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Business News

Tesoro Founder Presents His Story of Leadership

—June 21, 2001

Robert V. West Jr., founder and former chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Tesoro Petroleum Corporation, presented leadership advice during the Center for Professional Excellence Stories of Leadership program Wednesday.

The audience, composed of current and former students of the Leadership Challenge, Executive MBA, Business Foundations and Certified Financial Planning programs, discovered how West founded Tesoro Petroleum Corporation in 1964 by obtaining $7 million in financing with only $20,000 in collateral.

"Good leaders need character, a positive attitude, communication skills, a strong work ethic, love for others and lofty goals," he said.

West received bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering and a doctorate in chemical and petroleum engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. "Becoming an outstanding student is a form of leadership," said West.

With no formal business training, West educated himself by reading business texts in airports while on the road to promoting his company. Once Tesoro was established, West devised a three-way merger to provide a solid capital base for his corporation. Since then Tesoro has grown internationally to a company that generates $5 billion in annual revenue.

West and his wife Helen recently gave the College of Business $10,000 to establish an endowed scholarship. Preference will be given to business students who have participated in the Leadership Challenge Program.

The Stories of Leadership program provides a forum for community members to engage in life long dialogue and inquiry. The stories are powerful tools to instruct, guide and inspire the continued development of today's as well as tomorrow's leaders.

Wendy Frost—

Please send your comments to: wendy.frost@utsa.edu

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