University of Pittsburgh to Present McKinsey Cup Competition April 17

PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business will once again host the McKinsey Cup Playoffs and Competition, to be held April 17 in Oakland. The competition is the culmination of a course that seeks to equip students with the ability to achieve success in an increasingly complex business world. The class merges traditional and experienced-based learning by placing students with client organizations to work on real-world issues.

During the spring 2009 term, 17 such projects were undertaken with the following clients: American Eagle Outfitters, Bayer BMS, Dlubak Corporation, 84 Lumber Company, Ellis School, HM Insurance Company, Kennametal, Inc., Massaro Corporation, Nemocolin Woodlands, McGowan Institute (Pitt-UPMC), Philips (Respironics), Inc., Precision Therapeutics, Inc., Red Oak Café, Respironics Foundation, Samaritan Counseling Service, and the Westinghouse Electric Company.

At the playoffs and competition, students will square off and be judged by faculty, alumni, and business executives from participating organizations. The playoffs, which are open to the media, will narrow the competition to four teams in closed-door sessions. The top four teams will then participate in the McKinsey Cup Competition, which is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Carnegie Art Museum Theater, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland.

Prior to the competition, Glen T. Meakem will present a free public lecture on the Employee Free Choice Act at 12:30 p.m. in the Steiner Atrium in Pitt's Mervis Hall, Roberto Clemente Dr., Oakland. Meakem has earned a national reputation as a new economy innovator and leader-first as cofounder, chair, and CEO of FreeMarkets, Inc., and more recently as cofounder and managing director of Meakem Becker Venture Capital.

FreeMarkets was a leading business-to-business Internet company that helped Global 2000 companies save money by automating and improving their purchasing functions. Meakem Becker Venture Capital is a leading early-stage venture capital firm that was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in the Pittsburgh area. The firm focuses on building new technology-enabled product and service companies.

In 2008, Meakem launched "The Glen Meakem" radio program, broadcast weekend mornings in Pittsburgh on FM NewsTalk 104.7 and available at GlenMeakem.com. Through his radio program and Sunday column in the "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review," he shares his experience and perspective on creating successful businesses and instituting public policies that lead to prosperous communities.

Meakem graduated A.B. cum laude from Harvard University in 1986 and later earned his M.B.A. at Harvard Business School.

###

4/10/09/tmw