Simon School Communications Blog

Dennis Kessler Awarded the Ackley Executive Professorship

Through the generosity of an esteemed alumnus, Simon was proud to recognize a new professorship this summer. On June 22, in a ceremony held at the Genesee Valley Club, Dennis Kessler was installed as the Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship.

Professor Kessler is co-owner of Kessler Restaurants L.L.C., a Rochester, N.Y.-based owner and operator of 21 Burger King and 41 Friendly's restaurants. With his expertise in entrepreneurship, Kessler is actively involved with the University of Rochester's Center for Entrepreneurship. Kessler has also been the driving force behind the http://www.web@simon.com, a fact-filled forum of information delivered by leading Western New York female entrepreneurs.

Edward J. Ackley, B.S. '53, M.S. '64 and Agnes V. Ackley, B.S. '54 are longtime benefactors of the Simon School. Mr. Ackley is former owner and president of The Filter Store in Mendon, N.Y. and a former C.E.O. of Consler Corporation, which he built in a multi-million dollar company before selling it to Graver Technologies. He was recently honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award at Simon's Commencement 2009.

 

(Pictured above from left: Simon School Dean Mark Zupan, Edward J. Ackley, Agnes V. Ackley, Dennis Kessler and University of Rochester President Joel Seligman)

Golden Horseshoe Business Challenge

Armed with their business plans, executives from U.S. and Canadian companies competed for a $100,000 top prize during the cross-border Golden Horseshoe Business Challenge on May 31, 2007, at Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport, N.Y. Aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in cities throughout Western New York and Ontario, Canada, the contest was made possible through the generous support of Simon Graduate School of Business alumnus Mark S. Ain '67, founder of Kronos Inc., and the Finger Lakes WIRED Grant from the Department of Labor.

The winning business plan was presented by Wakonda Technologies Inc., a Perinton, N.Y.-based company that is promoting the use of solar energy as an alternative to conventional electric power. Contestants in the Golden Horseshoe competition first had to place in a preliminary Rochester Regional Business Plan Competition.

Meet the Finalists (briefly: 3 mins, 30 secs)

"This is an excellent opportunity to reach out and support entrepreneurs in Western New York and Southern Ontario, and provide them with the one, true resource they need to access start-up funding," says Duncan Moore, vice provost for entrepreneurship at the University of Rochester and a member of the Golden Horseshoe organizing committee. Judges included a select group of venture capitalists.

Get More Details (8 mins)

Golisano Lecture

[Update - This video is from Tom Golisano's "free speech" at the Rochester Entrepreneurship Conference held at the Simon School on March 9, 2007]:

Video originally produced by Peritus Video Productions

Enjoy!