Executive in Residence program brings Calwell home

Ken Calwell, Chief Executive Officer of Papa Murphy's International, will be honored as the 10th Oscar S. Stauffer Executive in Residence March 26-27 at Washburn University.

A native of Topeka, Calwell earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Washburn University in 1984 and later earned a Master in Business Administration from Indiana University in 1986. He began his career in the food service industry in 1986 as assistant marketing manager for Pillsbury in Minneapolis, and has served in various leadership positions at Pizza Hut, Frito-Lay, Wendy's and Domino's Pizza. He was recruited by Papa Murphy's in June of 2011 and was promoted to CEO and board of directors member in late December of 2011.

The Executive in Residence program provides an opportunity for the Washburn and Topeka communities to interact with top corporate executives. Honorees demonstrate exemplary leadership as chairman of the board, chief executive officer, or president of a major corporation.

The program honors the late Oscar S. Stauffer, founder of Stauffer Communications Inc. and Topeka newspaper publisher for 40 years.

Calwell will be the featured speaker at the following events:

• Tuesday, March 26, 2013
  5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. — Student and Community Seminar (open to the public)
  "Serve with Purpose" Making a meaningful difference in the lives of customers, owners and community starts by building your company on the foundation of serving others with purpose.
  Room 100, Henderson Learning Resources Center
• Wednesday, March 27, 2013
  10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. — Student Seminar (open to Washburn students)
  "1^st Choice Brand" There is only one “Customers’ 1^st Choice Brand” in a category. Learn the steps Papa Murphy’s has taken to build “Customers’ 1^st Choice Brand” in the Pizza category.
  Room 100, Henderson Learning Resources Center
• Wednesday, March 27, 2013
  11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Luncheon (registration required; $30/person) "Strength Through Diversity" Diversity is a key building block of a high growth culture. When you value diversity, you value the power of team.
  Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center