Rob Mathews
Executive Director of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute
Dr. Rob Mathews is the Director and Operations Manager of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at Ball State University. He is also an Instructor of Management in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship Center in the Miller College of Business. Mathews has also led courses in market research, the business plan, entrepreneurial design, entrepreneurial decision-making, entrepreneurial consulting, management ethics, venture leadership, marketing for new ventures, and entrepreneurial finance.
In his role in the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, Mathews maintains the Institute’s budget and leads faculty, staff, K-12, adult, and community entrepreneurial leadership and problem solving training and facilitation programs.
Mathews previously served as the Assistant Director of the Entrepreneurship Center in the Miller College of Business. His primary role was to mentor students on researching, compiling, writing, pitching, presenting, and defending new venture business plans. He also led student teams in entrepreneurial consulting projects. During his tenure in the Entrepreneurship Center, the Entrepreneurship Center earned various accolades, such as U.S. News & World Report national rankings (numerous, most recently 2016), 2013 USASBE National Model Program Award, 2013 GCEC Excellence in Specialty Entrepreneurship Education Award, and the #1 ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 special issue on Most Impactful Classrooms on the Outside World. He also led student teams in the Military 2 Market initiative between the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division and Department of Defense. He has also aided the Entrepreneurship Center in various outside partnerships. Mathews has also been involved in budget management, curriculum development, business community and advisory board relations, and led youth programs, Mini Society and EntrePrep. He served on the selection committee for the Blue Chip Enterprise awards. Mathews won the Entrepreneurial Support award in 2001 and 2006 for his contributions to the Ball State University Entrepreneurship Program.
Mathews earned his undergraduate degree in entrepreneurship and MBA in entrepreneurship and management of information systems from Ball State University. While earning his undergraduate degree, he received the Outstanding New Venture Plan Award. Mathews earned his doctorate in Higher Education with a cognate in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship from Ball State University.
Rob is the co-author of Entrepreneurship the Disney Way and the co-creator of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Instrument. He is a certified trainer, facilitator, and consultant in the Simplexity Complex Problem Solving Process. He is trained in Simplexity Applied Creativity levels I (Personal Integration), II (Team Integration), III (Organizational Integration), and IV (Train the trainer), as well as having the designation of Professional Innovation Advisor (PIA). He is also a certified Gallup StrengthsFinder and Builder Profile-10 (BP-10; formerly Entrepreneurial Profile-10), Myers-Briggs, DiSC, and Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile coach and facilitator.
Mathews was part owner and Vice President of San Marco Realty, Inc. San Marco Realty, Inc., a retail home improvement business as well as a real estate company located in Marco Island, Florida. During his tenure in the business, he led a complete remodel that resulted in more than a 200% increase in revenues. Mathews was also owner and Managing Member of 67 Realty, LLC in Pendleton, IN, a retail home center and property management company, where he managed all strategic activities of the business, including marketing, finance, and seasonal procurement. Mathews was a finalist for the Hardware Retailing magazine's Young Retailer of the Year Award in 1999 and 2000, and his business was a finalist for True Value Company's Best Hardware Store in Town Award in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Rob is co-owner of Mind2Momentum and M&W Faithful Enterprises. Mathews enjoys his family, golf, softball, attending sporting events, and church activities. He and his wife, Julie, have been married for 22 years, and have two children, Nate (12) and Lindsey (9).