Highlights
- Endowed Emory University’s W. Cliff Oxford Executive MBA Program
- Atlanta Entrepreneur of the Year
- Philanthropic Educational Commitment at Every Level
- Created First Business Show on CBS for Entrepreneurs
- Introduced New Model for Entrepreneurial Education
- Innovated Entrepreneurial Investment Banking Concept
- Defined and Demonstrated IT and Customer Service Best Practices for
Fortune 500
- Inc 500 – 3 Consecutive Years; Ranked 13th Fastest Growing Company in
America
Internationally successful Atlanta entrepreneur, W. Cliff Oxford marked his initial entrepreneurial success as the founder and CEO of STI Knowledge, Inc., a pioneering first market mover in developing knowledge-based systems and services for the Fortune 1000. STI Knowledge was considered a cultural phenomenon with worldwide organic growth. In 2000, the company was recognized as the 13th fastest growing company in America and was listed on the prestigious Inc. 500 for 3 consecutive years. With a vision for heightening entrepreneurial education and giving back, Oxford endowed the Emory Executive MBA in 2004, now known as the W. Cliff Oxford Executive MBA at Emory University. Combining his passion for education and commerce, Oxford founded and is currently the CEO of Entrepreneur Advisors whose mission is to provide a Better Business Life for Entrepreneurs.
While attending the University of West Georgia, Oxford worked part-time loading trucks at UPS. After graduation, UPS hired Oxford full-time and he became its youngest district manager at age 23. While at UPS, Oxford developed a technologically advanced help desk system for the corporate enterprise. In the first year, UPS recognized Oxford for saving the company over 250 million dollars. In 1995, he left UPS to start STI Knowledge. Oxford shaped STI Knowledge into a global technology leader with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Hong Kong and the Philippines. After completing due diligence and a thorough examination of STI Knowledge, the highly regarded Gartner Group rated and documented the company as a “Visionary and Execution” high-tech leader that set the global standard for the customer experience in information technology. Gartner’s research was supported by the fact that 87% of the Fortune 1000 had become certified on the STI Knowledge Standards and Best Practices. The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce recognized the company’s accomplishments by naming Oxford “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2000. In 2003, he sold STI Knowledge to Mellon Bank Ventures and a group of global investors.
Oxford obtained his MBA from Emory in 1994. As part of his endowment, Oxford enhanced the MBA program with an entrepreneurial curriculum and focus. Within 2 years of the endowment, the program was ranked No. 6 in the world by Business Week magazine. In addition, the program was ranked No. 4 among students and No. 3 in the management skills category of the Wall Street Journal’s survey of Executive MBA programs. Top ranked universities, such as Harvard, followed by offering Entrepreneur degrees in their MBA programs.
Oxford has become an active investor and leader with eight entrepreneurial enterprises. Oxford was the Chief Investor and Chairman of the Board of NetworkD prior to the company being sold to Vspring in 2008. NetworkD provides systems life-cycle management to organizations worldwide. Oxford gained valuable merger and acquisition experience when he combined five home technology companies into one brand company. Also, as a consultant to Fortune 1000 CEOs and executives teams, Oxford helps large companies acquire and successfully assimilate entrepreneurial companies.
In 2008, The University of West Georgia (UWG) nominated Oxford for the prestigious Regents’ Hall of Fame Alumni Award presented by the University System of Georgia Foundation. UWG believes that what sets Oxford apart from other successful entrepreneurs is his genuine desire to inspire and empower others in pursuing their dreams. Oxford continues to give back to his community in many ways that include big and small endeavors. He has made a positive impact in his hometown by furnishing a new computer system and network for the Southside Baptist School in Waycross. In addition, he provides his time and resources to several causes including ongoing support to low-income families and assistance for HIV/AIDS research at the Emory Vaccine Center.
Finally, Mr. Oxford has underwritten a new television show to profile entrepreneurs called “The Next Tycoon,” which aired on CBS in September. The programming is competition-based and exposes aspiring entrepreneurs with well-presented business plans to national opportunities and a broadcast television audience. The show provides positive encouragement during difficult economic times and has the potential of getting national exposure.
Mr. Oxford explains, “I think the strong response we received with very little advertising and very little promotion was because it hit a cord of hope with people. Starting a business in a downturn economy, every day you face the mountain, and I think something like this gives people hope that they can make it to the top of the mountain.”
Presently, Mr. Oxford is the Founder and CEO of Entrepreneur Advisors, Inc. where he continues his passion for education and commerce. The company creates, produces and delivers award winning entrepreneurial education through monthly symposiums, The Entrepreneurial MBA and Thought Leadership Conferences and Advisory. Entrepreneur Advisors is also delivering a new brand of Investment Banking for Emerging Mid-Cap Companies that are ready to declare leadership in their category, own the brand and set the standards and Best Practices for their industry. Mr. Oxford has made Entrepreneur Advisors the one place where education meets commerce. The Atlanta Business Chronicle and Bizjournals endorse Entrepreneur Advisors educational events.