Anthony Alexander to Share Expertise as Executive-in-Residence

When fall semester gets under way, Anthony Alexander, former president and CEO of FirstEnergy Corp., will begin to serve as executive-in-residence at The University of Akron College of Business Administration. In this role, approved by the Board of Trustees at its Aug. 12 meeting, the UA alumnus will work with students on business communication skills through a variety of activities.

“We are pleased to have an executive of Tony’s caliber join us at the College of Business Administration,” says Dean Ravi Krovi. “While Tony could address any number of business topics, he has chosen to support our efforts in communications. He is a noted business communicator who brings a remarkable variety of experiences to help students understand how to improve their own skills.

Skilled business communicator

“Tony has presented complex material to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, industry analysts, shareholders and employees, among other groups,” adds Krovi. “There is nothing more important than learning how to communicate clearly, concisely and appropriately, which aligns well with the college’s mission of providing an excellent business education with a real-world perspective.”

Alexander received a B.S. in Accounting and a law degree at UA. He completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Business, and the Reactor Technology Course for Utility Executives at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Already an advisory trustee to The University of Akron Board of Trustees, Alexander is a recipient of UA’s Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award. He was a Goodyear Executive Leadership Forum keynote speaker, and a Beta Gamma Sigma Induction and Awards Ceremony speaker. Alexander has been a member of the President's Advancement Council of the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron and served on its board of directors. He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of Akron Tomorrow and Team NEO.  

Range of expertise

The College of Business Administration has three other executives-in-residence who work with students in a variety of ways:

• Steve Myers, former chief executive officer and president of Myers Industries Inc., offers insights as students analyze cases in the Strategy Capstone class.

• Andy Platt, vice president of enterprise analytics and insights at The J.M. Smucker Company, coordinates a series of forums to help honors students understand innovative practices of local organizations.

• Sandy Pianalto, former president and chief executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and the FirstMerit Chair in Banking, mentors female MBA students as part of a women’s leadership book club.