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CASE STUDY | Economic Development, Enterprise & Civic Engagement LNJ 1992 Dennis Bone, Director Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship at Montclair State University, retired President and CEO, Verizon
We interviewed Dennis Bone at a seminar where he was a panelist about issues related to entrepreneurship. LEAD NJ: You've been with Lead New Jersey for many years participating in our different panels and events, so what makes Lead New Jersey special, and how have you benefited from it as an alumni throughout your career?
DENNIS BONE: Lead New Jersey's been very important in my career in things that I've accomplished. From the class of '92, I made several really good friends, not just friends, but people who I worked with for many years in government, in other businesses, in not for profits, in different organizations. Not only did it lead to contacts and resources from my class. Also once you join the LNJ family, you have lots of potential folks out there to help you, so I have leveraged the contacts and LNJ fellows over the years many, many, many times. Again, many are friends, but many are just really good terrific resources that I've worked with. Moreover, the program itself, when we tackle each of these big issues facing New Jersey or facing society, you get a perspective you didn't have before. I think it makes all of us better leaders to understand the complexities of a failing social services system or challenges in education, or healthcare, or economic development. LEAD NJ: Is there a particular memory from LNJ or a particular issue that you learned more about or grew your interest and experience in from your LNJ experience?
DENNIS BONE: Some very clear memories from my LNJ experience was sitting in Trenton State Prison and having lunch with 3 convicted murderers serving life sentences and hearing how honest they were to talk to. They told me about their life, what happened. DENNIS BONE: To be a successful entrepreneur the skills that you need are the exact same skills that any corporation or organization is looking for today—because of the challenges of business models failing more quickly, of technology impacting, of all of these startups. That entrepreneurial spirit and that entrepreneurial mentality and the ability to solve problems and look outside the box, so to speak, very important. LEAD NJ: How would you encourage LNJ fellows, current or past, in civic leadership or public service?DENNIS BONE: Get involved. We always look around and see things that we don't like in the political discourse, in policies, in systems, and structures, and organizations that are failing or that we can clearly look at and say, "How could that be better?" You know you can't fix any of those by sitting on the sideline. You have to get involved in some way. By the way, I would also say that there are lots of ways to get involved at one level or another. Just if you don't like the direction your city is going in where you live, then get involved. Do something. LEAD NJ: What’s your thought on the future of New Jersey?DENNIS BONE: Looking at the future, I am an eternal optimist. I know we have big challenges in New Jersey, but at the same time, I see great promise in the students I work with, in partners, in entrepreneurs that I talk with, so yes. I choose to believe and I'm convinced that our future is very bright. |
