Jeff Streb, senior director of human resources for Ingram Micro, explained the company's business strategy to attendees of the Oct. 20 presentation.

Niagara University’s Office of Career Services, supported by the College of Business Administration, hosted an Oct. 20 campus visit by Ingram Micro, No. 64 on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. companies. Ingram Micro was represented by several executives, recruiters and Niagara University alumni.

Forty-seven students attended the session to learn more about the global company, which maintains a local presence with more than 1,600 employees.

The title of the session was “How Ingram Micro, a Company at the Forefront of the Global Technology Marketplace, Leverages its Business Strategy of ‘Excel, Strengthen and Develop’ to Enable its Partners to Realize the Promise of Technology.”

Jeff Streb, senior director of human resources learning and development, kicked off the discussion with a presentation on Ingram Micro’s role in the technology industry, its general structure and the company’s core values. Students heard about Ingram Micro’s focus on innovation, accountability, integrity, teamwork and respect, learning and social responsibility, and expressed their admiration for these values.

After the introduction to Ingram Micro, there was a panel discussion that explored aspects of the company’s marketing, finance and human resource management functions. Jamie Ferullo, director of Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Business Unit, provided an overview of the effect of cloud computing on the industry, and how Ingram Micro competes based on its knowledge and ability to provide solutions to clients, rather than solely selling a product.

Kelly Carter, executive director of financial solutions for Ingram Micro North America, explained that its clients face significant time lags from purchase to sale. Her award-winning group develops innovative financial solutions that support both Ingram Micro and clients’ objectives.

Streb provided insights into how, over the past decade or so, this global organization has gone from a traditional structure to one that is adept at embracing the challenges of a fast-paced environment using large-scale change.

Ferullo, Carter and Streb all emphasized the dynamic environment and need to stay ahead of industry changes in order to be successful in the marketplace. They explained that much of that advantage comes from being a company where people want to work, and strongly supporting employees to be effective in this environment.

The session wrapped up with questions and answers, as well as the opportunity to speak directly with the panelists. During this time, students were also able to speak with Ingram Micro employees Amy Zboch, Jack Goeddertz, Rebecca Petrie and Melanie Tarantelli about working at the innovative organization.

To learn more, please contact Robert Swanson, director of Niagara University’s Office of Career Services, at ude.aragain@spr or 716.286.8538.