ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University and In His Steps Foundation are sponsoring a lecture by André Thornton, president and CEO of ASW Global LLC, and former major league baseball player with the Cleveland Indians.
The event, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, at 7 p.m. in the John C. Myers Convocation Center on the Ashland University campus, is part of the inaugural Gordon E. Heffern Applying Christian Ethics in Business Lecture hosted by AU’s Richard and Sandra J. Dauch College of Business and Economic.
The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending should RSVP to Wendy Cawrse at wcawrse@ashland.edu
“We are very excited to have Andre’ Thornton here for our inaugural event in this new series,” said Dr. Jeff Russell, dean of the Dauch College of Business and Economics. “This event reflects Gordon Heffern’s legacy of integrating his strong Christian faith with a successful business career.”
Russell said friends and family of Gordon Heffern have created an endowment with AU, which will support the ongoing series of these lectures. “In His Steps Foundation, founded by Gordon Heffern, also is providing matching financial support and strategic advice to help make this inaugural lecture a success,” he said.
Thornton acquired ASW Global in January of 2007 after ASW merged with the Cleveland-based company GPI Procurement Services. As the chief executive officer, Thornton sets the direction of the company and directs operational aspects so they follow the strategic plans and policies of the organization.
Thornton has 20 years of experience in entrepreneurial ventures. As one of the principals in Apple Partners, he led a highly successful restaurant management group that was sold to Applebee’s International. Thornton also founded a successful consulting and sports management company and continues to speak nationally on executive leadership, organizational change and diversity.
Thornton played professional baseball for 21 years and was an honored recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in 1979, which goes to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and team contribution. He spent 10 seasons with the Cleveland Indians where he was a two-time All-Star and received the coveted Silver Slugger Award in 1984. Additionally, Thornton was inducted into the Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.
Thornton graduated magna cum laude, obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Capital University. He co-authored the book “Triumph Born of Tragedy” and was twice featured in McGraw-Hill/Irwin national educational videos for his entrepreneurial and marketing leadership success at GPI Procurement Services, where he served as president and CEO.
Currently, Thornton is on the board of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Greater Akron Chamber and holds the chair for the Ohio Region of the International Warehouse and Logistics Association. His leadership roles also include serving as Kent State University President’s Ambassador and he is a member/graduate of Leadership Cleveland 1997.
Thornton and Heffern served as co-chairs of the June 1994 Billy Graham Crusade at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Thornton has three sons and lives with his wife, Gail, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
