November 4, 2020
Learn how Amy Gile went from in front of the camera to behind the scenes to provide the computing power entertainers, production artists and visual effects makers need.
February 5, 2020
Learn how Albertsons LLC grew from a regional chain with $4 billion in annual sales to the second-largest nationwide traditional grocery chain and the third-largest private company in the United States with more than $63 billion in annual sales.
November 18, 2019
Learn how successful entrepreneur Cord Christensen disrupted the animal health and wellness industry and created a company with a billion dollars in sales. He gives excellent business and personal advice, too. Have a listen.
February 6, 2019
Read Eileen Langan Barber’s and Brad Wiskirchen’s bios here.
Tuesday, November 13, 218 marked the inaugural lecture of the College of Business and Economics’ new Entrepreneur Connect Speaker Series. A standing-room-only crowd welcomed Micron co-founders Ward and Joe Parkinson to Skaggs Hall in the aptly named Micron Business and Economics building. The twin brothers took turns recounting the early days of founding one of Boise’s biggest success stories. Ward, the engineer of the duo, had never before spoken publicly about the company making it truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students, faculty and community members in attendance. There were lots of laughs and lessons as the duo shared experiences. They talked of the ups and down — times they nearly lost the company and times when they worked with a team of Boise’s best to keep things going.
Many from Micron came to hear the lecture and Ward and Joe called out the names of several as stories of Micron’s early days involved them. COBE entrepreneurship faculty Jeff Sugheir and Timothy Dunne kicked off the question and answer period and several student questions followed. After the lecture in the Executive Education Classroom, a small group of MBA students was treated to the unique opportunity of having their questions answered by Ward and Joe.
Joe and Ward Parkinson and the first working DRAM chip
Groundbreaking for the Micron building in 1984
Joe Parkinson, Tom Nicholas (early investor) and Ward Parkinson at the Stagecoach Restaurant 1983
Micron Technology campus 2012
