Kent “Oz” Nelson is a Ball State graduate whose discipline, compassion, and common sense propelled him in his climb up the corporate ladder at UPS. In 1959, Oz began his decades-long career at UPS just two days after graduating from Ball State. He began as a sales and customer service representative, and he retired as chairman and CEO of UPS in 1997.
In this episode, Oz talks about the professors and courses that inspired him as a Ball State student and how his involvement in a fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, helped him establish the connections that created his opportunity at UPS.
Oz also looks back on some of the transformative moments in his career, including when UPS became the first company to deliver to every address in the United States. He also shares his professional advice to our students and his recollections of how a chance telephone call led to an enduring friendship with President Jimmy Carter.
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