Two alumnus, brothers to speak about their business

By Elliot Novess
Western Herald

Two Western Michigan University graduates will speak at the Haworth College of Business this Thursday to talk about what it has been like to work in a business – as a family.

Thomas and Robert Trainor Jr. ‘s lecture “Entrepreneurship in a Global Economy: A Family Experience” will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11 in Schneider Hall’s Brown Auditorium.

“The added global component of the talk cannot be overstated,” Valorie J. Juergens, Haworth College of Business Coordinator of Communications, said. “We are living in a global economy that requires an understanding of cultures and expertise in operating global business.”

Robert graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration from WMU. Thomas earned his Bachelors of Business Administration in 1984. The two are both members of the WMU Presidents Circle.

Both Robert and Thomas work in the families business, Trainor Glass, founded by father Robert Trainor Sr. in 1953. The family business opened in Chicago. Today Trainor Glass has locations across America and employees over 600 people.

Robert Jr. has been the chief executive officer since 1995. Thomas was named company president in 2008.

The Haworth Business College began the distinguished lecture series in 1995. Speakers are chosen by their ability to serve as a roll model to business students and are leaders of a large corporation or an entrepreneur. Notable speakers from the past include Dick DeVoss, Edsel Ford II and Hank Meijer.

“By providing speakers such as the Trainor Brothers to come and talk about their own entrepreneurial experiences,” Juergens said. “Our students learn of
how others have achieved success.”

A question and answer period will follow the lecture. A reception to honor Robert and Thomas will be held after the lecture.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Mar 8 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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