On Thursday, Xavier University hosted a special lunch event for Alum Sang Joon (Steve) Lee in Cintas Center.
Steve, who graduated from Xavier with an MBA in 1974, is
one of the most highly decorated and experienced global entrepreneurs to have graduated from the William’s College of Business’ distinguished program.
Xavier University’s William’s College of Business put on the
event not only to honor Lee, but also in hopes that the students in attendance would take away some of his pearls of wisdom. After graduating from Xavier, Lee returned to Korea to work with SsangYong Paper Company,
where his entrepreneurial expertise and creative influence enabled SsangYong to win over foreign investors and reach new heights of success. Lee moved from SsangYong
to Procter and Gamble’s South Korea division. He wasted little time in climbing the ranks and was named the Senior Vice President of External Relations, the secondmost
powerful position in the division. Since the start of his professional career, Lee has worked for and has affiliations with almost 20 companies. At the luncheon, Lee highlighted the importance of building solid long-term relations, to which he largely attributes his success. “Developing strong relationships with partners, customers,
suppliers and co-managers is so important in being a success,” Lee said. When Lee attended Xavier, the
fact that he was the only South Korean student did not hinder him, and he made long-term friendships with his two roommates Joe Rippe and Bob Sherman. Lee is currently the Chairman of six companies spread across
three countries: the United States, the Philippines and South Korea, where he resides. He and his roommates were known as “The Three Musketeers” and, ironically, during his latest stay in Cincinnati, the three of them
went to see The Three Musketeers movie together.