Graduate students win first place and $6,000 in business competition

Three MBA students from the Seidman College of Business won first place and $6,000 in a case-study business competition designed to give business and finance students real-world experience.

Robert Walmsley, Brent Pelishek and Russ Duba earned top honors competing in the annual Association for Corporate Growth Western Michigan’s ACG Cup. 

Teams from Davenport University, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Cornerstone University and Grand Valley competed in the final round February 25. The awards were announced March 21 at the ACGWM Outstanding Growth Award reception at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Teams from each school analyzed complex business cases and presented strategies including identifying capital markets and developing merger/acquisition alternatives and financing options. Professionals from the corporate community and ACG membership served as judges for the competition. 

Walmsley said the competition gives students insight into mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, financial advising and private equity.

"In analyzing the case we were given, finding the right balance of technical finance, high-level strategic thinking and concise communication was critical for success," said Walmsley. "While I have worked for several years in corporate finance, I didn't have experience with mergers and acquisitions. The ACG cup was a tremendous professional development opportunity which will pay dividends for me throughout my career."

Duba said the experience offers students an opportunity to get in front of professionals who do this type of work every day, get feedback outside of an academic setting and network with others in the field.  

"Grand Valley prepared us for the competition through mentoring and coaching on the technical aspects of mergers and acquisitions, as well as the practical aspects by bringing people in from the field to advise us," said Duba. "We also learned how to approach problems strategically, not just mathematically."

Pelishek said: "My background is engineering and program management. Participating in the ACG Cup has peaked my interested in an area of business that I knew little about prior. I'd like to someday own a business and understanding mergers and acquisitions will prove valuable in pursing those aspirations."

The winning MBA team is awarded the ACG Cup title and a $6,000 cash prize; the winning undergraduate team is awarded a $3,000 cash prize.