CEO in Training
CEO in Training creates a gamified simulation offering participants the opportunity to manage a company operating in the competitive frozen sliced apple industry with responsibility for every aspect of the business.
Founder Profile
Eric Pickens is a seasoned business executive with almost 30 years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and board member. He has implemented, strengthened and lead the operating and financial functions for companies engaged in investment management, real estate, business services, consumer products, food production and hospitality in the United States, Mexico and Canada. He possesses a comprehensive knowledge across all corporate finance, budgeting, accounting, audit, tax and financial reporting functions. He also has extensive experience in structuring and closing equity, debt, merger, acquisition and lease transactions.
Mr. Pickens is extremely experienced at developing budgets, business plans and financial models; raising capital from both angels and institutions; recruiting and managing teams as large as 240; and implementing robust financial, operating & accounting systems. His experience managing the operations of an apple processing company providing frozen sliced apples to the baking industry with customers including Conagra, Mrs. smiths, Sara Lee and Nestles helped form the basis for the CEO in Training Program.
Mr. Pickens possesses extensive experience in finance, management and operations. He received his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in finance from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from The College of William & Mary.