Zach Hoover
"My return on investment in the WEMBA program has been incredible. Pursuing an MBA has proven to be the single most impactful decision I made in preparing for a new career. As a general manager in a small business, I serve as a multifaceted professional, balancing roles as an accountant, strategist, marketer, and team builder daily. While the leadership challenges were familiar, the business challenges were not. I quickly found myself applying what I was learning in real-time within days of learning it."
Weekend Executive MBA
Industry:
Prior Education:
Naval Postgraduate School, MS Defense Analysis
Texas State University, BST Construction Management
Reflections
I pursued an MBA to better position myself for the transition from the military to the private sector. I knew I wanted to add value from day one in my next role, and that meant gaining a stronger foundation in business fundamentals. After researching several programs, I chose the Weekend Executive MBA (WEMBA) at Fuqua because of its ideal blend of in-person and distance learning, its reputation as a top-tier MBA program, and the Team Fuqua culture I experienced firsthand during a WEMBA open house. The level of talent I saw in the classroom—from both students and professors—was incredibly motivating. I knew that Fuqua would equip me with the tools I needed for success in the next phase of my career, and just as importantly, surround me with a team to help me get there.
Without the MBA education and the Team Fuqua network, I would be in an entirely different place professionally. My number one recommendation to people looking to enter my field is to pursue an MBA. I was fortunate enough to do that at Fuqua with teammates who pushed me to be better. It’s a lot of hard work—but most things worth doing are.
Before Fuqua
I am the general manager of Blaze Heating, Cooling, Electrical, and Plumbing—Triangle, a home services company serving the greater Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. I oversee the day-to-day operations and hold ultimate responsibility for everything the company does—or fails to do.
After Fuqua
I want to continue growing in my role within my current company. The Weekend Executive MBA will equip me with the skills to expand our business in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area or take on greater responsibilities within the broader Apex Service Partners enterprise.
Top 5 WEMBA Experiences
-
Team-building exercises with Triangle Training Center
-
Team dinners
-
Explaining to your direct reports how the company will fix direct labor margins—roughly 48 hours after learning what a direct labor margin is
-
That moment when Managerial Accounting finally clicks—it’s like seeing the Matrix
-
Scoring $15 student tickets to a Duke basketball game
MSQM:HA students "meet" in Durham without leaving home
Global Executive MBA
Top Areas of Career Focus
Financial Services (20%)
Consulting (5%)
Sales/Business Development (5%)
Energy/Chemical/Gas (9%)
Marketing/PR/Advertising (6%)
Consumer Goods (3%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Non-US Citizenship
Women
Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University
Undergraduate Majors
Business/Accounting (51%)
Economics (22%)
Liberal Arts (14%)
Engineering/Natural Sciences (10%)
Other (4%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Non-US Citizenship
Women
Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business
Undergraduate Majors
Liberal Arts (33%)
Business/Accounting (24%)
Engineering/Natural Sciences (18%)
Economics (17%)
Other (8%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Non-US Citizenship
Women
Weekend Executive MBA
Top Areas of Career Focus
IT (16%)
Financial Services (14%)
Health Care/Health Services (10%)
Manufacturing/Operations (9%)
Sales/Business Development (8%)
Consulting (8%)