a mile each day to attend the different events, which was good for my cardiovascular system.
One more impression: Jay Leno was a wonderful master of ceremonies for the main event. He has the world’s best sense of humor. When Ernest Rady got up to accept his award, he said into the microphone, “Oh, my goodness me — I never expected this.” To that, Jay said, “Look Ernest, you’re going to need to clean up your language — we don’t allow the use of strong language at this meeting!”
The national Entrepreneur of the Year award winners represented 10 different categories:
- Overall winner: Tom Adams – President, CEO, Rosetta Stone
- Distribution and Manufacturing: Ken Solinsky – President, Insight Technology Incorporated
- Emerging: Dallin Larsen – Chairman, President, Founder, MonaVie
- Energy, Chemicals and Mining: M. Jay Allison – CEO, President, Comstock Resources, Inc.
- Financial Services: Ernest Rady – Chairman, Insurance Company of the West
- Health Sciences: Bruce L. Downey – Former Chairman, CEO, Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Media, Entertainment and Communications: Timothy J. Leiweke – President, CEO, AEG
- Real Estate, Hospitality and Construction: Lee R. Anderson, Sr. – Chairman, APi Group, Inc.
- Services: Robert Klein – CEO, Safeguard Properties
- Technology: Paul Sagan – President, CEO, Akamai Technologies, Inc.
I finished my trip with a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which took me far up the slopes of Mt. San Jacinto. The upper station is at about 8,500 feet in altitude. The view was inspiring.
