FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 1, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel Finney, (515) 271-2833, daniel.finney@drake.edu

RETIRED DIAL CORP. CEO TO SPEAK AT DRAKE

Herb Baum, a 1958 graduate of the Drake University College of Business & Public Administration, will discuss his book “The Transparent Leader: How to Build a Great Company Through Straight Talk, Openness and Accountability.” His talk is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8, in Bulldog Theater, in the Olmsted Center, 2875 University Ave.

Baum’s talk is part of a new Executive in Residence Program created by the College of Business and Public Administration and the School of Journalism and Mass to bring professionals into the classroom to share stories and case studies from their career.

Baum recently retired as CEO of Dial Corporation and is now the executive chairman for Action Performance Companies. He is a director on the Board of Directors of PepsiAmericas, Meredith Corporation, America West Airlines, Playtex Products Inc. and Action Performance Companies.

Joining Dial in 2000, Baum is credited as the driving force behind the turnaround of the business. He was also responsible for the sale of Henkel that preserved Dial’s Scottsdale headquarters, manufacturing locations and employee base.

The program is designed to expose students to real world situations in the workplace. Participants are chosen from the fields of business and journalism/mass communications. In addition to delivering a large lecture to the general campus community related to their experiences, the executive in residence spend at least one day on campus visiting classes and meeting with student groups, faculty and alumni.

The next lecturer will be Don Peschke, a 1969 CBPA alumnus and the owner and founder of August Home Publishing.

All lectures will be held at 7 p.m. in Bulldog Theater in Olmsted Center.

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