Keynote Addresses Highlight Entrepreneurial and Academic Perspectives for TBED

Attendees at SSTI's 11th annual conference will be fortunate to participate in plenary sessions led off by keynote addresses highlighting two of the most critical elements of TBED — successful entrepreneurship and engaged institutions of higher learning. 



Our opening plenary session provides the opportunity to hear from Kevin Plank, chairman and chief executive officer of Under Armour Inc. Call it an enterprising hunch, a brilliant brainstorm or a stroke of pure genius, Mr. Plank started Under Armour in 1995, when he was special teams captain for the University of Maryland football team. Tired of repeatedly changing the cotton T-shirt under his jersey as it became wet and heavy during the course of a game, he set out to develop a next-generation shirt that would remain drier and lighter and consistently perform under the most extreme conditions. A few tireless years later, Mr. Plank oversaw the company's November 2005 IPO, the first to double on opening day in five years, and the December 2006 move from the NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange. In 2006, he was the distinguished recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year national award in the Retail and Consumer Products Category. An inspiring speaker, Mr. Plank will provide the perfect opening to why TBED is practiced in every area of the country.



Our second keynote speaker is also a special honor for SSTI. Dr. William E. "Brit" Kirwan is chancellor of the University System of Maryland and a nationally recognized authority on critical issues shaping the higher education landscape. Universities provide the foundation of the most TBED and innovation-based strategies to encourage growth, and nearly every academic institution in the nation is being challenged to adapt to the forces of global competitiveness and fiscal realities. Dr. Kirwan is a much sought-after speaker on a wide range of topics, including diversity, access and affordability, cost containment, accountability, economic impact, gender equity, financial aid, partnerships, and innovation. SSTI is excited to have him enlighten us with his insights during our lunch plenary session.



Full bios for each keynote speaker are provided at: http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf07/keynote.htm