UO Business E-News 2009

Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship Names New Chief

UO Center will benefit from director's industry and international experience.

Terry E. Sebastian was named managing director of the University of Oregon's Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship at the Lundquist College of Business. He assumed his new role on August 3, 2009.

A successful principal investor and senior executive in the food industry, Sebastian is a founder and managing director of Lake Pacific Partners LLC, a private equity investment firm focusing on consumer products, consumer services, and related industries. He brings his considerable entrepreneurial skills to bear as the director of the center, which, since 1989, has educated, inspired, and empowered future entrepreneurs.

"Terry has led successful business turnarounds and growth investments, making him an ideal resource for our center, which seeks to instill in its students the ability to inform and evaluate their business ideas with real-world perspective," said Dennis Howard, dean of the Lundquist College of Business. "I have no doubt he will further the center's reputation as a leader in entrepreneurial education."

Sebastian previously served as senior vice president of Natural Nutrition Group, a leading manufacturer of branded organic food products, where he led a successful operational turnaround of the Health Valley Company. He also served as an executive with McCain Foods, where he implemented key strategy initiatives and major performance improvements. As a management consultant with the firm of Booz, Allen & Hamilton, he worked on corporate strategy, reorganization, and cost-reduction engagements for Fortune 500 clients in several industries.

Sebastian said he understands the needs of the center's constituents, including students, faculty, employers, and industry partners.

"I am very excited about this unique opportunity to bring my ongoing business experience to the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship as a resource to build upon its highly regarded experiential-learning programs," noted Sebastian.

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