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Special Announcement – Robert Stein Appointed Interim Director of the Institute

The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence is proud to announce that the search committee has appointed Robert Stein as Interim Director, effective April 1, 2014. Following more than 20 years of growing the Institute into its impactful position today, Founder and Executive Director Ann Dugan announced last fall that she would be passing the baton to a successor following the university’s search process.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for Bob and what this appointment means for the future success of the Institute,” said Dugan. “Bob is not only a renowned entrepreneur, but a natural leader who works extremely well with Institute staff and members, while pushing the bar on what can be possible.”

Robert Stein joined the Institute in 2005 and has held various senior leadership roles, most recently serving as Director of the Institute’s Information Technology Consulting Practice which he created and launched in 2007. Stein is a nationally renowned innovator and sought after consultant in the technology industry with extensive experience in improving project management, assessing costs and implementing enterprise-wide, integrated information systems.

Stein, whose background includes learning the challenges of his family business at a young age, formed his first venture as an entrepreneur at the age of 16 when he founded Active Network, Inc. (ActiveWin.com), one of the first Microsoft-focused portals on the world wide web. Due to his long-standing technology industry expertise he has been able to spend time with many leading executives such as Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Meg Whitman, among others. For eleven consecutive years, he has been recognized as one of only a few thousand experts worldwide who have received Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professional Award. In March 2014, Stein was also named a finalist for CIO of the year by the Pittsburgh Technology Council for his work with Institute clients.

Robert Stein holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations and Information Systems Management from the Smeal College of Business from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, Stein also holds a certificate in Executive Leadership from the Harvard Business School at Harvard University.

Dugan and Stein look forward to working together during the transition process.

“I have learned so much from Ann during my time with the Institute and it is my vision to continue to build upon Ann’s legacy of impacting entrepreneurs and business leaders to grow the regional economy” said Stein.