THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS - SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019 Keynote Speaker: 10 a.m. Graduate Ceremony Rick Miller, M.B.A. ‘91 RICK MILLER founded the Avamere Group in 1995, with the acquisition of a single skilled nursing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon. With a progressive agenda to keep seniors healthy, independent, and in their home of choice for as long as practical, he led the growth and diversification of Avamere until 2012, when he became the Board Chair. Rick returned in 2018 as the CEO. In 2010, Rick co-founded the venture capital firm, Rogue Venture Partners. Rogue invests primarily in Oregon based entrepreneurs and early stage businesses with funding and mentorship. Rick currently serves on the boards of Diabetomics, NemaMetrix and Oregon Health Care Association. He previously served as chairman of Portland State University Board of Trustees, Oregon Investment Council, Oregon Health Care Association, American Health Care Association and the Portlandbased chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. Keynote Speaker: 1 p.m. Ceremony Rakuten Yaz lida, B.A. ‘91 YAZ IIDA is President of Rakuten USA, Inc. the Americas regional headquarters of Global Innovation company, Rakuten Inc. Yaz is the driving force behind Rakuten’s success in the Americas region following the company’s acquisition of Linkshare in 2005. Now called Rakuten Marketing, the now global ad tech company launched Rakuten’s presence in the United States. Under Yaz’s leadership from Rakuten’s Americas regional headquarters in Silicon Valley, the company is accelerating its growth through acquisitions and investments. The company has embarked on strategic partnerships with major brands in the U.S., including the multinational retailer Walmart, fitness innovator Spartan Race, NBA all-star Stephen Curry and Curry’s Underrated Tour, and the reigning NBA Champion Golden State Warriors as their first-ever jersey-badge partner. Yaz has held executive-level positions at a number of global brands including Gillette, Disney, and Dyson. As President of Dyson, he led the company from an unrecognized consumer electronics company to becoming the number one vacuum cleaner brand in Japan. Yaz holds a B.A. in Law from Nihon University, a B.A. in Marketing from Portland State University, and an M.B.A. from Nihon University Graduate School of Business. 14
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