Chaminade University of Honolulu

Business & Communication

MBA Alum Adam Hoffman ‘09 Finds Balance Between Robotics Technology, Consciousness

Chaminade University graduate Adam Hoffman (BS Accounting ‘07, MBA ‘09) doesn’t worry about machines and artificial intelligence subjugating the human race. He’s convinced that as robots and automation become more sophisticated and commonplace, they’ll make our lives better – if we focus on the right things.

Adam Hoffman, MBA '09

Hoffman and his team work with PartnerX Robotics, a manufacturing company in Shanghai, China. PartnerX created buzz at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas by introducing a new line of robots focused on early childhood education and retail markets. These products enable students to build and program robots using easy-to-assemble components.

In his role as Director of Platform Architect, Hoffman identifies new technologies and develops strategic partnerships from his home in Austin, Texas.

“Our mission is to demystify robotics,” Hoffman explained, so parents “have confidence in their child’s ability to adapt to the technology. Our purpose is to make as many people comfortable with the transition as we possibly can.”

Working with PartnerX was a big move for Hoffman, but his Chaminade MBA and a five-week trip to China with the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program gave him the confidence to pursue an international career.

“We are living in a very special time,” Hoffman said. “Exponential growth in hardware, software and connectivity are changing how information and data are being shared.” And these amazing technological advances, he said, are producing “a rise in consciousness.”

“We are becoming more aware, we are moving into our heart space,” Hoffman said. “I believe it is important to live in the present moment and be in alignment with your heart and mind. It is important to feel good!”

Looking back at his college days, Hoffman noted that he won a scholarship to Chaminade while attending Archbishop Riordan High School, a Marianist institution in San Francisco. Chaminade’s intimate atmosphere was a selling point.

“The connection you get with your Chaminade professors in small class settings is truly priceless,” Hoffman said. “From that experience, these are not only my professors and mentors, but my good friends I still stay in contact with.”

Hoffman’s career advice for future graduates? Don’t be afraid of failure.

“Get yourself outside of your comfort zones, be willing to put yourself on the line,” he counseled. “It’s OK not to have all the answers, but just keep pushing, keep innovating, keep evolving.

“We are entering a very interesting space,” he pointed out. “Never settle.”

Hogan Students Learn About Overcoming Fear, Soft Skills and Leadership

It was an honor to hear from Col. Ray L’Heureux, author of Inside Marine One: Four U.S. Presidents, One Proud Marine, and the World’s Most Amazing Helicopter and former Commander of Marine One. He opened his presentation with a video that shows the daily life of a marine pilot. He then spoke about the importance of overcoming your fear, having soft skills, leadership, and discipline.

Antonio Bonnetty andith Col. Ray L’Heureux1. Overcome your fear—it is okay to fail. Keep aiming high and eventually, you are going to hit.

2. Practice soft skills—hone your beak-to-beak skills and take advantage of the networking opportunities. Col. L’Heureux added that when applying for a job, do not rely heavily on the electronic piece such as your resume. Instead, focus more on the face to face aspect; the interview. How you present yourself and interact is what will get you hired.

3. Leadership and discipline—a great leader is someone who can get people to do what they do not want to do. Encourage teamwork and have good values. You must be able to figure out how to do things. If you are given a mission, get your requirements and find the re-sources to accomplish the mission.

Col. L’Heureux ended his presentation with a story of his mountain bike adventure with former President Bush. His “never say no” demeanor flourished into something one of a kind—a longtime friendship with the former President.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Antonio Bonnetty
Speaker Session with Col. Ray L’Heureux 9/20/17

Moral Code is Part of Running a Successful Business

Gary Hogan, Matt Southard, and Tom Bell
Gary Hogan, Matt Southard and Tom Bell

It was a pleasure to hear from Mr. Gary Hogan, CEO and President of Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts and Royal Pacific Air, and Mr. Tom Bell, President of Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts. Both speakers, equipped with a wealth of information and knowledge of how to run a successful company, reflected on their moral code.

Mr. Hogan began the session with a history and overview of their family’s first business—Pleasant Travel Service. He shared photos of their early sales and marketing campaigns. He also spoke about their mission: “give back to society through education and community-minded programs” such as the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program.

Mr. Bell spoke about the branches of Hawaiian Hotels & Resorts—Royal Lahaina, Royal Kona, Kauai Shores, KOI Kaanapali Ocean, and Lahaina Inn. One of the things that stood out to me was Mr. Bell’s commitment to “value.” He said to always aim for positive value. To get this, experience must always exceed expectations. We must apply this to business and in our daily lives as entrepreneurs. According to Warren Buffett, “price is what you pay, and value is what you get.”

At the end of the evening, Mr. Hogan and Mr. Bell left us with four entrepreneurship insights:

1. Have a vision
2. Stay nimble
3. Give back
4. Prepare to fail

Mr. Hogan and Mr. Bell reminded us all that success in business here in Hawaii is possible. The story of the Hogan family is motivating and one you can learn from to make your company run to the best of its abilities.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Matt Southard
Speaker Session with Gary Hogan and Tom Bell 9/13/17

Students Gain Real-World Experience – and Empathy – Working on Cultural Center Project in Philippines

By helping design the layout and plan the budget for a cultural center in the Philippines, Chaminade University students acquired real-world experience benefiting their future careers while learning about the Filipino culture.

Leading this excursion to the island of Negros were Associate Professor Elizabeth Lockard, M.Arch, Ph.D. of Chaminade’s Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) program, and Assistant Professor of Accounting Aaron M. Williamson, Jr. from the School of Business and Communication.

Also assisting was Dr. Frederique Kandel, a biology lecturer with the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Dr. Kandel advised students on ocean-related issues impacting design considerations for the eco-friendly structure.

The construction project is the Pantawan Arts & Learning Center, which will facilitate cultural exchanges among local and international artists, educators, tourists and residents. The four-story building in the City of Bais will also provide creative and educational workshops for underprivileged Filipino students.

Design considerations included:
– Sensitivity to local culture and customs;
– Adherence to international building standards;
– Security precautions;
– Flexible spaces to accommodate numerous activities; and
– Natural ventilation to counter the tropical heat.

Spearheading the construction effort is Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo, a commissioner with the Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and Arts, along with her husband Curtis. Inspired by the foundation’s collaboration with public schools on Hawaii’s Art in Public Places – Artists in Residence initiative, the couple decided to introduce a similar program on Eva’s home island of Negros.

Reflecting on this educational and humanitarian outreach to the Philippines, Dr. Lockard said the trip was “transformative” for her Chaminade students. Not only did the undergraduates tackle advanced design challenges, she said they “developed a deeper cultural empathy through this process and learned to see the world differently.”

“The most authentic learning comes from working on a live project, and so this in itself has been an invaluable experience for the students,” Dr. Lockard said. “But also to provide a center for arts and learning that will serve a community in need shows how design can substantively contribute to quality of life and the betterment of society.”

According to E+ID student Gerlie Valdez, the most difficult aspect of the project was designing the building and interiors so they’re “sensitive and appropriate for the client and the location.”

“This is the first time we’ve ever done an international project,” she pointed out, “and the challenge is to be able to obtain a good knowledge of the people’s culture and their way of life and to integrate it in how they use spaces.”  

Valdez added that her biggest takeaway from the excursion was “doing something honorable and giving back to my native country as a real designer.”

“It was incredibly humbling to be able to see the site, meet with architects, furniture manufacturers, designers and the local people of the community overall,” Valdez said. “With that, I gained a lot of confidence and knowledge in helping me move forward with the project.”

E+ID student Petrice Goto said the trip “changed me as a person.”

“I experienced people living in the provinces that had little to no money, but they were happy with the little they had,” Goto said. “I have begun to not take things for granted and to appreciate everything I have.”

Chaminade University offers the only accredited, degree-granting Environmental + Interior Design program (E+ID) in Hawaii. Since its accreditation in 2013, the employment rate for graduates seeking a full-time, entry-level position in an interior design or architectural firm is more than 80 percent and has been increasing every year. The  E+ID program extends beyond the traditional scope of interior design to encompass the broader aspects of the environment into the design process. 

Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication offers a Master of Business Administration degree along with undergraduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Communication, International Trade and Computer Information Systems. Undergraduate degree programs in Business Administration and Management are also available through PACE (Professional and Continuing Education) online and evening courses.

Accounting program validated by International Accreditation Council for Business Education

Following a rigorous self-evaluation process and independent peer review, Chaminade University’s Accounting program gained accreditation from a professional agency promoting excellence in business education worldwide.

In validating the program, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) recognized Chaminade’s commitment to academic quality, integrity, responsibility and ethical behavior in its accounting programs and operations.

Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, IACBE has accredited more than 1,300 business and business-related programs in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Central America, and South America

Instrumental in earning the council’s stamp of approval was Richard Kido, an Associate Professor of Accounting with the School of Business and Communication. Kido joined professors from numerous other universities in creating standards and criteria for accounting accreditation over a two-year period ending in 2016.

Kido later wrote a self-assessment report of Chaminade’s accounting program then helped facilitate a site visit by IACBE representatives so they could interview administrators, faculty, students and alumni. Employers were also interviewed to determine if Chaminade graduates were adequately prepared for their accounting jobs.

Based on feedback from students and alumni who praised Kido’s instruction methods and dedication to service learning, IACBE presented him with the 2017 “Excellence in Teaching Award” in April at the organization’s annual conference and assembly meeting in San Francisco.

Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication offers a Master of Business Administration degree along with undergraduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Communication, International Trade and Computer Information Systems. Undergraduate degree programs in Business Administration and Management are also available through PACE (Professional and Continuing Education) online and evening courses.

Alum McDonald Embraces ‘Think Global, Act Local’ Mantra as BEARPAW’s VP of International Sales

For alumnus Kevin McDonald ‘06, one of his biggest takeaways from Chaminade University involves thinking globally and acting locally to make the world a better place. Now he applies that high-minded philosophy in his duties as vice president of international sales for the BEARPAW footwear company.

Kevin McDonald '06“Think global, act local perfectly sums up and applies to business and causes that are important to me,” says McDonald, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. “Instead of focusing outward, we have looked to help the immediate region surrounding our head office just outside of Sacramento.”

BEARPAW charitable activities include donating about 6,000 pairs of girls’ boots to the Ticket to Dream Foundation, which provides services for foster children. BEARPAW also sponsored and participated in the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event supporting WEAVE, a nonprofit group that helps victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking in Sacramento County.

And, yes, McDonald joined other men in completing WEAVE’s playful, mile-long charity walk while teetering on red, high-heeled shoes.

McDonald joined BEARPAW three years ago after receiving a phone call from company founder Tom Romeo and president John Pierce. Now that he manages all global sales outside the USA, McDonald is responsible for product selection, pricing, forecasting, marketing, presentations, customer service “and just about anything you can imagine.”

The alum gained an appreciation for international business between his junior and senior years at Chaminade when visiting China through the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program.

Kevin McDonald '06“This was my first time traveling outside of North America,” McDonald notes. “Fast forward to today, I have been to over 30 countries. Each has similarities, but being open and aware to the cultural differences has had a major impact on navigating these markets.”

Reflecting on his Chaminade education, McDonald is especially grateful for the knowledge shared by Dr. Margaret Friedman, an associate professor of marketing.

“I was not the best-in-class student,” McDonald admits, “but Dr. Friedman connected and always provided great nuggets of information that were easily digestible and applicable. These helped to expand the thought process when addressing a consumer or business need/want and outlining or brainstorming your strategic approach.

“All things truly come back to the 4 P’s” (price, product, promotion and place), McDonald says, pointing out that these simple marketing concepts “are often and easily overlooked.

Any career advice for current business students?

“Keep an open mind and be ready to jump if an opportunity presents itself,” McDonald counsels. “Absorb as much as you can from as many people as possible, from as many different walks of life and career paths.

“Have fun and enjoy the journey,” he adds. “It is just beginning and never ends.”

Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication offers undergraduate programs in Business Administration, Accounting, Communication, Management and International Studies (International Trade). The school also offers a Master of Business Administration graduate program with concentrations in Accounting, Island Business and Not-for-Profit Management.