MUNCIE, Ind. - Business executives of Indianapolis-area high tech start-ups wanting their firms to prosper may turn to an innovative Ball State University program for assistance.

The Information Technology Executive Academy is designed for chief executive officers and other upper-level managers who face the challenges of an increasingly competitive, technology-focused environment.

"The program is for executives of entrepreneurial information technology firms that have successfully moved beyond the start-up phase and are poised for long-term growth," said Frank Sabatine, dean of Ball State's School of Continuing Education and Public Service. "The academy teaches executives to think strategically and apply their skills into practice right now."

The program covers everything from customer-driven value to weaving information technology into basic business processes to managing organizational change, he said.

Indianapolis was selected as the academy's site because the community is a centralized location for the state's growing technology business field, Sabatine said.

"We've already attracted several major IT executives for the initial program this fall," he said. "The program should expand over the next few years to meet an anticipated growing need in the field.

"The intensive six-session program begins Sept. 7 and runs through Nov. 30 at the Plum Creek Country Club in Carmel.

The facility offers a retreat-like atmosphere, a comfortable meeting room and attractive dining accommodations for each session that may last up to nine hours. Cost is $7,500 per person.

The seminars are led by certified industry experts, industry practitioners and qualified faculty focusing on hands-on knowledge in the classroom, Sabatine said.

Among the academy's faculty are Donald F. Kuratko, founder of Ball State's nationally ranked entrepreneurship program; Ray Steele, founding director of Ball State's nationally ranked Center for Information and Communication Sciences; Ramon Avila, director of the Professional Selling Institute at Ball State; Jim W. Wheeler, a partner with Arthur Anderson and head of its Indianapolis' office of strategy, finance and economics division; and William C. Jeffries, an international consultant who specializes in human and organizational behavior.

Additional information about the program, including dates, times and instructors may be found at www.bsu.edu/cor or by calling Delaina Boyd, director of the Center for Organizational Resources, at 1-800-541-9313.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Sabatine by e-mail at fsabatin@bsu.edu or by phone at (765) 285-1582.)