Old Masters
2009 Old Masters
The Old Masters program, which is sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, got its start in 1950. Since then, more than 500 Old Masters have visited campus and shared their ideas and experiences with students.
Ten leaders in a variety of fields will visit Purdue University Nov. 8-10, 2009 for the 60th annual Old Masters program, which will give students the opportunity to interact with successful professionals. Two will be from the College of Liberal Arts.
Ronald "Ron" Carpinella II
BA 1991 History, Purdue University
MBA 2005, Duke University
Vice President of Identity Management, Equifax, Inc.
Before Ron worked for Equifaz he was director of sales at Veoh Networks in Atlanta, Georgia. Before Equifax and Veoh, Ron set the strategic direction for advertising and sponsorship at AllConnect. He is also a past manager at Google, where his responsibilities included leading sales for the Southern USA, managing advertising solutions for marketers and opening and managing the company's Atlanta and Dallas offices. During his nearly six year tenure at Google he grew the customer base to over 500, including partnerships with Fortune 500 companies including Office Depot, Lowe's, Home Depot, UPS, Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart and Georgia Pacific.
With over a decade of advertising and sales experience, Ron has an extensive background in online media and marketing, providing leadership at Internet media visionaries such as Engage Media, Flycast Media and Relevant Knowledge. Ron began his career in media and advertising working for J.Walter Thompson and Foote Cone & Belding. An authority on internet marketing, he was one of the founders of the Atlanta and the South Florida Interactive Marketing Associations and is sought out to speak on e-marketing opportunities.
Ron is also Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve, where he serves as a Public Affairs Officer for the Chief of Navy Information. In this role he has traveled the world serving as far away as S. Korea, Turkey, Alaska and most of Europe. His military decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Overseas Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service, National Defense Service, and marksmanship awards.
Ron has served leadership positions in numerous charities and community program, including two terms as the Chairman of the 5th Congressional District for the Georgia GOP. He was appointed to the “Keep Atlanta Beautiful” Commission & the Fulton County Public Access and Cable Board, and he currently serves on the City of Sandy Springs Board of Zoning Appeals. He acts as a technology advisor for the Georgia Security Council and was selected for the Coverdell Leadership Institute.
Rear Admiral Carol Pottenger
BA 1977, History, Purdue University
HDR 2007, College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University
Commissioned as an ensign through Purdue NROTC
Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, United States Navy
One of the first women selected for sea duty, Pottenger reported aboard USS Yosemite (AD 19), as engineering division officer and completed a Mediterranean deployment. Subsequent sea tours included assignment as operations officer aboard USS Yellowstone (AD 41) and executive officer aboard USS Kiska (AE 35). Pottenger assumed command of USS Shasta (AE 33) in 1996, completing several deployments in support of Commander, 5th Fleet and Commander, 7th Fleet. She took command of USS Bridge (AOE 10) in 2001, and during an extended deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, re-supplied 10 battle groups, amphibious groups and dozens of coalition ships; receiving the Battle “E” and the 2002 Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy.
Shore tours have included assignment to Commander, Service Group 2 as staff communications officer; assignment to USNA as the 25th company officer; commanding officer of two Navy Operational Support Centers in Mare Island, Calif., and San Diego. She also served as COMNAVSURFRESFOR deputy chief of staff for Manpower, where she implemented a national automated selection board system for Reserve unit command positions.
During several tours in the Pentagon, Pottenger served as executive assistant for Director, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N86); executive assistant to Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Resources, Requirements & Assessments) (OPNAV N8); executive assistant to Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Upon selection to flag rank she served as deputy chief of Navy Reserve for one year. In November 2005, Pottenger established a new Navy command, creating a type commander for over 40 Combat Logistics and Special Mission ships. She served for one year as the first commander, Military Sealift Fleet Support Command. In November 2006, Pottenger became the first female admiral to command a forward deployed operation command when she assumed command of Amphibious Force 7th Fleet at White Beach, Okinawa, aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).
Pottenger assumed command of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command on September 12, 2008 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.