Lazin Series Brings Leaders into the Classroom

Lebanon Valley College recently hosted the 18th annual Lazin Distinguished Leaders-in-Residence Series. Established by Malcolm Lazin, Esq., ’65 in honor of his father, Dr. Norman Lazin ’37, this academic enrichment program brings alumni and local business leaders to campus for a two-day series of campus activities and in-classroom involvement. Residents are invited to teach, observe, or participate in the classroom and meet informally with students and faculty throughout the series. 

This year’s residents included Stephen Van Der Ploog, founder and chief accountability officer of Candoris Technologies; Doug Henry, president of Henry Molded Products Inc.; Deb Brandt, owner and creative director of Fig Industries; and Dan Robey, Esq., ’72, attorney and regional manager of Robey, Teumer, Drash, Kimbrell, & Counts.  

Van Der Ploog founded Candoris, a technology integration firm that focuses on data center solutions, IT services, application development, and Salesforce.com consulting in Annville in 2010. In 2016, Candoris was named to Inc. Magazine’s 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. The company was also among the top 500 fastest-growing companies in the region as ranked by Central Penn Business Journal in 2016.  

Van Der Ploog enjoyed his first experience as a Lazin Resident. “It was an honor and I was treated very well by the LVC family. I enjoyed the engagement with the students, faculty, and staff.”

Henry’s company, founded by his father in 1963, manufactures molded fiber packaging and containers at its headquarters in Lebanon and a plant in South Carolina. The products are made from pre-and post-consumer newsprint, Kraft paper, and other selected waste papers, and are 100% recyclable. Henry engaged with students in the business and economics classrooms, discussing sustainability.

Brandt returned home to Lancaster in 2000 after launching her career in New York City’s luxury goods industry—including working as an art director at Ralph Lauren Fragrances and then as the creative director at Parfum Givenchy. Brandt has poured her energy and passion into celebrating Lancaster’s rapidly evolving downtown. 

Under her creative direction, Fig—a hyper-local print, web, and social media presence—has offered both voice and vision for the city’s revitalization during the past seven years. Seeing the world through Fig-colored glasses, Brandt’s mission is to create a sense of a place that everyone can feel proud of and rally around, ultimately changing the way people view a city—for good. As a Lazin Resident, she spent her time in the Digital Communications Department discussing advertising and the history, theory, and practice of social media. 

Robey ’72 was drafted to the U.S. Army to serve in Vietnam while attending LVC as a history major. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring in 2004 as lieutenant colonel. He received several military honors, including service awards for time in Iraq and Bosnia.  

After earning his J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law, Robey entered private practice. His firm is part of Nationwide Trial Division. As regional manager for the operations of Nationwide in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware, he oversees 75 employees, including 38 attorneys.

Robey litigates large loss cases and insurance coverage cases. He still enjoys being in the courtroom, helping to mentor younger attorneys, and managing the business aspects of his firm. 

“I had a fantastic time meeting with students and faculty, and spending time enriching—and being enriched—by this wonderful experience of the Lazin Series,” said Robey. “I am honored to have been selected to participate in this year’s event.” Robey shared his expertise with students in the Business Law Philosophical Foundations of Politics classes.

A special thank you to Malcolm Lazin, Esq., ’65, emeritus member of the LVC Board of Trustee, for supporting this annual event in honor of his father, Dr. Norman Lazin ’37.