UCLA Anderson School of Management Dean Judy Olian has announced a $2 million gift from Jim Easton, chairman and chief executive officer of sports equipment company Jas. D. Easton Inc., to establish a technology leadership program that will focus on the specific managerial and leadership needs of students with engineering and technical backgrounds.

 

The new gift comes on the heels of Easton's 2008 gift of $2 million to build a state-of-the-art multimedia classroom at the Anderson School.

 

"Beyond his extraordinary philanthropic legacy, Jim has collaborated with our faculty to develop an important program that addresses a real void in management education for technologically focused students at UCLA Anderson," Olian said. "We're especially indebted to Jim for his vision and leadership at the school."

 

The Easton Technology Leadership Program will offer innovative elective courses and case studies that prepare M.B.A. students to succeed in diverse technical environments after graduation. The program will draw heavily upon the expertise of faculty in operations and technology management, as well as upon seasoned industry professionals who will bring their experiences into the classroom. Adjunct faculty with industry backgrounds will both teach in the program and assist in its design.

 

"In my experience in my company's design and manufacturing of high-performance sports equipment, I have seen a need for leaders in our research, development, engineering and manufacturing areas who not only possess a knowledge in sports equipment function and an ability to create innovative products but who also possess strong skills in team management, communication and negotiation," Easton said. "I'm confident that UCLA Anderson offers the best combination of outstanding faculty and students for this unique and comprehensive program to be a success."

 

"Mr. Easton's exceptional gift to create the Easton Technology Leadership Program enables the faculty in Decisions, Operations and Technology Management (DOTM), together with others at UCLA Anderson, to delve further into the study of leadership and entrepreneurship in engineering, manufacturing and technology companies," said Charles Corbett, area chair for DOTM and a UCLA Anderson professor who holds the Joseph J. Jacobs Term Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies. "We are deeply grateful for his commitment to the school — a gift that is even more valuable in these difficult financial times."

 

Easton received his bachelor's degree in engineering from UCLA in 1959. He has been a member of UCLA Anderson's board of visitors since 1988 and a generous philanthropist to both the school and the university. In recognition of his generosity, he was named one of the founding members of Entrepreneur's Hall at UCLA Anderson in 2005.

 

The Jas. D. Easton Inc. subsidiary Easton Sports was merged with the Riddell, Bell and Giro companies under the Easton–Bell Sports Inc. name and ownership in 2006. The combined companies are the industry leaders in their respective core products — Easton baseball and softball bats, ice-hockey sticks, and cycling components; Riddell football helmets; and Bell and Giro ski and cycling helmets. Jas D. Easton Inc. is the world's largest archery company and owns three major companies in the archery market: Easton Technical Products (arrows, snowshoes and structural frame tubing for mountaineering tents), Hoyt Archery (recurve and compound bows) and Delta Sports (targets).

 

The UCLA Anderson School of Management, established in 1935, is regarded among the leading business schools in the world. UCLA Anderson faculty members are advancing management thinking through innovative research and teaching. Each year, UCLA Anderson provides management education to more than 1,700 students enrolled in M.B.A., executive M.B.A., fully-employed M.B.A. and doctoral programs, and to more than 2,000 professional managers through executive education programs. Combining highly selective admissions, varied and innovative learning programs, and a worldwide network of 36,000 alumni, UCLA Anderson prepares global leaders.