Some top MBA students in the College of Business are on their way to
the International Case Competition, after taking first place at the
second annual Case Study Competition in Buena Park, California this
month.
The
competition, sponsored by the Southwest District of APICS (The
Association for Operations Management), consisted of nine teams from
seven universities all over the country. Two UNLV teams competed in the
competition, led by Keah-Choon Tan, professor in the Management
Department, and funded by the Southern Nevada Chapter of APICS. The
team consisting of Shaena Friedman, Cole Shinn, Joe Pignatiello, Nate
Curtis, and Denis Khantimirov was awarded first prize. They will
advance to the 2008 International Case Competition in September.
"Participating
for the first time in this case study competition, our students did a
phenomenal job of winning the competition," said Professor Keah-Choon
Tan. "Their analysis and presentation of the case study were absolutely
outstanding. We look forward to participating in the international
APICS case study competition in Kansas City."
"I am so pleased
with our success at this competition," said Joe Pignatiello, an MBA
student on the winning team. "I feel we represented the UNLV name very
well by demonstrating our analytical writing and presentation skills.
This is an important step in gaining national exposure for the MBA
program, and I look forward to competing at the international level
where the competition will be fierce."
APICS is the
international educational organization that builds operations
management excellence in individuals and enterprises through superior
education and training, internationally recognized certifications
comprehensive resources and a worldwide network of accomplished
industry professionals.
Participants in the competition are
provided a case study of a company faced with specific operations
management problems. The teams are then asked to develop solutions to
be presented in written form as well as an oral presentation.
"In
the real world of operations management, if you dont make your case to
the CEO, CFO and upper management staff in the first few minutes of
your pitch, you are not likely to get your program approved, "said
Barry E. Soloman, director of student development for APICS Southwest
District. "This competition is a test of that work environment."
The
first place team is looking forward to presenting at the 2008
International Case Competition in Kansas City, Missouri in September.
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