If you have ever had Pringles, Milano cookies, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, Nutri Grain bars, Farmhouse cookies or V8 juice, you have a connection to Tim Hassett ’86. With a resume chock-full of treats for both humans and animals, he returned to campus for his March 12 School of Business Lecture.
Hailing from Buffalo, NY, Hassett graduated from Siena with a BS in Marketing and Management in 1986.
“Will you ever use your major,” Hassett asked the group of Saints. “The answer is yes- I graduated with a degree in marketing and management and that’s essentially what I’ve done my entire career.”
As a senior at the College, Hassett didn’t think he had a shot when Procter and Gamble came to campus to interview students. Turns out, he was one of only two students the company decided to hire from his class. He stayed with the company for 15 years, working in sales, marketing and business development. He then continued on the business track and served in senior leadership roles for both Kellogg’s and Campbell’s. In 2014, Hassett was appointed President of Americas for Beam Suntory, one of the world’s largest premium spirit companies.
Hassett’s passion is in exploration – from stocking grocery store shelves at Proctor and Gamble to working with celebrities on endorsement deals – he continues to chase opportunities to learn and grow.
Recently, he embarked on a new journey – Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program, a 2-year program condensed into 8 weeks. Not only was it eye opening from an academic standpoint, but Hassett was able to connect with leaders from all over the globe- learning about their businesses and cultures. Reliving his college days, he lived in a dorm with 7 other people, hailing from South Africa, England, Russia, Australia and Canada.
“I never would have expected friends and connections to be the greatest outcome.”
Hassett’s most recent adventure has been his new role- CEO of TDBBS, Inc., a dog treats and chews company. While he has only been there just over 100 days, he says he has learned more in those 100 days than he has in the last 10 years.
No matter what company he is at or what role is taking on, Hassett keeps his Siena family close to his heart. He and his friends from Siena make a commitment to each other to meet annually, no questions asked. Their reunion, on the third week of every September, brings together 8 to 10 Saints, ranging from CEOS, owners of law firms, judges, CFOs, to executive directors of health facilities.
“It may sound corny but Siena, for me, in a word is family.”
In his closing, Hassett provided some words of wisdom to the Saints in the audience. He urged them to show up with a positive attitude, work hard, ask a lot of questions, do their homework and work well with others.
“How you conduct yourself as you advance your career will go at least as much as the technical mastery you will bring.”
