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Crayola Executive Lecture Series

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Current:Crayola Executive Lecture Series

ESU has partnered with Crayola in the development of a Crayola Executive Lecture Series

This lecture series offers students an opportunity to learn more about the career options, business challenges, life experiences and educational opportunities of its guests.

Learn More about the COBM Residential College Watch Past Lectures

Fall 2025 speakers will include:

Pete Ruggiero: President and CEO, Crayola on September 25^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Dante Trapasso: President, The Swiftwater on October 2^nd, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Jeff Rudder: General Manager, Skytop Lodge on October 9^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Dave Kerr: President, Pennsylvania/West Virginia External Affairs, AT&T on October 16^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
David Nolen: VP, Category Insight and Analytics, Kraft Heinz Corporation on October 23^rd, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Frank C. Cicio Jr.: President & CEO, iQ4 on October 30^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Steve Pitchon: Chief Client Officer, ConnXAI on November 13^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Alex Baloga: President & CEO, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association on November 20^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.

Learn More about the COBM Residential College Watch Past Lectures

Fall 2025 speakers will include:

Pete Ruggiero: President and CEO, Crayola on September 25^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Dante Trapasso: President, The Swiftwater on October 2^nd, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Jeff Rudder: General Manager, Skytop Lodge on October 9^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Dave Kerr: President, Pennsylvania/West Virginia External Affairs, AT&T on October 16^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
David Nolen: VP, Category Insight and Analytics, Kraft Heinz Corporation on October 23^rd, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Frank C. Cicio Jr.: President & CEO, iQ4 on October 30^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Steve Pitchon: Chief Client Officer, ConnXAI on November 13^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.
Alex Baloga: President & CEO, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association on November 20^th, Beers Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.

The Crayola Executive Lecture Series is free and open to members of the public.

This lecture series is unique in that it will be presented to the students in a community setting, within one of ESU’s residence halls.
The lecture series is part of the Residential College programming we intend to offer to all students, particularly those majoring in fields of business and management, in a more relaxed and social setting instead of happening in a classroom or lecture structure. It affords our students the opportunity to interact with the guest lecturers on a more personal level and, we hope, will encourage them to ask questions, be curious and inspired by the stories of these regional business and industry leaders.

Dr. Sylvester Williams, dean of ESU's College of Business and Management

In his role of President of External Affairs, David leads AT&T’s public policy and community and philanthropic initiatives throughout the states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

David works closely with state and local elected and appointed officials along with business and civic leaders to advance AT&T’s brand and interests in the two states. David has maintained various roles in External Affairs for over two decades with AT&T. Prior to joining AT&T, David served in senior roles in the Administrations of former Pennsylvania Governors Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker, including positions in the Department of Community and Economic Development and as Director of Policy in the Governor’s Office.

David currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Foundation and the West Virginia Education Alliance. David is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a proud part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and has his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Lebanon Valley College in Annville. David lives in Palmyra, Lebanon County with his wife and four children.

Crayola LLC, based in Easton, Pa. and a business of Hallmark Cards, Inc., is the worldwide leader in children’s creative expression products. Known for the iconic Crayola Crayon first introduced in 1903, the Crayola brand has grown into a portfolio of art tools, crafting activities and creativity toys that offer children innovative ways to use color to create everything imaginable. Consumers can find the wide array of Crayola products in the “Crayola Aisle” at all major retailers.

College of Business and Management Residential College

The Crayola Executive Lecture Series is a program of the ESU's College of Business and Management residential college. Through the residential college, students become an integral member of their community through their interactions with their peers, taking courses together, studying in groups, working in teams, and bridging the classroom experience by taking the learning to conversations over dinner with faculty and attending presentations by guest speakers, participating in community service, engaging in professional development workshops, and utilizing campus resources that are made available to their Residential College.

For more information about the COBM residential college, contact Dr. Sylvester Williams, dean of the College of Business and Management.

For assistance or special accommodations, please contact swilliams@esu.edu or (570) 422-3589. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, services for physical, cognitive, visual or auditory assistance.

For more information about the Residential College Executive Lecture Series, please contact Dr. Sylvester Williams, Dean at (570) 422-3589.

Contact Information

Campus Address: Rosenkrans Hall East 123A
Phone:: (570) 422-3589
Fax:: (570) 422-2704 (Fax)

Title of Department Leader: Dean, College of Business and Management
Name: Sylvester E. Williams, IV, JD, MBA, CCLE
E:: swilliams@esu.edu