HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970 Businesses deal with new crises every yearNew crisis dealt
with every year
American business is "dealing
with a new crisis every year" the
retirng head of Texas A &M
University's Executive Develop-
ment Program contends.
William E. (Bill) Eckles, who
has worn three hats at the uni-
versity during the past 10 years,
says these are the times of many
threats to business, coming from
both internal and e x t e r n a l
sources.
"Many company presidents ask
me `what prerogatives do I have
left to run my business ?' I can-
not answer this question. But I
do try to show them how to
understand and live with the
changes," Eckles explained.
He admits most businessmen,
including himself, are optimistic
about the future.
But optimism is what has kept
Bill Eckles ticking for almost 65
years. And although he is retir-
ing for what he calls "the third
time," it is not necessarily his
last retirement.
Eckles has had
life, serving as a
educator, military
university teacher.
a remarkable
public school
leader and
He is director of A &M's Exec-
0 utive Development Program,
serves' as Assistant Dean of the
College of Business Administra-
tion and is an associate professor
of management.
AuM President Earl Rudder,
who died in March, hand - picked
Eckles for the Executive Devel-
opment Program. Eckles has used
his many years of experience to
make it one of the nation's best.
Approximately 12 companies
actively backed the EDP when
Eckles came to Texas A &M in
1960. Today it has support from
over 200 major businesses in the
Southwest and nation.
Eckles has expanded the pro-
gram, brought in creative speak-
ers, added two management
seminars and in 1965 started a
President's Forum program for
high company executives.
The acceptance has been over-
whelming. A 1965 Harvard study
showed more senior executives
attend the A &M programs than
any others offered in the United
States.
Eckles officially retires in Aug-
ust. Although he will miss the
EDP activities, he admits he will
miss classroom teaching and his
association with A &M students
the most.
"I will miss teaching very
much. In fact, more than any-
thing else," he declared. "Teach-
ing is most rewarding. It is a
wonderful opportunity and a ter-
rific responsibility. It's more than
a job, it's an influence on a lot
of young minds."
Eckles believes the young
graduates are better prepared
and dedicated to American busi-
ness. However, he stresses any
person in business today must
continually upgrade his educa-
tion and experience to meet the
many new challenges "due to the
acceleration in the rate of
change."