LAMP Alum Eric Orme - Consultant, Legislative Assistant, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Meet LAMP Alum Eric Orme - (1994 Economics BA, LAMP honors). Eric came to IU wanting some sort of business degree, but was interested in a variety of other subjects. When former Kelley School of Business Dean Jack Wentworth told Eric about LAMP, he knew right away that it would be a good fit.
After graduating from undergrad, Eric worked as a consultant for PwC and as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Joe Knollenberg before receiving his MBA from IU in 1998. Post-MBA, he worked for General Mills and Boston Scientific. Since then, Eric has worked for/founded seven startup companies in the healthcare, telecom, and social networking industries, which you can learn more about on his LinkedIn page.
Tragically, Eric lost his wife to cancer very soon after a cancer diagnosis in 2018. He created a foundation in her memory - The JMO Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit that provides scholarships and resources for minority students and charter schools. He has raised about $100,000 in her name, and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2019 to fundraise.
Eric’s advice to current LAMP students is “don't just give it lip service - but commit to lifelong learning and be great at adapting to change. If you do those two things, you will always be fulfilled, happy and creating an impact.” Regarding careers, he says, “look at your early career as 'free learning' that you actually are getting paid for...then look at your mid career that way...then even late in your career. If you keep that mindset, you will always love your job and career.”
Thank you, Eric, for sharing with us! We love to hear from our alumni about their unique experiences and accomplishments. We invite LAMP alumni of all ages to fill out our Stay in Touch form on the LAMP website.
Feature compiled in November 2020 by LAMP Alumni Relations intern Makynsie Bancroft; edited by LAMP staff Laresa Lund.
