Business and health care will take center stage when three key leaders speak at the Sixth Annual Business Symposium on Tuesday, March 25. The symposium, hosted by the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Halpin-Harrison Hall on the campus of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va.
Peter Schutz, former president and CEO of Porsche Automotive Group and author of the book “The Driving Force;” Mark Merrill, President and CEO of Valley Health; and Knox Singleton, CEO of Inova, will be featured as keynote speakers and will share their knowledge and advice with conference attendees.
Schutz served as CEO of Porsche A.G., the automobile company in Stuttgart, Germany, from January 1981 until January 1988. During his tenure, Porsche worldwide sales grew from from 28,000 units in 1980-81 to a peak of 53,000 units in 1986. Revenues grew from 850 million to 3.7 billion (Deutsche Mark), and profits after tax grew from 12 million to more than 125 million (Deutsche Mark). Schutz is the author of, “The Driving Force: Extraordinary Results from Ordinary People,” and is a motivational speaker and co-founder of Harris and Schutz Inc., with his wife Sheila Harris-Schutz.
Merrill has served as president and CEO of Valley Health System since June 2009. Valley Health is a nonprofit health care organization operating six hospitals and multiple diagnostic and ambulatory care centers in the northern Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia and West Virginia, providing services to a population base of nearly one million residents in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.
In 2011 and beginning January 1, 2014, Merrill was elected as an American Hospital Association member for its Regional Policy Board 3, serving as a delegate for the Section for Metropolitan Hospitals. The Section is a forum for suburban and urban hospitals to discuss common interests and concerns and to participate in the AHA policy process.
Singleton is CEO of Inova Health System, one of the nation’s most integrated and most wired health care delivery systems, and one of the largest in the metropolitan Washington region. Through his leadership over the past 25 years, Inova Health System has pursued its not-for-profit mission of providing world-class health care to a diverse Northern Virginia community, regardless of ability to pay.
During his tenure, Singleton has led Inova through a period of significant growth and expansion that continues today. Inova now comprises hospitals, nursing homes, emergency-care centers, urgent-care centers, assisted-living communities, a home health agency, community health and wellness programs and various community clinics.
In addition to this year’s keynote speakers, the symposium will feature 12 breakout sessions, exhibits and networking opportunities. Visit www.subusiness.org for more information, pricing and to register. Thanks to generous sponsorships, all high school and college students wishing to attend the Business Symposium may do so free of charge. Registration questions should be directed to Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business Administrative Assistant Donna Fazio at 540/665-4572 or dfazio@su.edu.
