Albert Acevedo

LeBow College of Business, Drexel University

15 Word Description of Yourself: I’m a Mexican American who grew up in the Southwest side of Chicago. I’m married with 3 adorable children.

Age: 46

Hometown: Franklin, TN

Fun fact about yourself: I love to run. I’ve had a chance to run in over 20 different cities in 6 different countries.

Undergraduate School and Degree: DePaul University, Chicago, IL. Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics

Where are you currently working? Bridgestone Americas, Inc. I’m a corporate director of real estate and facilities management.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My most proud achievement was overseeing the site selection, development, design and construction of Bridgestone Americas Headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. The overall project consisted of uniting all of Bridgestone’s business units under one roof, which included relocating offices from Chicago, Indianapolis and Nashville. As such, the project also involved change management initiatives, which translated into the amazing design of a 30-story building in downtown Nashville.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? The flexibility of the program and the rigorous academic program. Even though I’m in my middle age and have excelled in leadership positions in my career, I didn’t want to enter in to a typical executive MBA program. I wanted to undertake a program that was intellectually and personally challenging.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part of being in an online program was having access to Drexel’s catalog of databases through Drexel Learn or Blackboard Learn. Having access at my fingertips through the online system allowed me to research or work at my studies at all hours of the day and night in the comfort of my home.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? The most surprising thing about online learning was how personable it could be even though you don’t get to see the other students. I got to know many of my classmates through Drexel Learn.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I had more collaborative sessions with classmates on the online program than in my undergrad studies.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Get to understand your learning cadence whether day or night; plan your studies accordingly and stay focused.  

How has your online education helped you in your current job? I’ve gotten a better perspective of the total enterprise. As such, career paths that I would not have ever considered have opened for me.

If you had to do it all over again, would you? Why? Yes. The program gave me the flexibility to learn and opened my eyes to many new professional opportunities.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term goal is to take leadership roles in different business and functional tracks and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

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