The education Ron Eller received at Purdue University provided a foundation for success through an unusual career progression. His love of aviation led him to earn a professional flight degree. He discovered, however, that a career in flight was not as enticing as flying itself, so he applied his Purdue-inspired thought processes, analytic skills, and discipline toward a business-related career.
That turned out to be a very worthwhile decision. Eller retired this year after 14 years at Hewlett Packard, which were preceded by 10 years as a management consultant. In all respects, Eller had a stellar career, leading growth, mergers, innovation, transformation, and business strategies with exceptional results. He is thankful for the “good, solid counselor” he found in Tom Carney, aviation technology department head, throughout his adult life.
His expertise has been sought on several boards and councils as well. He served on Denver’s Committee for Development of Denver International Airport; as director of an economic development agency and of Houston Hospice; and as director or adviser to several information technology companies. He continues to serve on Purdue’s Advancing Aviation steering committee and has been active in The Indus Entrepreneurs since he became a charter member in 2003.
With additional free time, Eller looks forward to traveling and becoming more involved with his community. He also will advocate for environmental and conservation efforts.
Eller and his wife, Beth, reside in Fraser, Colorado. They have two adult children.
This was originally written for the Distinguished Technology Alumni Awards in 2008.