Academics

Energy executives to speak at Penn State Smeal leadership lecture series

Two Penn State Smeal College of Business alumni who are CEOs of Pennsylvania-based energy companies will share their perspectives about the evolving energy sector and their roles as leaders on Friday, March 18. Their visits are part of the college’s Executive Insights series.

John M. Arnold, 1987 master of business administration, chairman, CEO, and owner of PPC Lubricants, Inc., and Alan R. Guttman, 1969 finance, CEO of Guttman Energy, Inc., will take part in a moderated discussion with Charles H. Whiteman, John and Becky Surma Dean of Smeal, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. in the Struthers Auditorium, Room 110 of the Business Building. The event is free and open to the public, but online registration is required at www.smeal.psu.edu/insights.

Arnold and Guttman’s visit is the second of three Executive Insights sessions this spring. Kurt Bock, chairman of the board of executive directors of BASF SE, is scheduled to visit the college on April 8.

Arnold’s PPC Lubricants, Inc. is the U.S.’s fourth-largest distributor and the U.S.’s largest privately held distributor of commercial, industrial, and automotive lubricants, greases, fluids, and chemicals. Until its sale in April 2015, he led Petroleum Products Corp., a $3 billion per-year mid-stream company that maintained refined petroleum pipeline terminals across the northeast.

Guttman started his career with Guttman Energy in 1972 and is now CEO. Guttman Energy, founded in 1931, is a leading fuels marketer and fuel management solutions provider, serving the commercial, wholesale, and retail markets in 16 states. Guttman Energy is one of a group of family owned companies known as The Guttman Group. It consists of Guttman Energy, Source One Transportation, LLC, and Guttman Realty Company.

Executive Insights is designed to complement the Smeal educational experience by bringing high-profile business leaders to the college to connect with students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Past guests include more than 25 leaders from organizations such as Archer Daniels Midland, Boeing, Credit Suisse, Dell, Deloitte, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Johnson & Johnson, Kohl’s, KPMG, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, PwC, Samsung, Siemens, Verizon, Tumi Holdings, Inc., and Urban Outfitters.

Last Updated March 14, 2016

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