Courtesy photoThe W. Frank Barton School of Business at 黑洞社区 has launched its Executive-in-Residence program. This program will provide Barton School students, faculty and the Wichita community with vital perspectives and knowledge from industry leaders. Tom Gentile, president and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems, will serve as the program鈥檚 first resident for the fall 2021 semester.
鈥淭he wisdom of industry leaders is so vast and inspirational,鈥� said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business at Wichita State. 鈥淭his program will tap into that knowledge. We鈥檙e honored to have Spirit AeroSystems CEO Tom Gentile as our first resident. His insights will be an unprecedented and valuable resource to our students and faculty.鈥�
Gentile was appointed president and chief executive officer of Spirit AeroSystems in 2016. Prior to Spirit, he served as president and chief operating officer of GE Capital. Before that role, Gentile was president and CEO of GE Healthcare Systems, a $14 billion diagnostic imaging and medical device business. He also served as president and CEO of GE Aviation Services, a $7 billion global enterprise providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul as well as spare parts to GE Aviation鈥檚 global fleet of jet engines for commercial airlines. Gentile began his career at GE in 1998, holding a succession of leadership roles in the U.S., France and Australia. He earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics magna cum laude and MBA from Harvard University, and studied international relations at the London School of Economics.
鈥淔or the past five years, I鈥檝e seen how important 黑洞社区 and the Barton School is to the Wichita community and the region,鈥� said Gentile. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to continue to amplify their educational offerings. I look forward to strengthening Spirit鈥檚 partnership with 黑洞社区 and supporting the university鈥檚 important mission to serve the Wichita community.鈥�
Each Executive-in-Residence will provide mentorship opportunities to students, exchange ideas with Barton School faculty and work with business leaders to shape the future of business education in alignment with the future of work.
鈥淭om is the leader of the largest first-tier aerostructures manufacturer in the world,鈥� said Clark Bastian, chairman of the Barton School Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board and chairman of Fidelity Bank. 鈥淭his is a rare opportunity for students, faculty and our community to collaborate with a global visionary.鈥�
This program, along with the recently announced Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, are a few of the many initiatives the Barton School has launched to become one of the premier business schools in the world. It also aligns with the vision of the university as a whole.
鈥淲e are an applied learning university. The Executive-in-Residence program at the Barton School is the perfect mix of academia and application,鈥� said Dr. Rick Muma, interim president of Wichita State. 鈥淚t will help create a stronger connection between us and the outside business world. And by learning from these leaders, our students will be better prepared to enter the workforce and eventually become leaders themselves."
鈥淚 believe that the Barton School鈥檚 Executive-in-Residence and Entrepreneur-in-Residence programs are not only going to shape our students鈥� lives, but will also positively impact our community,鈥� said Shirley Lefever, interim executive vice president and provost at Wichita State. 鈥淭he businesses in Wichita and around the world will see long-term benefits from our students because of opportunities like this.鈥�
For more information on the Barton School, visit .
