Technical Specialist, BASF
PMBA Class of 2020
“Being in R&D with large, established corporations, my career has always been on a technical track. Wanting a deeper understanding of the business of innovation, I took Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation as part of my PMBA. I’m glad I did. Dr. Cardinal’s class connected all of the dots between R&D and business. My thinking moved to strategic management of innovation and solidified my interest in working on R&D projects in their infancy.”
Jack R. Johnson, III, PhD, Technical Specialist, BASF, PMBA Class of 2020
Jack R. Johnson, III, earned a PhD in Polymer Science & Engineering from Case Western Reserve University so it was only natural his career followed a technical track, first with Sherwin-Williams, a global paint and coatings corporation, and now with BASF, a multinational chemical company. Two years ago, he enrolled in the Darla Moore School of Business’ Professional MBA program and took Laura B. Cardinal’s class, Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation (SMTI). “I read the class description and it had my name on it,” said Johnson. “I wasn’t disappointed. Much of the subject matter covered things I‘ve seen in my professional life, and pulled corporate technology and commercialization cycles into view. I came to realize R&D doesn’t have to be ‘safe’ and removing the seatbelt makes it exciting.”
Given his new insight and the positive impact Cardinal’s class has had on his career, Jack encourages colleagues and fellow PMBA students to take SMTI. “SMTI was definitely a challenging class, but I’d love to take more.”