TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida A&M University (FAMU) placed third as The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) announced the winners of its 2008 ELC Business Case Competition—“The Jiffy Lube Offering.” Sponsored by Shell Oil Company, the events and the finals took place at Shell Headquarters in Houston, TX. This year’s competition challenged students to develop innovative solutions to help Shell Oil satisfy the needs of Jiffy Lube franchises.
“The SBI [School of Business and Industry] community takes great pride in the significant accomplishment of this highly motivated MBA student team,” said Colin Benjamin, advisor to the team of students, Eminent Scholar and professor of engineering management. “Despite their already busy schedules, the students all invested considerable time and effort in developing a comprehensive written analysis of the case provided by Shell, progressing to the finals, and in preparing for the Oral presentation.”
The FAMU team members were Logii Dekhara Pinion and Deliena Stone. Pinion, who was the team captain, is a 23-year-old MBA student majoring in business administration. Originally from Marietta, Ga., she is finishing a five-year BBA-MBA program. Stone is a 24-year-old MBA student majoring in business administration. Originally from Miami, Fla., she is finishing a five-year BBA-MBA program. The team will receive a $5,000 cash award.
“Going into the competition, we were the youngest and smallest team, which was intimidating,” said Pinion. “But everyone helped to make us feel comfortable. It was a great opportunity, and I’m glad I got to experience it.”
Pinion’s teammate said that although they placed third they still consider themselves the big winners.
“Considering that we only had two people on our team, I think we did a great job successfully meeting the criteria,” Stone said. “Third is just that, a placing. It doesn’t mean that we weren’t winners. The fact that the Shell executives were impressed by our written submission made us winners already.”
Individual African-American students or teams of up to five, the majority of whom must be African-American, from 35 selected schools nationwide were invited to compete. Finalists were invited to make presentations before John Hofmeister, president of Shell Oil Company, Carl Brooks, president & CEO of The Executive Leadership Council, a panel of distinguished judges and a corporate audience.
“The Executive Leadership Council is delighted to have Shell Oil sponsor this wonderful educational opportunity to analyze a business,” said Brooks. “The competition supports ELC’s mission of preparing the next generation of African-American corporate executives as well as to highlight the achievements of outstanding African-American leaders in business.”
Hofmeister of Shell Oil Company was proud to facilitate such a competition where diversity is stressed.
“Shell is pleased to support the Executive Leadership Council's 2008 Business Case Competition,” said Hofmeister. "As diversity is critical to our business, we seek to work with proven organizations such as the Executive Leadership Council to identify future minority leaders to become a part of Shell, helping to bring energy security to the US and beyond.”
About the Executive Leadership Council
Founded in 1986, The Executive Leadership Council is the nation’s premier leadership organization of the most senior African-American corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies. Working from the classroom to the corporate boardroom, its mission is to develop the pipeline of African-American senior corporate leaders.
About Shell Oil Company
Shell Oil Company, including its consolidated companies and its share in equity companies, is one of America's leading oil and natural gas producers, natural gas marketers, gasoline marketers and petrochemical manufacturers. Shell, a leading oil and gas producer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, is a recognized pioneer in oil and gas exploration and production technology. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Shell Group, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, employing approximately 108,000 people and operating in more than 130 countries and territories.
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