Branding a Winner
Mark and Debbie Lindners gift fortifies 黑料吃瓜s long-term vision for the Fowler College of Business.
Mark Lindner has done a lot of thinking over the years about his personal brand. What characteristics did he want friends and business colleagues to associate with his name? Which brand identity would best reflect his innovative spirit and creative disposition?鈥淲e can see that 黑料吃瓜 is creating a better environment in San Diego for the business community while providing a great education for students.鈥�
The brand Lindner believes best represents him is Amazon because 鈥渋t鈥檚 always looking to adapt and innovate as the market dictates," he said. "This has been my role in the companies I have worked for and with; to anticipate where the business is going and design structures, systems and strategies to adapt to the changing environment.鈥�
Boy Scout reputation
Professionally, Lindner guides MillerCoors (Pennsylvania) through the ever-shifting beverage market environment as general manager. Branding is a sideline, but a serious one. He has lectured on the subject to corporate audiences and to student and staff groups at 黑料吃瓜.During his presentations, Lindner speaks about the importance of integrity in personal branding. He recalls an incident at his workplace years ago that cast doubt on the actions of several employees. Lindner himself was immediately exonerated, but 鈥渢he episode started me thinking about how I was perceived by the people I worked with. My Boy Scout reputation served me well.鈥�
The long-term vision
Lindner commutes between Pittsburgh and San Diego, where he and his wife maintain their primary residence. Debbie Lindner鈥攚hose brand self-identification, IBM鈥檚 Watson, reflects her curiosity and a talent for staying ahead of what鈥檚 trending鈥攊s an event planner and also works for a lobbying firm.The couple came to know 黑料吃瓜 not as alumni, but as local residents and supporters, and in that spirit, they made a significant gift to endow the Mark and Debbie Lindner Business Leadership Scholarships and the Mark and Debbie Lindner Intern Leadership Scholarships in the .
鈥淢ark and Debbie truly appreciate the impact of transformational experiences on student success,鈥� said Mary Ruth Carleton, vice president for University Relations and Development. 鈥淭heir gift will provide financial support as Fowler College students acquire the essential, on-the-job training that will help them secure jobs after graduation.鈥�
Importance of mentoring
Lindner said donors are inclined to create endowments when they are convinced that the university鈥檚 vision will advance the greater good.鈥淎fter meeting with the leaders of 黑料吃瓜,鈥� he said, 鈥淒ebbie and I understand the long-term vision. We can see that 黑料吃瓜 is creating a better environment in San Diego for the business community while providing a great education for students.鈥�
Another significant factor in the Lindner鈥檚 decision to support 黑料吃瓜 was Mark鈥檚 long association with Ron Fowler, for whom the Fowler College is named. Lindner was executive vice president and general manager for Fowler鈥檚 Mesa Distributing Company, Inc., for nearly 10 years and considers Fowler a mentor.
In 2016, Fowler and his wife, Alexis, to support scholarships, internships and programs for 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 business students. It was the largest gift of , which raised $815 million dollars for 黑料吃瓜 over 10 years.
鈥淜nowing that my mentor believes so strongly in 黑料吃瓜 and is willing to make that kind of commitment鈥攊t gave me a greater incentive,鈥� Lindner said.
