Alvernia has named Greg Header, entrepreneur and namesake of the university’s Header School of Business, as the university’s executive-in-residence for the 2024-25 academic year.
Throughout the year, Header will share his knowledge of business leadership and entrepreneurship with the Alvernia community, and will lead a series of events.
To kick off the program year, “A Conversation with Greg Header” was held Oct. 16, led by Travis Berger, dean of the college of business, communication and leadership. Header provided an inside look at his professional journey and the principles that have guided his career, followed by a Q&A session. More than 250 Alvernia students, alumni and faculty attended the kickoff event.
Additional engagements by Header throughout the academic year will include a keynote address during the spring semester and as keynote speaker for the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society’s induction ceremony in May.
“I am honored to serve as the executive-in-residence at Alvernia University,” Header, a 1997 graduate, said in a statement. “This institution has played a significant role in my journey, and I look forward to giving back by sharing my experiences with students. My goal is to help them recognize their own potential and seize the opportunities around them, just as Alvernia did for me.”
Header is an accomplished business professional, entrepreneur, innovator and community leader, the university said in a release.
He held and was awarded more than 50 patents and is the co-founder of Solar Innovations, an architectural glazing system company acquired in January 2022 by Fortune Brands, a Fortune 500 company. He also received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Alvernia University’s Annual President’s Dinner in 2022.
Header serves as CEO and owner of IRT Reels, the best-in-class American-made custom fishing reels; CEO and owner of Universal Clamps, a manufacturer of aluminum roof clamps and snow guards; and CEO and owner of Header Trading Companies and Escapes Limited.
In 2023, Alvernia’s business school was named after Header, following his alumni donation to the school.
“We are excited to welcome Greg Header as this year’s executive-in-residence,” Berger said. “His entrepreneurial success, deep connection to the university and dedication to creating opportunities for others make him an ideal mentor for our students.”
Alvernia’s executive-in-residence program was launched in 2017. It provides students with the opportunity to engage with prominent leaders in business and industry. Each year, the selected executive offers mentorship and guidance, connecting academic learning with real-world experiences, officials said.
