Westminster College Trustee Speaks to Students on International Business

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Peter Andino `77, Westminster College associate trustee and alumnus, spoke to Westminster students in November about his perspectives on international business and career and life choices. The presentation was hosted by Westminster's Department of Economics and Business.

Andino is the vice president for global sales and Cisco alliance at IBM Sales and Distribution. Topics in his presentation included: the world's best companies for leaders; learning what employers value; Westminster "Points of Pride;" mastering your destiny; and success, life and happiness.

"Westminster College has a great reputation as an outstanding liberal arts institution. When I arrived as a student, it somehow felt 'comfortable' and friendly, almost like being at home," Andino said. "My priority and desire was to get a well-rounded education, growing personally, academically, and hopefully professionally. I realized soon after graduation and upon entering the business world that Westminster helped prepare me to compete extremely well at IBM with peer college hires all over the world -- many with more advanced degrees."

"My math major and computer science minor helped me logic through some awful tough business challenges and work them through, logically and often times with innovative thinking....and surprisingly my Spanish double major, helped further my career 22 years into IBM, when running our sales operations in Latin America. Having graduated and worked in various locations around the U.S. and worldwide, I can attest that Westminster continues to have a great reputation as a well-rounded liberal arts college that continues to prepare students extremely well for the dynamic, complex challenges of today's world."

"Peter Andino's presentation was very helpful to me as a college senior. He really helped me to understand that when going out into the world and getting interviews that credentials and a resume can only get you so far and that you have to sell yourself to the company," said Patrick Stretavski. "It was very insightful and he helped me to understand that although a company may ask for a certain amount of experience it does not mean they will not be impressed and hire somebody with less experience, but the right attitude."

Stretavski, a business administration major, is a son of Patrick and Tina Stretavski of Bairdford and a graduate of Deer Lakes High School.

"Listening to Mr. Andino speak on his personal experiences in entering the business world, particularly the way he handled interviews with potential employers, was very beneficial to us," said Brian Miller.

Miller, a senior business administration major, is a son of Larry and Patricia Miller of Bellevue and a graduate of Northgate High School.

Andino, a resident of Norwalk, Conn., was first elected to the Board in 1996 and was re-elected in 2000, 2005, and 2009. He received his undergraduate in mathematics and Spanish from Westminster, and a master's in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Contact Dr. Jacque King, assistant professor of business, at (724) 946-7163 or email for additional information.

Peter Andino '77, Westminster College associate trustee and alumnus.