Doug Wilwerding S3E118

Venture capital investor and retired executive, Doug Wilwerding, talks about the example set by his entrepreneurial father, finding his own way into effective leadership, and the lessons he learned in business and life. Wilwerding also shares the evolution of his personal values and perspective on the American Dream.

Doug Wilwerding’s business career spanned from the 1980’s through 2020. Following his leveraged buyout of Omnium Worldwide in 1998, Wilwerding served as Chairman and CEO until selling the company to West Corporation in 2007. In 2008, after completing post transaction integration and leadership transition, Wilwerding left West Corporation to form The Optimas Group, a venture investment firm. Wilwerding is a frequent guest speaker and has taught as an adjunct professor at Creighton University. He holds BSBA and MBA degrees from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado. He and his wife have three grown daughters and four grandchildren and live in Omaha, Nebraska, and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Wilwerding is an avid cyclist, fly fisherman, snow skier, hiker, reader, and writer.