We always say that a Miami University education can take you anywhere. This has proven true for Bill Scroggie who is the Managing Director in South America for Penske Logistics. He currently lives in São Paulo, Brazil, where he directs business development and overseas operations. Penske Logistics Brazil employs over 1,700 associates in 27 locations, delivering value through design, planning, and execution in transportation, warehousing, international forwarding and carrier management for major industrial and consumer companies.
Mr. Scroggie earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami University in 1990 and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a concentration in strategic management. He has been involved with Penske’s employment recruitment efforts at Miami, and is a financial supporter of the University, and the men’s and women’s swim programs. Mr. Scroggie was glad to provide some insights for us about his unique experiences.
Tal Rosen: To what do you attribute your success in the business world?
Bill Scroggie: When I first graduated from Miami the economy was in a recession and I took a position with a trucking company that I had interned with as a student. I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I’d say that persistence propelled me into the career that I have today. Working with Penske on an innovative project involved taking risks, but they definitely paid off, both for the company and for me.
TR: What lessons learned at Miami have contributed to your career?
BS: Through my experiences as a student-athlete with Miami’s men´s swimming program and class group projects, I learned that building a strong team is the first step towards any goal.
TR: What aspect of your job are you most excited about?
BS: Every day I look for ways to grow the business and help it expand in positive directions. That’s why Penske is in Brazil - we see an opportunity for growth of our business in its strong economy.
TR: Speaking of Brazil, what are some of the challenges you face in working for a multinational company abroad?
BS: The real challenge is communication. Not only is my office 5,000 miles from company headquarters, but the language barrier and cultural gap are also obstacles. Misunderstandings in business can lead to frustration for both employees and clients. I’ve invested a lot of energy in learning about cultural differences to help us develop the best practices in this unique setting.
TR: What roles can institutions of higher education play in preparing students for a global marketplace?
BS: The best thing that schools can do is provide international exposure. In this regard, Miami continues to be on the right track, as it has been since I was there 20 years ago. I was involved in Miami’s semester abroad program in Luxembourg as a student. This experience helped me to understand the importance of considering cultural difference and shaping a business model based on cultural understandings.
Tal Rosen is an MBA student and the graduate assistant for the Office of External Affairs for the Richard T. Farmer School of Business.
