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As vice president of marketing and business development for Data Drive Thru, Inc., a leading provider of intelligent computer cable products that facilitate data transfer between PCs and laptops, Clint Hughes knows a thing or two about networking. The company’s patented TornadoTM product enables individuals to connect any two computers and quickly locate and copy files to and from each system. After selecting the Cox Executive MBA program based on the school’s strong reputation, Hughes continues to give and receive value from the Cox network. SMU Cox recently sat down with Hughes to get his thoughts on the value of his SMU Cox degree.
- Briefly summarize your educational and professional experience before you attended the Cox School.
I got my BA in journalism from the University of Houston in 1979, and later earned my Executive MBA from SMU Cox in 2000. Before joining Data Drive Thru, I ran my own consulting business and worked in a variety of senior marketing and business development positions at several companies, including FlagshipASP.com/Flagship Systems, DirecTV/Primestar, and Harborage I, Ltd.
- Why did you choose to attend the Cox School?
My wife got her undergraduate and master’s degrees at SMU. And SMU has a phenomenal reputation.
- Which courses in your Cox EMBA program proved to be most helpful in getting you to where you are today, and who were your professors in those courses?
The various strategy courses taught by Gordon Walker have proved to be the most valuable to my career thus far.
- What were the most important skills you acquired and lessons you learned in those courses?
I learned to think about how to outflank the competition.
- As a student, what aspects of the Cox network did you benefit from?
As a student at Cox, I took advantage of the Associate Board executive mentoring program, the alumni network, and the BLS and MBS executive speaker series. I became a mentor this year, and I currently mentor four students. Dr. Bobby Lyle and Jim Young, both on the Associate Board, have been very influential in my life recently.
- What value do you think the Cox network provides to students?
You can have the best product and tons of money but if you do not work your network, you will not get any traction.
- What are your professional goals?
Exactly what I am doing now – to be the vice president of marketing and business development for a hot consumer electronics product.
- How have you achieved those goals since you graduated from Cox?
Networking, persistence, networking, blood, sweat, tears, more networking more persistence and a very supportive wife. Did I mention she’s an SMU alumna?
- What was your first big break that proved to be instrumental to your success?
In 1988, I got international recognition for conducting the “Hop till You Drop” competition to set the Guinness Book of World’s Record for one-footed non-stop hopping – it’s a long story.
- Where will you go from here?
In a year or so, I plan to publish a book based on everything I have learned and accomplished thus far. And then I’ll seek to become a keynote speaker at various gatherings.
- What advice would you give to students wishing to succeed in the technology business today?
Pay attention to your finance classes – it is all about the bottom line… and cash flow is king!
- Any other advice you’d offer?
Get involved in all the opportunities SMU offers. I am very thankful that Kevin Knox, executive director of the Cox Alumni Association and assistant dean of External Relations, is in my life and a very good friend. That is the best gift SMU has given to me.
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