11/21/2007 - Competitive spirit led Jim Scherr ’89 to the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, where the freestyle wrestler reached the semifinals — what he called “a seminal moment” in his life. Placing fifth, the experience helped direct his subsequent career, including his enrollment at Kellogg and his graduation from the school’s Part-Time MBA Program.

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Watch video of Jim Scherr's visit

He shared details from that journey with Kellogg students Oct. 9 and 10 as the Beacon Capital Partners Executive in Residence.

Today the CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Scherr recalled the challenges of leading the USOC during a difficult transition. “There was significant organizational dysfunction for years,” he said, but by pursuing “authentic leadership” that is transparent, accessible and accountable, Scherr has driven success at USOC.

“Take accountability and make decisions,” he told students during his visit. “Decisions will make themselves unless you make them when they hit your desk.”