Trey Farley
tdf001@marietta.edu
The PioBiz competition came to a conclusion on April 1 when Thunder Resources and Gabrielle Simmons presented their business plans to three judges from area businesses.
Thunder Resources was voted the winner by the panel of judges and awarded a prize of up to $10,000 after a 15 minute deliberation. Thunder Resources is comprised of two individuals, Jon Hinson and Aaron Dillon. It is a business that aims to plug orphaned and abandoned wells in order to protect and preserve the environment from the by-products of these wells.
“We’re just glad to see that someone else believes in this idea as much as we do,” said Hinson. “This has been a goal of Aaron and I’s for quite some time now and it’s amazing to see it come to fruition.”
Simmons’ business “Gliding through the GRE” is a tutoring service that utilizes students with work-study programs to assist students in preparation for the Graduate Record Examination.
“Although I didn’t win, I was given several business cards on my way out the door of people and businesses who are willing to help fund my business and asked to attend a few meetings to discuss setting up funding as well,” Simmons said. “I want to congratulate Jon and Aaron on winning the competition and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Gliding through the GRE.”
The PioBiz competition is the brainchild of President Joseph Bruno, who has waited quite some time to see his idea in action. In an introduction speech for the competition, Bruno was very excited and “happy to see students making the competition all he wanted and more.” It seems that the Piobiz competition will not be a one and done event, as Bruno and competition coordinator Dr. Jacqueline Khorassani were very optimistic that the competition will become a mainstay at Marietta College.
“If there is anything I’ve learned in my time here is that if you put the word Pio in front of something it sticks around,” Bruno said.
