Volcom Co-Founder to Visit SDSU
Thom McElroy will speak at SDSU on Oct. 22 in the Fowler Athletic Center.
San Diego State University's Lavin Entrepreneurship Center will welcome Thom McElroy, co-founder of Volcom, as part of the L. Robert Payne Distinguished Entrepreneur Lecture Series on Oct. 22.
McElroy is an SDSU alum who graduated in 1985 with a degree in graphic communications and helped build Volcom into a $400 million company.
A passionate entrepreneur, McElroy built Volcom on the ideals of self-expression and individualism. He designed the face of Volcom, their distinctive stone-shaped logo and positioned the brand's culture as an anti-establishment surf and skate company.
McElroy will discuss his successes and failures, facilitate a question and answer session and host a VIP reception following the event. The VIP reception will take place in the Hall of Fame, where students and faculty can mingle with established business representatives from the regional entrepreneurial community and SDSU alumni.
About the series
The L. Robert Payne Speaker Series was established in 1996 with a gift from SDSU alumnus L. Robert Payne, a successful entrepreneur and long-time supporter of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center.
Each year, entrepreneurs are welcomed to campus and students have the opportunity to interact with established entrepreneurs.
McElroy joins a significant line of past lecturers:
- Jeff Church, co-founder of NIKA water
- Jim Sinegal, co-founder and CEO of Costco
- Tina Nova, co-founder, president, CEO and Director of Genoptix, Inc
- Norm Brinker, former Chairman of Brinker International
- Jim Sinegal, president and CEO of Costco
- John Moores, founder of Peregrine Systems and chairman of the Padres
- John Sarkisian, co-founder, Pat & Oscar's Restaurants
- Irwin Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QUALCOMM
- Robert J. Nugent, former chairman and CEO of Jack in the Box
- Russell Lewis, founder and CEO of Rhino Linings
- Robert Beyster, founder of SAIC
- Ron Fowler, chairman and CEO of Liquid Investments, Inc.
More information
The lecture will take place in the Fowler Athletic Center Auditorium at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
