Jarred C. Roy
Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
Age: 39
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Family Members: Emily (spouse), Morgan & Jacey (daughters)
Undergraduate School and Degree:
- High school diploma from Trenton Senior High School, Trenton, Missouri (Valedictorian) — 1994
- Associate of Arts from North Central Missouri College, Trenton, Missouri (Cum Laude) — 1995
- Bachelor of Arts in business administration with a minor in marketing through Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa (Magna Cum Laude) — 1998
- Certified management degree through James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia — 2004
Where are you currently working? LG Electronics, USA — Sales & Marketing Director, Home Appliance division. In my role, I lead, support, and coach a multi-faceted team while partnering with Best Buy and Target corporations for product placement, promotion, productivity, and profitability. My team has honorably delivered substantial, profitable growth year-over-year.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles:
Personal:
- Member of Lake Harriet United Methodist Church
- Start-up efforts of the Compliment Club Sunday School program
- Established Fellowship Uniting Neighbors, a community outreach group
- Volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America, Dollars for Scholars, Habitat for Humanity, Open Arms of Minnesota, and Playworks International
- Launched a personal LLC hobby business while enrolled in business school
Professional:
- Developed and coached a formal mentoring program for my team
- Partnered with Playworks International to tie a philanthropic partnership between the University of Minnesota student athletes and LG employees
- Implemented and executed NCAA marketing activation with Best Buy nationally
- Led working LG sub-groups focused on pricing, promotions, and trade
- Successfully merged two business units with external trade partners
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? My proudest accomplishments achieved during school are threefold, all of which occurred due to my active enrollment in the Carlson Executive MBA program. First, being asked to speak at my daughter’s high school regarding my stated beliefs in marketing strategy and the impact it has on business. Second, being summoned by LG leadership to initiate, facilitate, and lead a networked team of employees to overhaul our LG Electronics USA pricing and promotions strategy. And third, when I was twice asked to share my insights about strategy and supply chain management with the LG Electronics USA subsidiary.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career?
I have been blessed with a tremendous career at a young age. Perhaps the most impactful period for me was in the first 10 years of my career. At 20, I ran a million-dollar business delivering stellar profitability. At 25, I was the youngest sales training manager in Maytag Corporation history. At 30, I was the youngest product marketing director in Maytag Corporation history. All within a decade after achievement of my undergrad. It was a pivotal time in my life that proved to me how important both attitude and aptitude are in being successful.
Favorite MBA Courses? Strategy and Statistics are undoubtedly my favorite courses. I have been able to successfully and immediately apply the principles shared in each of these courses into my current role.
Why did you choose this executive MBA program? I had a goal of earning my executive MBA before I was 40. I chose the Carlson School because I wanted to join an institution that would provide a strong education backed by a solid international reputation. The Carlson School of Management’s history and faculty exude both of these qualities by delivering “excellence in education.” This fantastic program earns my highest recommendation.
What did you enjoy most about business school? The accelerated learning in a peer environment has been the most enjoyable for me. The course curriculum did a nice job of blending instructor-led teaching with offline/online learning that transcended from personal application into team optimization. Individual thoughts became healthier as many ideas were discussed becoming a respected, collaborative team position.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school? Time management was the single biggest lesson I learned. While I believed I did this well going into the program, I quickly realized I was less-than-stellar at it. The business school executive application has forced me to think, do, and be much more efficient in order to manage my time accordingly. I will forever be grateful for this lesson as it will have the biggest impact on my life professionally and personally.
What was the most surprising thing about business school? Going into the program, I had a biased opinion that learning would be heavily weighted to institutional positioning. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much knowledge is drawn from the real world in order to create classroom application. As an individual, it allowed for integrating learning into applied daily execution.
What was the hardest part of business school? Managing time successfully was the hardest part of business school, as I was forced to adjust rapidly. In order to manage my personal life, growing demands at work as well as a new commitment I had made to myself and my cohort, it quickly forced me to plan more efficiently than I had ever done in my life.
“I knew I wanted to go to business school when …” I was in my early thirties. My career had been advancing nicely to that point. Respected colleagues and mentors commented that I should consider going back to school. After much consideration, I realized that doing so would provide me with two opportunities: Business school would enrich my business acumen and it would give me the opportunity to give back and share with others.
“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be …” Regretting not doing so. I had a goal to have my masters by the time I reached 40 in order to continue optimizing my career while securing my future. Personally I would have let myself down if I had not chosen to pursue this wonderful opportunity when I did!
Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? My dad has been a cornerstone of my life as a model entrepreneur. He has found ways to maximize opportunities in any situation, all while finding opportunities to maximize. His tenacity to always see beyond what others see has left a profound impression on me.
What are your long-term professional goals?
My professional goals are threefold:
- To lead a major organization is my primary goal
- To maximize my own business ventures is my secondary goal
- To give back and teach post-retirement is my tertiary goal
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My family! Without their ongoing support I would not be where I am today. Success does have sacrifices and tradeoffs, of which they have forged openly with me. Their understanding and acceptance means the world to me.
Fun fact about yourself: I have a completely restored 1976 John Deere tractor
Favorite book: Winning with People by Dr. John Maxwell
Favorite movie: Rocky
Favorite musical performer: Marty Thomas, Broadway showman
Favorite television show: “Cheers”
Favorite vacation spot: Ambergris Caye, San Pedro, Belize
Hobbies? Playing the piano, reading, biking, yard work, and anything relevant to being outside
What made Jarred such an invaluable addition to the class of 2016?
“Choosing nominees for the top executive MBA students was an easy choice this year. Having worked with the EMBA program for more than 16 years, and serving as director for six, I feel confident in saying that I know what makes a good executive MBA student. Jarred fits the bill in several ways. Academically, he is a strong contributor in the classroom and on his study team. Professionally, Jarred’s resume shows a steady climb of success at well-known and well-respected Fortune 500 companies. He currently serves as Director of National Sales and Marketing at LG Electronics.
“Academics and career success are wonderful, and he has had an impressive career. I suspect Jarred will continue to impress in this area. But beyond his resume, it’s imperative I also convey his impressive personal character: Jarred Roy embodies what an ideal EMBA student should be. He is open-minded and engaged in the program both in the classroom and out. He brings a positive energy that is contagious.
“This past fall, he led a fundraising initiative for non-profit organization Playworks, which strives to create safe places for kids to play. Their mission is to help children grow physically, emotionally, and socially. To raise awareness and funds for the organization, Jarred persuaded his classmates to spend their lunch hour outdoors on a brisk Minnesota day playing four square, double-dutch, and other playground games. They wholly jumped in and played outside, in part because they respect and support Jarred.
“He is an amazing person that I am proud to have in the program and proud to know!”
Robyn Wick
Director
Carlson Executive MBA Program
DON’T MISS: CLASS OF 2016: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST GRADUATING EMBAS
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