New executive in residence excels in creative advertising

By KATHERINE ERWIN

The College of Business announced Daniel Wolfe, a University of Mary Washington alum from the class of 1984, as the newest Executive-in-Residence for the 2014-2015 school year the past week.

Wolfe will visit with students, staff, faculty and community leaders on Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, Oct. 16. Planned events include an alumni student discussion, an invitation-only Executive-in-Residence business breakfast and a number of open presentations and discussions during the two-day event.

Wolfe currently serves as the executive vice president for Worldwide Creative Operations at NBC Universal, overseeing 100 employees who work to provide post-production support and marketing for feature films.

“[Wolfe] is one of our most high profile alums. Most people like movies, TV, etcetera, and he’s in charge of the creative operations for many of these ventures, which provides for some great advice and experience,” Lynne Richardson, dean of the College of Business, said.

Upon graduating from UMW with a B.S. in business administration and marketing, Wolfe began a successful career in creative advertising. His first position with Orion Pictures included working on marketing campaigns for the Academy Award winning films “Silence of the Lambs” and “Dances with Wolves.”

He later moved to New Line Cinema as a manager before joining Universal in 1990. His resume includes marketing campaigns for 15 Best Picture-nominated films, four of which won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Wolfe’s department works to optimize and implement a broad marketing strategy that includes radio publicity, theatrical trailers, television commercials, print advertising and home entertainment distribution.

Wolfe was honored with the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007 Distinguished Graduate-in-Residence, a position on the College of Business Advisory Board and a distinguished speaker at graduation commencement 2010.

“I hope [Wolfe] shows students that you can graduate from UMW and go wherever you want. The sky is the limit, and you can do anything out of here,” Richardson said.

This year marks the 25th year of the College of Business’ flagship Executive-in-Residence program. The program seeks to provide UMW students with the opportunity to engage with successful business leaders and executives, along with enhancing students’ knowledge of the free enterprise system.

Established in 1989, along with working to create connections between students and successful alumni, the program aims to encourage the involvement of community leaders with the university.

“[The program] shows that getting a degree from this school can help you accomplish big things in life,” Tiffany Osuanah, junior business administration major said. “As a business major, it gives me examples and ideas of what I can do when I graduate.”

The Executive-in-Residence program was officially inaugurated in 2010 with the creation of the College of Business. Coordination of the speakers and events is conducted through the College of Business, the Division of Advancement and University Relations.

“The Executive-in-Residence program showcases the department, puts us front and center,” Richardson said. “It shows students that you can achieve big dreams and goals with a degree from this specific school, and gives alumni goals to strive and be recognized by the school.”