Successful alumnus addresses graduates

Penn State McKeesport alumnus James E. Minarik, classes of '75 and '77, encouraged graduates at the campus' spring commencement ceremony to be persistent, to focus on the present and to commit to lifelong learning.

"It is very tough to see the future or to recognize change and innovation as it is actually happening, it is only when we look back like this that we can get any real perspective about how many changes we deal with year in and year out," he said.

This spring, Penn State graduated a total of 10,726 students -- approximately 634 with associate degrees, 8,381 baccalaureate degrees, 1,356 graduate degrees, 120 medical degrees and 235 juris doctorate degrees. That figure includes 42 associate, 6,731 baccalaureate, 723 master's and 230 doctoral degrees awarded at Penn State University Park, in addition to degrees awarded at Penn State Great Valley, Penn State Hershey, Penn College and the University's other 20 locations. To see pictures from ceremonies from across the University, as well as pictures of graduates celebrating their achievements, visit http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2005_05_16_commencement/index.html

Minarik, president and chief executive officer, as well as partial owner of Directed Electronics in Vista, Calif., also encouraged the 59 new graduates to give back to their communities. He has been the driving force behind Directed Electronics Charitable Foundation, which raises funds for charities aiding disadvantaged youth.

A West Mifflin native, Minarik was active in student activities at Penn State McKeesport, including Delta Kappa Phi, a social/service fraternity that raised funds for community projects. "He was an obvious leader from day one," said Sam Zabec, recently retired senior instructor.

"I particularly value the foundation I received at Penn State McKeesport. It did a tremendous amount of good for me," remembered Minarik, who studied at the campus from 1971 to 1973. "John Beatty, dean of student affairs at the time, and a friend, helped set direction in my life. He had a way that went beyond the professional aspects of his job that really connected with me."

Minarik continued his marketing studies and honed his business skills at University Park campus. As a consultant for the Student Government Association, he developed and managed JEM Productions, which provided student entertainment and paid a percentage of the profits to SGA. Within a few years, JEM Productions had expanded its payroll to include several student employees, and Minarik was earning enough to pay for some of his college costs. He received his bachelor of science in marketing and business administration in 1975. He completed his master of business administration in 1977.

Minarik's post-University plan was to work for a major company. A meeting with Ed Anchel, a 1960 Penn State graduate, who owned a car stereo company (Sparkomatic) in nearby Milford, with $20 million in sales, changed all that. "He recruited me to help grow the business. He topped my best offer out of the MBA program, which was higher than what AT&T had offered and included a car," remembers Minarik.

In the early 1980s, Minarik was involved with Sparkomatic's acquisition of Altec Lansing, the maker of home and car speakers. He helped move the company into the computer speaker business. "As the world of multimedia expanded, we made the sound a much better experience," he said. Over his 15 years with the company, he held positions ranging from sales coordinator to senior vice president of sales and marketing, and sales grew to more than $125 million.

He then moved to California and Clarion, the world's largest independent maker of car stereos, where as president he initially ran their "aftermarket" business. During the 1990s, Clarion's aftermarket sales grew from $25 million to $150 million. Minarik was promoted to chief executive officer of Clarion Americas group, which included both the sales of all Clarion brand products and products made specifically for OEM car makers like GM, Ford and Nissan, and by 2001, he was responsible for more than 5,000 employees and sales of nearly $700 million.

Today Minarik is president and chief executive officer, as well as a partial owner of Directed Electronics, the country's largest manufacturer of vehicle security and convenience systems, sold under the brand names of Viper, Clifford, Automate and others, as well as a wide array of other mobile and home electronics products sold under the brands such as Precision Power, Orion and Definitive Technology. The company's products are sold at leading retailers throughout North America and in 46 countries around the world.

Like the other firms he has been involved with, Directed Electronics has grown considerably -- today the firm has annual sales of more than $200 million.

"Jim Minarik is one of Penn State McKeesport's many success stories. He has accomplished a great deal in his industry and his community, and his willingness to give back to his alma mater is an inspiration to us all," said Campus Executive Officer Curtiss E. Porter.