Vanderbilt CEO Steve Distante has been selected to participate in St. John’s University’s 2015 – 2016 Business Plan Competition and Expo as an Executive Judge. The competition, underwritten by James and Eileen Christmas and co-hosted by the Peter J. Tobin College of Business and the Office of Alumni Relations, attracts over 100 hopeful students each year.
Executive Judges are successful Executives that were once St. John’s students. Each judge evaluates 27 business plans and chooses the top 5 as semi finalists in February. On March 19th, live judging of the 5 finalists will be held in front of an audience and the Executive Judges.
Those who did not make it to the finals are welcomed to give tabletop presentations in the exhibition where attendees made up of faculty, staff, students, and alumni can “invest” in their favorite tabletop presentation and the three most invested in will receive cash prizes.
The goal of the Business Plan Competition and Expo is to provide St. John’s students with experience by granting them the unique experience of a mock business setting to pitch an idea and gain valuable feedback from experienced and successful executives who were once in their position.
As someone who is always learning and curious, Steve loves to be in the presence of college students. As a SJU alumnus, Steve is honored to be involved in this program and proud of the strong business program St. John’s has to offer.
