A Whiting-Turner Lecture — November 19, 2009

Abstract

Serial entrepreneur and private investor S .Tien Wong will present his thoughts on what it will take to succeed in the new economy. The business and economic climates have radically changed in the past 18 months. Business is as challenging and competitive as ever, capital is scarce, and customers are more demanding. What does this mean for entrepreneurs and future leaders? Wong will draw on his experience as Founder and CEO of one of the world's largest customer relationship management (CRM) companies, as well as his experience in investing in and acquiring business services and technology companies. Topics will include the changing nature of customer service, private equity, IT and the emergence of China as a powerhouse, and how these trends may alter the way we need to conduct business and train our future business leaders.

Biography

S. Tien Wong is chairman and CEO of Opus8, Inc., a Maryland-based private investment firm specializing in middle market buyouts, private equity and venture capital investment. The firm seeks to acquire North American call center, customer relationship management and outsourced marketing services and technology companies. Opus8 also makes venture capital investments in emerging outsourcing companies in China.

In 2008, Wong acquired a majority interest in and became chairman and CEO of Lore Systems, Inc., an advanced IT services company in the Washington, D.C., area. Lore provides world-class managed datacenter hosting and colocation services, consulting and support to a diverse base of over 300 clients.

Wong co-founded and served as CEO of CyberRep, Inc., until its acquisition in 2003 by Affiliated Computer Services. Prior to co-founding CyberRep, he worked for ten years in commercial real estate finance and investments.

In 2001 Wong won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Greater Washington. He is an "Entrepreneur in Residence" at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, and frequently lectures at major universities.

Wong is a current or former member or trustee of numerous boards. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he majored in government.