MSUM Alumna Receives AACSB’s Inaugural Influential Leaders Award
Border States CEO & Board Chair Tammy Miller joins 100 notable alumni from AACSB-accredited schools who are making an impact in the world through their business acumen, leadership, or entrepreneurial success.
Today, AACSB International (AACSB), the global accrediting body and membership association for business schools, revealed that Tammy Miller, a Minnesota State University Moorhead graduate, has been recognized as one of the first 100 AACSB Influential Leaders. Miller’s work exemplifies the innovative mindset and meaningful contributions to society that MSUM graduates display around the world every day—whether they operate within large corporations, small businesses, or the nonprofit sector.
Miller graduated from MSUM’s Paseka School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration. She is the CEO and board chair of Border States Electric Supply, the nation’s 8th largest distributor of electrical products and services. She joined the company in 1991 as an accounting manager and worked her way through various management positions before being named CEO in 2006.
She is an innovative leader who has inspired this employee-owned company to enjoy unprecedented and continued growth. Since Miller became CEO, revenue has grown from $485 million to over $1.7 billion and the stock value growth has dramatically outpaced the market benchmarks. The company has an aggressive growth plan and now operates 81 branch locations in 16 states. She is extremely well-regarded in the industry and was the first woman in the 100-year history of the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) to serve as the board chair. She is also an active community volunteer.
Miller received the NAED’s Arthur W. Hooper Award and the Women in Industry Trailblazer Award.
Miller joins individuals such as the CEO of one of the world’s largest global relief services, a technology pioneer who is working to cure cancer, the founder of a global e-commerce powerhouse, and an enterprising president attributed with reviving an international toy industry favorite. More than 20 industry sectors, from consumer products to healthcare to nonprofits, across 21 countries, are present in this year’s group.
“I am honored by this award. My education at MSUM provided tremendous value, a solid foundation for my professional career and opened doors to unlimited opportunities,” Miller said. “Just as my experiences at MSUM influenced my success, I hope I have influenced people in a positive way, helping them grow, succeed and achieve more than they ever imagined.”
For the nomination process, AACSB developed a short list of open-ended questions that provided a framework for expectations for nominees. From April to June 2015, AACSB-accredited schools submitted notable alumni who have made (or are making) an impact in the world. From the nominations, a selection committee reviewed and chose stories that showed a sampling of the positive impact that business school graduates have made on society.
“It is my honor to recognize Tammy Miller for her contributions as an Influential Leader and to thank Minnesota State University Moorhead for its dedication to providing a business education environment based on engagement, innovation, and impact,” said Thomas R. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. “If told, the success stories of all business school graduates would fill immeasurable volumes. AACSB is honored to celebrate Tammy Miller—and the collective 100 Influential Leaders—as a representation of how business school alumni have positively influenced society, as well as the management education industry’s, past, present, and promising future.”
“The Paseka School of Business is honored to be accredited by AACSB, which affirms MSUM is teaching students what employers need—the latest ideas in business, theories, and practical skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively,” said Marsha Weber, dean of MSUM’s College of Business and Innovation. “Tammy Miller’s education provided her with the skills and knowledge to be successful. We are very proud of her accomplishments.”
For the full list of recipients, visit www.aacsb.edu/Influential-Leaders.
About Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a comprehensive regional university and a member of theMinnesota State Colleges and Universities. The University’s Paseka School of Business maintains its business accreditation by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Learn more about MSUM business programs at mnstate.edu/schoolofbusiness. View our Leaders video of Tammy here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEGBIYwCo6E
About AACSB International
Founded in 1916, AACSB is an association of more than 1,450 educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations in 90 countries and territories. AACSB’s mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership, and value-added services. As the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, AACSB offers a wide array of services to the management education industry. AACSB’s global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA; its Asia Pacific headquarters is located in Singapore; and its Europe, Middle East, and Africa headquarters is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.