UMaine students take top awards at international business competition

A team of University of Maine students won two awards at the 2019 International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition in California.

The six Maine Business School students won first place in Written Documents and second place in Overall Performance in one of five “worlds” at the April contest.

The yearlong simulation required teams to manage all aspects of a company for 20 quarters — from writing a strategic business plan and annual report to presenting to a board of directors.

Team participants included Eduardo Anzurez, vice president of production; Alison Berube, COO; Thomas Giggey, CEO/president; Casco Haley, CFO/vice president of finance; Megan Howes, vice president of marketing; and Samuel Varga, vice president of human resources.

Throughout the competition the group was advised by Matt Skaves, lecturer in finance and accounting; Jason Harkins, associate professor of entrepreneurship; and John Mahon, the John M. Murphy Chair of International Business Policy and Strategy and professor of management.

“The advisers are really proud of this year’s team,” says Skaves, who accompanied the team to California. “It’s the first time UMaine has come away with two awards in this competition, and it’s the highest we’ve placed in Overall Performance.”

The student team will offer their award-winning presentation to UMaine faculty at 4 p.m. May 7 in the D.P. Corbett Business Building, Room 218.