Sierra Nevada Corporation Owners Earn Honorary Doctorates from University of Nevada, Reno
SPARKS, Nev., May 24, 2016 – Eren and Fatih Ozmen, President and CEO of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), respectively, were presented with honorary doctorates of science from their alma mater, University of Nevada, Reno, Friday, May 13, 2016. In addition to receiving the honorary degree, Fatih delivered the commencement speech during the Spring Commencement Ceremony.
“You must imagine, and you must chase your dreams,” said Fatih, whose global aerospace and defense company this year won a competitive NASA contract for its aptly named Dream Chaser®spacecraft to service the International Space Station. “We have been to Mars 13 times and grew vegetables in space. We have protected our country and saved so many lives…We created thousands of jobs and made many more opportunities to make this world a better place….Can you imagine all that? Can you imagine this little company in Reno? This UNR student who was sitting in your chairs realizing these kinds of incredible dreams.”
Vice president for Student Services, Dr. Shannon Ellis, introduced Fatih to graduates as an entrepreneur and successful businessman who met his wife, Eren, as she earned her MBA and “together they pursued the American dream.”
That “American dream” got its start in the early 1980s when Fatih arrived in the U.S. from Turkey to pursue his master’s degree in electrical engineering after obtaining his undergraduate degree and enjoying a successful career as a national cycling champion. Eren arrived in Nevada shortly after and earned her MBA in 1985. Fatih, who started as an engineering intern at SNC, then just a small company with only a handful of employees, encouraged Eren to pursue employment with the firm. In 1994, the two acquired the company and from there, grew it into the SNC of today.
Home to nearly 3,000 employees worldwide and named one of “The World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space” by Fast Company, SNC’s Sparks, Nevada, headquarters is comprised of one-third University of Nevada alumni.
“What happened? Where did the three decades go? It feels like a dream. In fact it is a dream. That’s why it is called the American dream. This dream is based on hope, growth and optimism to reach our full potential,” continued Fatih. “Cherish the freedoms here. Only in America can you be nobody and come from any background, and grow to be a great person and accomplish great things. And the best part is, this dream is available to anyone – not just a select few.”
In addition to her MBA and honorary doctorate, Eren Ozmen received the College of Business Alumni Award in 2013. Fatih received the College of Engineering’s Scrugham Medal in 2009. Eren and Fatih were both honored by the Nevada Alumni Association in 2009 with the Professional Achievement Award. In 2015, they were both inducted into the University of Nevada, Reno Honor Court as Founders.
Additionally, in 2014, the couple established the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship at The College of Business. The Center’s purpose is to encourage collaboration across educational, professional and geographic boundaries. Beyond the campus, the center benefits the community, region and state through the development of ideas that translate to job growth.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) provides customer-focused technology solutions in the areas of aerospace, aviation, electronics and systems integration. SNC has been honored as one of “The World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space,” and one of America’s fastest growing companies. SNC’s diverse technologies are used in applications including telemedicine, navigation and guidance systems, threat detection and security, commercial aviation, scientific research and infrastructure protection. Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, SNC operates under the leadership of owners, CEO Fatih Ozmen and President Eren Ozmen, with a workforce of nearly 3,000 personnel in 33 locations in 18 U.S. states, England, Germany and Turkey providing global support to customers.
For more information on SNC visit www.sncorp.com and follow us at Facebook/SierraNevCorp. Sierra Nevada Corporation and SNC are trademarks of Sierra Nevada Corporation.
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Fatih & Eren Ozmen
Eren Ozmen
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