Alumni

Alumni Sketch: Paul Eichelman ’86

Paul Eichelman ’86 is the newest member of the College of Business Administration National Council. Eichelman was elected executive vice president and appointed chief financial officer of Leo Burnett Worldwide in 2004. He joined the Chicago-based advertising agency in 1991.

In 2004, at the age of 39, he was the youngest global chief financial officer in Leo Burnett’s 70-year history. He is responsible for the financial operations of the network’s 96 offices in 84 countries. Prior to his global appointment, Eichelman lived in London and was regional finance director for the agency’s European region. He also served as finance director for Leo Burnett’s U.S. operations from 1999 to 2001.

Paul Eichelman ’86

Residence: Hinsdale, Ill.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Valparaiso University, 1986; Master of Business Administration, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, 1996.

Family: Married to Laurie for 17 years, with four children, Lindsey, 11; Nicole, 9; Hannah, 7; Evan, 15 months.

On his education: “Like most things in life, you never appreciate it when you’re going through it; only afterwards. Looking back, I now realize that my experiences at Valpo have helped shape me personally and professionally. Whether it was the recognition of Valpo’s academic reputation by a prospective employer or the realization that balancing work, play and spiritual time is just as important now as it was back on campus, the Valpo experience is a lasting one.”

On his career: “Each of the companies I have worked for, each of the positions I have held, and each of the experiences I have lived through (whether good or bad) has afforded me countless opportunities to grow and learn. By taking advantage of those opportunities and taking some risks along the way, I now find myself in one of the best jobs imaginable. While finance and accounting are not viewed by many as ‘sexy or exciting,’ they are truly the core foundation of any successful business.”