EMP-24

In the summer of 1990 I was fortunate to meet many interesting, intelligent and accomplished public and private business leaders. This collection of men and women came from manufacturing, consumer package goods, healthcare, information technology and various other industries. There were entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, scientists, general managers, vice presidents and directors of marketing, finance, IT, sales, etc. This incredible assortment of management talent and personality was better known as EMP-24. Out of the 60-plus members of this class, everyone will remember one particular classmate. His name is Tony Paoni. I think it is safe to say that Tony was the heart of our class. He had character. Some of us think he is still a character. Anyway, Tony had (and still has) passion, intelligence, a flair for the outrageous, a fun-loving nature and a strong drive for results. He could make things happen. 

Tony loved to learn. After graduation he turned that desire to learn into teaching vocation and became a faculty member at Kellogg in 1996. Professor Paoni created two popular courses at Kellogg. One course, titled "The Strategic Impact of Information Technology," focuses on the linkage of business strategy, organizational strategy and information technology strategy from the general manager's perspective. He also co-created "TechVenture," which is a unique course that provides students with an in-depth understanding of the forces shaping the formation, growth, and evolution of technology firms within economic ecosystems. Paoni co-authored two books titled, "TechVenture: New Rules on Value and Profit from Silicon Valley" and "Kellogg on Technology," based on the research from the TechVenture course and invited Mike LePore to be a guest lecturer.

Paoni also directs the Kellogg Technology Speaker Series, which invites information technology thought leaders to address the Kellogg student body and faculty.

Teaching at Kellogg is Tony's other job. In April 2001, he became vice chairman and senior partner at DiamondCluster International, an international management advisory firm specializing in the strategic use of business technology. Tony will soon be retiring from full-time teaching. He will continue, however, to teach executive education classes. 

Today Tony's health is better than ever. He ran a half-marathon in September and is planning to compete in another one in the spring. Tony and Peg have five grandchildren from their two sons who are both employed at SAP. They split their time between homes in Wheaton, Ill., and Scottsdale, Ariz.