David Olivieri – Executive Professor of Business Administration
MBA – University of Rochester, JD – University of Buffalo
Professor Oliveiri has held several executive positions over a 30-year career in publishing and law. He most recently served as group vice president of legal education for West Group (an operating arm of Thomson-Reuters) and president of Foundation Press. He has held positions as senior vice president and publisher, vice president of business development, vice president of product systems, and general manager/chief operating officer for various Thomson subsidiaries and operating groups.
Q: What courses do you teach?
A: Currently, I teach Business Law and Negotiations to Simon students. Also, I teach the Business Plan Practicum to Executive MBA students.
Q: How long have you taught at Simon?
A: Since 2001.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The opportunity as an alum (Executive MBA ’81) to interact with a new generation of Simon students and share my business experiences within the context of Simon’s economics-driven approach to management education.
Q: Could you please share a fun fact about you?
A: I once played guitar in a rock band that won a prestigious competition in my hometown of Buffalo — the Battle of the Bands! We predated the Beatles by about a year, but unlike the Beatles did not continue to pursue our musical “careers”. Who knows?
Q: If you could recommend a “unique Rochester experience” to prospective students what would it be?
A: The standard (and excellent) answer is to just go to the Pittsford Wegmans and observe how a well-run and well-managed leader in its field actually does things. A less obvious answer to to go to the movies — at the George Eastman House’s Dryden Theatre, which presents a world-class selection of classic, foreign, and offbeat films. You can learn a lot from the movies. For instance, the Russell Crowe adventure from a few years back — Master and Commander; The Far Side of the World — should be required viewing on the subject of leadership in every management program.