Top Story
March 31, 2009
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Successful exec shares biz savvy
On April 9, the Department of Management in Metropolitan State College of Denver’s School of Business is kicking off its “Executive on Campus” program with American Furniture Warehouse President and CEO Jake Jabs. The program, on an annual basis, will bring successful, high-profile business and thought leaders to campus to interact with students.
“We are excited for our students who will benefit from the insights of one of the best known and most successful entrepreneurs in Colorado,” says Dean of the School of Business John Cochran. “This is a powerful blend of theory and applied learning for them.”
The initiative supports Metro State’s commitment to urban engagement by building and maintaining relationships between the College and the regional business community.
While on campus, Jabs will visit management classes and give a public presentation. He will address how to succeed in challenging times through entrepreneurial innovation and how to be of service to your customers and the community. His public presentation, which is free and open to the public, will be on the Auraria Campus from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, April 9 at St. Cajetan’s Center.
American Furniture Warehouse, under Jabs' leadership over the last three decades, has expanded from one store into a 12-store operation that has experienced a remarkable growth trend over the years. As he has been since the beginning, Jabs is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company and also leads the company's team of buyers - even taking multiple buying trips in the U.S. and overseas per year himself.
Today, American Furniture Warehouse, which is headquartered in Englewood, is one of the top retail furniture companies in the U.S. With sales topping $330 million in 2008 and with 1,500 employees throughout Colorado, American Furniture Warehouse is one of the largest privately held businesses in the state.
“Jake Jabs was our first choice among an impressive list of Colorado business luminaries,” says Assistant Professor of Management Stuart H. Warnock, who worked on the selection committee. “He typifies our Metro State students, who are ordinary people aspiring to do great things enabled by hard work and perseverance.”
