F

 

 

or some, power

is an end to

itself; for others,

it is the means

to impact the world

around them.

Gary Gerds, MBA ‘08, is Vice

President, General Manager, and

Member of the Board of Directors

at Grabber, Inc., a company

that produces small air-activated

warmers and other outdoor

warmth and protection products.

His position allows him to serve

and connect with others in both

an international and a local way.

“Doing business internationally

has brought me into

contact with people from different

cultures and religions and

often provides an opportunity

to answer questions about my

faith. Cornerstone helped me

to be prepared when those

doors are opened,” Gerds said.

Dan Tkachuk, territory

manager- Western United States:

Food, Drug & Mass Merchandise

Division, was a classmate

of Gerds’ in the PGS program.

He was also employed by

Gerds in December of 2007.

Tkachuk found the emphasis

on real life applications

to be extremely beneficial.

“Having the same professors

and instructors teach

multiple classes was extremely

beneficial. We were able to

see actual business managers

instruct using their experiences

from a global economic

perspective,” Tkachuk said.

Gerds noticed Cornerstone’s

campus while driving to and

from work each day. One day,

however, he noticed a sign advertising

the new MBA program.

Gerds said he had originally

planned to get his masters at

Western, where he did his

undergrad work. However,

that plan changed when he

postponed the pursuit of

his masters because of his

young family and a job that

required frequent travel.

Since then, however, Gerds

was able to pursue his masters.

The PGS program, which is

designed to fit into a working

person’s schedule, was a good fit.

“My Cornerstone education

has enhanced my business skill

set, strategic and analytical

thinking, and helps me remember

my goal of being a good steward,”

Gerds said. “Cornerstone’s

commitment to approaching

business from the perspective

of a Christian worldview aligns

with my personal beliefs.”

“My favorite memory of

class were the weekly interactions

with my very talented

cohort –the diversity of

disciplines sales, engineers,

researchers, procurement,

IT, marketing, manufacturing,

teaching – lots of experience

to draw on from many

major companies like Pfizer,

Kellogg’s, Perrigo, Stryker,

Eaton, State Farm & Parker

Hannifin,” Gerds said.

“There was truly a melting

pot of talent from all careers, and

it was great to see a Christian

Worldview of business from

engineers, managers, teachers,

retailers, salesman, temps,

buyers, even the unemployed. It

was great to witness the differing

experiences,” Tkachuk said.

Tkachuk said he was not only

a classmate of Gerds’, but also

a member of the same Professional

Learning Team, one of

the unique aspects of every

PGS cohort. Working together

for two years allowed them to

learn the way the other worked,

their management, relationship

and social styles, and prepared

them to work together.

Gerds also appreciates the

chance to use his business to

impact those in the community

as well as internationally.

“We are fortunate to be

blessed with company ownership

that allows us to support

good causes. We have donated

product to God’s Kitchen,

Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, the

American Red Cross, International

Aid, Habitat for Humanity

and causes like Operation

Gratitude (sending care

packages to our service people

stationed overseas) among

many others,” Gerds said.

When asked what his advice

to current students would be,

Gerds said, “Be fully engaged

in your education, be courageous

and make a conscious

effort to move beyond your

comfort zones. Reach beyond

your grasp: you’ll be surprised

at what you can accomplish.”