CEO of YKK shares global experiences

Alex Gregory, president and chief executive officer of YKK, gave business advice, and shared his global experiences with business students last Wednesday.

“There are so many negative things in the newspaper and television about the business world today, but my message is that it is an exciting time to enter the business world,” Gregory said.

Gregory is one of the J. Whitney Bunting School of Business’ most successful alumnus. He earned his MBA and MSA from GC&SU in 1978 and 1979; the faculty was happy to see him return, if even for a short time.

“He has been a faithful supporter of the business school for years,” said Lurline West, director of student, alumni and community services for the School of Business. “We have a nice, warm relationship with him. He is a wonderful speaker and very knowledgeable.”

Gregory spent the majority of his speech discussing the history and the work of the YKK Corporation.

“YKK is a forest-like organization. We stand together,” Gregory said.

The YKK Corporation was started in Japan in 1934 under the name Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha. The company branched overseas, the name was reduced to YKK. The business is currently responsible for more than 3,000 jobs from Canada to South America; more than 1,000 of these jobs are in Georgia. Gregory is now responsible for 16 companies in eight different countries.

As a result of such globalization, Gregory urged students to learn a second or even a third language.

“You’re going to feel really dumb if you can’t speak another language,” Gregory said.

Gregory began his career at YKK industries as the Weaving Department manger of the Macon, Ga. plant. After three decades of hard work, dedication, and building his way through the ranks, he was promoted to president and CEO of YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. in 2001.

His success did not stop there.

In 2004, Gregory was named first non-Japanese Group Officer for YKK Corporation in Japan.

Despite all of his success, Gregory still enjoys returning to his Alma matter.

“I love being here,” he said. “I wish I could come here more often.”

In addition to seeing an old friend, faculty of the school of business wanted their students to hear from someone who had experience with global business.

“Business is so global now, it’s important for students to get the perspective of someone who day-to-day eats, sleeps and breathes global business,” West said.

Students received this message and were impressed with Gregory’s speech.

“It’s always good to see someone who went to this school come back and tell us what they’ve done in life,” said Mario Simmons, a senior management and marketing major.

Senior Ansley Hayes said she was inspired by the presentation.

“It was interesting and motivating to see that I could go to a small school and do something like he did,” Hayes said.

The picture that Gregory said he really wanted students to see is that business is no longer a local affair, and that the world of business is an ever-changing adventure.

“Domestic competition is gone,” he said, closing his lecture. “All competition is global.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 24 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry