Excellence by Choice Lecture Series: Moments of Truth

Ashland University alumnus Rich Ferrari will be returning to the AU campus in August to give a lecture hosted by the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in the Dauch College of Business and Economics. “We are so grateful that one of our most prominent business graduates has agreed to return to campus to make a public presentation for our students and those in the community,” said Dr. Elad Granot, dean of the Dauch College. On Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m. Ferrari will speak on the topic of “Moments of Truth” at an event to be held in the Ridenour Room in the Dauch College of Business and Economics. The event is free and open to the public. Thomas Sudow, director of AU’s Morgan Center, said that Ferrari’s presentation is the first in an overall lecture series titled “Excellent by Choice,” a series that Ferrari has been developing for a number of years. “During this lecture, Rich will use real world examples to illustrate how even little things that happen all the time can alter your business or life in a positive or negative direction,” Sudow said. “How you handle this situation can be a make it or break it experience. How you rise above normal and average and stand out can be your moment of truth.” While the event is free, organizers of the event are asking those attending to RSVP by filling out the form at Click here to RSVP. Ferrari came to Ashland College from Long Island, N.Y., to play lacrosse during the mid-1970s and during his junior year began to develop his personal philosophy that would help guide his life. He has gone on to have a very successful career in the venture capital industry in Silicon Valley. Ferrari is co-founder of De Novo Ventures, which has $650 million under management and is one of the premier firms dedicated to Medical Devices and Bio-Technology. Additionally, Ferrari has been a successful CEO of two publicly traded medical technology companies. Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, the first and leading developer of ultrasound imaging catheters that was eventually acquired for $125 million by Boston Scientific. His most recent success, CardioThoracic Systems (CTS), the market leader in disposable instruments and systems for performing minimally invasive beating heart bypass surgery, was acquired by Guidant for $350 million in November 1999. Ferrari was a co-founder of CTS and the force that led the company to an initial public offering in only seven months, the fastest of any medical technology company in history. Ferrari also co-founded the Medical Technology Group, which spun-off Integrated Vascular Systems that was acquired by Abbot Vascular and Ensure, acquired by J&J. Ferrari also serves as a faculty member of the Stanford Biodesign Emerging Entrepreneurs Forum as well as a board member for the Stanford Coulter Foundation for Translational Medicine. Previously, Ferrari held the positions of executive vice president and general manager of ADAC Laboratories. In 1996, he founded Saratoga Ventures, a venture capital partnership that has provided seed financing to startup medical technology companies. Ferrari is the recipient of the Mallinckrodt Award for Excellence in Medicine and has been a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ashland University and an MBA from the University of South Florida. Ashland University, ranked in the top tier of colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2018, is a mid-sized, comprehensive private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Religiously affiliated with the Brethren Church, Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) deeply values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.