UNH Alumnus Receives AACSB's Inaugural Influential Leaders Award

DURHAM, N.H., Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of New Hampshire announced today that the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the global accrediting body for business schools, has recognized UNH alumnus Garrett Ilg '83 as one of the first 100 AACSB Influential Leaders. Ilg's work exemplifies the innovative mindset and meaningful contributions to society that UNH graduates display around the world and every day—whether they operate within large corporations, small businesses, or the nonprofit sector.

Ilg graduated from UNH's Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. He currently serves as senior vice president and head of worldwide enterprise sales and field operations at Adobe Systems Inc. where he directs go-to-market initiatives for Adobe's marketing, creative and document cloud business groups with a focus on enterprise solutions.

As an AACSB Influential Leader, Ilg joins individuals such as the CEO of one of the world's largest global relief services, a technology pioneer who is working to cure cancer, the founder of a global e-commerce powerhouse, and an enterprising president attributed with reviving an international toy industry favorite. More than 20 industry sectors, from consumer products to healthcare to nonprofits, across 21 countries, are present in this year's group.

"We are proud to have Garrett Ilg as an alumnus," said Deborah Merrill-Sands, dean of the UNH's Paul College. "Throughout his career, Ilg has been at the forefront of innovation in technology and software. He led business initiatives to develop mobile technology that drove the app server revolution and transformed the internet from a mass communication system to both a communication and business platform. Today at Adobe he is now pushing the envelope of the digital revolution." 

"I am honored by the recognition," said Ilg. "My experience at UNH helped launch a career that has been both diverse and exciting. Leveraging the knowledge and relationships that I have been so fortunate to gather over the years I continue to focus on a global view across the team I work with at Adobe, with our partners, and most importantly with our customers. This works well as the global economy continues to drive a digital transformation that provides opportunity in every corner of the world both in commerce and in social engagement."  

For the nomination process, AACSB developed a short list of open-ended questions that provided a framework for expectations for nominees. From April to June 2015, AACSB-accredited schools submitted notable alumni who have made (or are making) an impact in the world. From the nominations, a selection committee reviewed and chose stories that showed a sampling of the positive impact that business school graduates have made on society.

"It is my honor to recognize Ilg for his contributions as an Influential Leader, and to thank UNH for its dedication to providing a business education environment based on engagement, innovation, and impact," said Thomas R. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. "If told, the success stories of all business school graduates would fill unmeasurable volumes. AACSB is honored to celebrate Ilg—and the collective 100 Influential Leaders—as a representation of how business school alumni have positively influenced society, as well as the management education industries, past, present, and promising future."

For the full list of recipients, visit www.aacsb.edu/Influential-Leaders.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 13,000 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students. Paul College, with degree programs in business, economics and hospitality management, is committed to preparing individuals to excel in their careers, engage in their communities and meet the challenges of the global business world through innovative, research-based education and outreach.

Founded in 1916, AACSB is an association of more than 1,450 educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations in 90 countries and territories. AACSB's mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership, and value-added services. As the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, AACSB offers a wide array of services to the management education industry.

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SOURCE University of New Hampshire

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