Published on October 2, 2012 by Kara Kennedy  

Samford University's Brock School of Business has announced that Fernando Valentin, president of The Trinity Design Group and winner of the Birmingham Business Alliance's Executive of the Year, will serve as the Brock School's Executive-in-Residence for 2012-13. 

"We are excited to have formed the new Executive- in-Residence program with the Birmingham Business Alliance," said Howard Finch, dean. "Having Fernando serve in that capacity helps the Brock School continue its outreach to and involvement of our area business community." 

As an Executive-in-Residence Fernando will speak to students in small business and entrepreneurship classes, advise Brock School of Business Incubator tenants and participate as a judge in the annual business plan competition the Regions New Venture Challenge. 

"Fernando's entrepreneurial expertise will be a tremendous asset to our entrepreneurship program," said Franz Lohrke, chair, Department of Entrepreneurship, Management and Marketing. "We are thrilled that our students will have an opportunity to learn from someone who has built his business from the ground up."

Fernando grew up in Yonkers, N.Y., and joined the Marines in 1987. He served in Supply & Logistics in Operation Desert Storm.  He was awarded the USMC Certificate of Commendation for Commanding Officer 1st Battalion 6 Marines,The Navy Achievement Medal and other commendations. He left the military with an Honorable Discharge and continued to work in Supply & Logistics with Colgate Palmolive. He left Colgate Palmolive to start his own business, The Trinity Design Group, LLC. 

Trinity, a certified Veteran Owned Business and minority owned business, focuses on three divisions: TDG Packaging & Fulfillment, which focuses on environmental solutions & sustainable packaging, fulfillment, point of purchase, concept to delivery and digital printing services; TDG EnviroCare, focuses on recycling, waste to revenue and landfill reduction management; and TDG EcoSolutions, focusing on environmental and green cleaning products. 

The company since 2004 has seen sales have grow from $439K to more than $5 million today, with projections for continued growth and development at a pace expected tosurpass previous rates. 

Fernando also is involved in the community and he currently sits on the board of Lovelady Charities and maintains active involvement with Hearts4Kids, World Vision and others.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.