Chip Hiemenz, MBA ’12

​Loyalty Society member
13 years loyal

Chip Hiemenz, MBA ’12, believes in the power of St. Louis. After earning his BBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, and spending four years working in annual giving at SMU, the St. Louis native came home with the goal of making a difference — both in business and in the local community. Following a conversation with a mentor, Hiemenz was encouraged to pursue an MBA from Olin Business School. Thirteen years after graduation, Hiemenz still leans on lessons learned at WashU in his role as vice president of key accounts at Hunter Engineering Company, a St. Louis-based enterprise that designs, manufactures, and markets automotive service equipment in the U.S. and in 100+ countries around the world. Chip and his wife, Alexis, live in St. Louis with their two children.

How did Olin Business School prepare you for your career?

The community of professors and other students set the tone of professionalism and collaboration. We were invested, focused, and wanted to learn together. Specifically, the strategy course taught by Dan Elfenbein [professor of organization and strategy and associate dean, EMBA-Shanghai] was a great introduction to the world beyond business school.

Chip and his wife, Alexis, with their son, Quint (left) and daughter Mary Margaret. Chip says, “Growing up, my family instilled in me the importance of giving back. Education is one of the most powerful gifts that can be given, as it can never be taken away from someone who earns it. That’s one of the values my wife and I are trying to share with our children.”

My negotiations course with Hillary Anger Elfenbein [John K. Wallace, Jr. and Ellen A. Wallace distinguished professor and professor of organizational behavior] was absolutely vital. I still use lessons learned from both courses frequently, and they fostered an interest in lifetime learning for me.

How do you stay involved with the university?

I serve as the liaison from Hunter for the Brauer Lecture Series. Stephen F. Brauer, chairman of Hunter and an honorary emeritus trustee of Washington University, had a vision to establish a lecture series at the university that focused on the American free enterprise system. I had the opportunity to perform initial research into this concept and work with the university to help establish the lecture series. In collaboration with Olin, we have hosted three lectures thus far as we aspire to continue bringing in big-name keynote speakers for the benefit of our students and the WashU community.

What inspires you to support WashU?

Making a financial gift is the only tangible way to show your vote of confidence in the university. I remember making my first gift to WashU fresh out of the MBA program as a thank-you and acknowledgement that my tuition didn’t cover the true cost of my entire education. I was grateful that donors before me made my WashU experience possible, and it was important to me to develop the habit of investing in the university. Even if you start with a small gift, your support can grow as your career grows. I view annual giving as a way to entrust the university with resources to do what is in the best interest of both the university and students.

What excites you about the future of WashU?

Every great city needs a great university, and I believe WashU is that for St. Louis. We are a strong global brand, from research to education to patient care. But that greatness starts at home with the collaboration between WashU and our area’s business and civic communities. I certainly am bullish on the future of St. Louis, and I think that our future is going to rely on the strong tie between the university and our region. As Washington University continues to grow, prosper and improve, St. Louis is the true beneficiary. As a St. Louisan, that excites me.