Gary Hoover
Executive Director
American Business History Center
About Gary Hoover
I grew up in a General Motors factory town, Anderson, Indiana. My history teachers taught us about politics and war, but also about leadership and “management:” – generals, admirals, governors, Presidents. I asked about GM and they said, “they make Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac.” But I knew that already, I asked, “but who started it? Why did they start it? How did it become so successful? Who leads it today? Are they smart or stupid?” But no one could answer my questions.
Then I was in a newsstand with my family, and discovered Fortune magazine, which asked the same questions. The Fortune 500 issue had just come out. GM was the largest company in the world, at the top of the long list. So there were other big outfits like GM! I convinced my parents to get me a subscription. I was twelve.
So I have been fascinated with business, and with the other social sciences, all my life. Few things are as fascinating as how people get together in groups to achieve something they could not achieve on their own, which I call “enterprise.” Whether for profit or not
Gary Hoover
Executive Director
American Business History Center
Gary Hoover
Executive Director
American Business History Center
Gary Hoover's Recommendations
Zach Shoher Recommended Gary Hoover
If you read the recommendations here on LinkedIn, there are multiple common threads, but for me the best is: he pays it forward, and backward, and laterally, so that others benefit. I'd heard of him before I heard him, and I agree with all these other recs: if you get a chance to hear or meet him ... take it. He's pretty sharp, and knows how to communicate what he knows.
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Amanda Dewoody Recommended Gary Hoover
Gary is a gifted instructor and one of my all-time favorite teachers. His ‘Art of Entrepreneurship’ course changed the way I think about business and observe the world. Gary’s casual teaching style combined with vast knowledge, humble demeanor, and energetic passion for business makes every class a pleasure.
Do yourself a favor and enroll in ANY course that Gary offers. You will be glad you did!
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Lisa Baca Recommended Gary Hoover
Gary is one of the most knowledgeable and interesting people I know. His passion for entrepreneurship and learning is infectious, and his contributions to communities throughout the world, invaluable.
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Elayne (Foster) Crain Recommended Gary Hoover
Gary is a truly inspiring speaker and teacher and I highly recommend any of his courses or talks (or even just chatting with him at lunch!) His unique experiences and his genuine, open nature create a great an ideal atmosphere for the flow of ideas and introspection. Taking his course on Entrepreneurship last fall was the penultimate push towards me finally starting my own business, Austin Sugarworks, and I'm so glad I was able to have his guidance in getting there.
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