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Stories
Douglas Spreng (MBA 1967)
Douglas Spreng (MBA 1967)
Douglas Spreng (MBA 1967) has always been curious about technology and how things worked. However, while earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at MIT, he realized he didn’t have an affinity for product development. Wanting to be surrounded by technology in other ways, he applied to business school.
After four undergraduate years of problem sets and lab work, he found the class participation required by the HBS case method a bit daunting. “I was nervous about public speaking,” explains Spreng. “For the first month, I mostly sat back and observed before finally taking the leap and getting into the mix.” He grew to enjoy the classroom discussions and learning how to verbalize the analysis and arguments that he was comfortable making on paper.
“HBS taught us how to think as if we were the CEO, to consider the whole organization, and think strategically,” says Spreng. “It benefited me tremendously throughout my career.” He went on to a 40-year career in high-tech manufacturing and marketing, including serving as a group general manager of Hewlett-Packard, executive vice president of 3Com Corporation and CEO of Ubicom.
Technology advanced dramatically throughout his career, changing the way business operated and how people interacted in stunning ways. “To have managed a technical business throughout that period was an amazing experience,” says Spreng. “I was able to leverage my background in electrical engineering and business through decades of change.”
As his 50th reunion approached, Spreng considered what legacy he wanted to leave at HBS. In addition to including the School in his will, he established a charitable gift annuity (CGA). “I love the concept. A CGA allowed me to give something significant to HBS now,” says Spreng. “HBS didn’t have to wait for the bequest.” And he is receiving fixed payments for life from the CGA.
At his passing, the remainder of his CGA will support HBX, the School’s unique online platform. “I love the HBX technology; it is the next generation of business learning.” I want my gift to help the School continue to innovate and remain at the forefront of management education.”
Learn how you can support HBS with a charitable gift annuity.
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