Case Competition Scoops Up a ‘Sweet’ Deal for Mary Wash Business Students

A University of Mary Washington capstone experience offered a sweet treat to business students this semester.

Teams from the 400-level Strategic Management course came together to analyze a business scenario involving a four-way merger that produced Canadian ice cream company Top Glaciers. They presented their findings – including proposals for how to increase profits – last week at the annual Endowed Live Case Competition. The Shark Tank-like event, held in Woodard Hall, features real business professionals as judges, real cash prizes for winners and scoops of real-world experience.

“An event like this simulates real-world scenarios and allows students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom throughout their academic careers,” said College of Business Dean Filiz Tabak. “It helps them develop practical skills such as presenting in front of experienced judges, problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership and team building. These are invaluable skills for career success in the business world.”

Sprinkled on top, the winners – seniors Jenna Diehl and Brian Gaydos, who put forth a partnership and co-packaging plan – walked away with prize money of $3,500. Second place received $1,000; third place took $500.

Brian Gaydos and Jenna Diehl answer the judges’ questions following their presentation at the Case Competition. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Case Competition judge Linda Blakemore was impressed by the bar chart UMW students Jenna Diehl and Brian Gaydos shared during their presentation. “When you put your bar chart up, I said, ‘Finally, a bar chart.’ Numbers are important,” Blakemore said. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Business students Jenna Diehl and Brian Gaydos talk before the competition begins. The two won the judges’ favor, capturing prize money of $3,500 to split. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW business students Jenna Diehl and Brian Gaydos show off their first-place prize – a check for $3,500 – during the College of Business Case Competition. The judges said they were impressed by the pair’s answering of their questions, and their presentation of a timeline and current financial analysis. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

“The winning team really knocked our socks off,” said Andrew Blate ’04, who sponsors the competition along with business partner Craig Schneibolk of the D.C.-area remodeling company Beautiful Home Services. “They gave a very well-thought-out presentation, in a professional and detailed manner, and answered our questions thoroughly.”

Each year, UMW business professors select a scenario – last year’s involved a California-based street-sweeping company – and ask students to research the case, identify potential problems, come up with possible solutions and share their findings via video. Top performers become finalists should they choose to compete in front of a panel of judges, with 15 minutes to deliver their projects and five minutes for questions and answers.

Andrew Blate ’94 (left) and business partner Craig Schneibolk of Beautiful Home Services share their opinions with business student presenters at the Case Competition. The two sponsor the competition and started an endowed fund to cover the annual award money, totalling $5,000. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

The four judges in this year’s Case Competition for business students include, from left to right, Andrew Blate ’04, his business partner Craig Schneibolk, Linda Blakemore ’84 and Lou Marmo ’94. The juges deliver comments in ‘Shark Tank’-style … but nicer. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW business alums Linda Blakemore ’84 and Lou Marmo ’94 were among a panel of four judges at last week’s Case Competition for business students. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Lou Marmo ’94 looks over his notes from each student-team’s presentation during the College of Business Case Competition. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Tossing around terms like total asset turnover, profit margin and return on investment, they shared market analyses and ideas for continued success and expansion. Teams took unique approaches, choosing to double down on niche markets, form partnerships with dairy farmers, branch out to foreign markets and get creative with byproducts like fruit pulp and peels.

“Talent is being produced in front of us right now,” said Blate, who started an endowed fund with Schneibolk to cover the annual award money – $5,000 in total. Joined by fellow judges Mary Washington alumni Linda Blakemore ’84 and Lou Marmo ’94, they peppered the contestants with questions in Shark Tank-style … but nicer.

“Who’s your competition?”

“What about shipping costs?”

“Did you look into Japan’s import laws?”

Blate sees the endeavor as a bit of tough love.

But, he said, “In my heart of hearts, I hope that one day I’ll read in the Wall Street Journal that one of these teams has started the next big thing that does great things for people. The relationships and the seeds for that are planted here today.”

From left to right: Daniel Blanc, Thomas Martinez and Rachel Oestrike present during last week’s Case Competition. The team placed second in the contest, taking home $1,000. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

From left to right: UMW students Emily Beckner, Rushil Irfan, Amanda Hagino, Gregory Keehan and Brendan Pacious present during last week’s Case Competition. The team won third place, earning $500. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW business alum and businesswoman Linda Blakemore ’84 pens the check to the winners of the College of Business Case Competition. Students Jenna Diehl and Brian Gaydos received $3,500. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

From left to right: Case Competition judges and UMW alumni Linda Blakemore ’84, Andrew Blate ’04 and Lou Marmo ’94 deliberate in a secluded room following the Case Competition presentations. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.