The “Where are they now?” series looks at how Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute shaped the lives, entrepreneurial journeys and career paths of its alumni. Tony sent us this story following the launch of OEInext.com. Email your story.
Tony Schutt 
OEI Class of 2008
I saw the OEI email update the other day and it struck me — wow I can’t believe how fast time flies! As a member of the 2008 OEI class, we are almost 9 years better. A lot has changed since that week in Okoboji, but my time there is still very relevant to my current (and future) success.
After graduating from the University of Iowa in December of 2008 (Accounting, Entrepreneurship), I started my career with RSM McGladrey in Kansas City. I spent two years auditing financial statements of dozens of middle market companies in the Kansas City area. Every two weeks was a new (and intense) learning experience ranging from craft brewing to city government.
In 2010 I returned to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, taking a new position with Deloitte. There I was able to develop deep expertise in large SEC public company operations in casino gaming and aerospace manufacturing. Though I was surrounded by some of the smartest people I’ve ever met, I needed something more. These companies were huge and had departments layered on top of departments. Alas, my entrepreneurial spirit was stuck.
I took a chance in 2013, relocating to Dallas, Texas, with a team I had never met. With operational responsibility and complete financial accountability, I dove into the highly entrepreneurial world of home building at PulteGroup. Having no previous experience in real estate or construction after the largest real estate collapse in U.S. history, I quickly established myself as an expert and leader among my peers across Texas.
After three short years in the industry, the company promoted me to Vice President of Finance of the company’s most sizable and profitable division here in South Florida. Last year we built over 1,300 new homes from Sarasota to Naples at an average price of over $400,000. Suffice to say this isn’t a small business, but I continue to think and act like an entrepreneur every day. Land acquisition, site planning, golf courses, amenities, construction, and close of escrow all fall under my influence. If we don’t go fight to win every day, someone else will.
Lessons I still carry from the week at OEI in 2008:
1. Learning doesn’t stop when degrees are printed.
2. There are no shortcuts.
3. Integrity and character matter — a lot.
Thankfully, no one has asked me to explain the miserable failure that was “STAR Computers” back in 2008! I look forward to hearing more about the successes of OEI classes soon.
Are you an OEI alumni and want to share how OEI shaped your entrepreneurial journey and/or career path? Email your story to Tim Weideman. New to the OEI community? Learn more about OEI.