Students Gain Insights from Business Leaders at The James & Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership
Students at The James & Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership recently had the opportunity to learn from Dan Schatzman, UNM alumnus and chief executive officer of Jaguar Precision Machine Corporation (JPM). Schatzman visited two Operations Management classes taught by Assistant Professor Peter Thurston Carrera to share insights on New Mexico’s evolving business landscape and the opportunities available to the state’s future business leaders.
During his visit, Schatzman discussed the future of New Mexico’s economy, highlighting key industries such as oil production, the space industry, and artificial intelligence. He emphasized how growth and innovation across these sectors are creating new opportunities for students as they prepare to enter the workforce and take on leadership roles.
Schatzman was joined by other New Mexico business leaders, including Casey Anglada DeRaad, CEO and founder of NewSpace Nexus, and Anita Campbell, Existing Business and Workforce Engagement Manager at the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance. Together, they offered students valuable perspectives on the state’s business environment and its potential for future growth.
After class, a handful of students joined Dan Schatzman and Anita Campbell for lunch, where they had the opportunity to ask questions, gain valuable insights from their experiences, and learn more about their professional journeys.
Schatzman served as CEO of SpaceFund from 2023 to 2026 while concurrently holding his current position as CEO and owner of JPM. Previously, he served as president of National Specialty Alloys, Inc., and vice president of International Operations at Puffer-Sweiven. Schatzman also served nine years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of captain.
Schatzman earned his bachelor’s degree from UNM in 1987. He went on to earn a master’s degree in international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and an Executive MBA through Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth.