Eren Ozmen

Eren Ozmen[1]
Born	Mucur, Kırşehir, Turkey
Residence	Reno, NV
Nationality	Turkish-American
Alma mater	University of Nevada, Reno (MS)
Occupation	Entrepreneur
Known for	Owner Sierra Nevada Corporation, Dream Chaser
Net worth	US$900 million (June 2015)[2]
Title	President of the Sierra Nevada Corporation
Spouse(s)	Fatih Ozmen
Website	www.sncorp.com/AboutUs/ErenOzmen

Eren Ozmen is the President of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). Eren Ozmen and her husband, Fatih Ozmen, are the sole owners of SNC. Under their leadership, Sierra Nevada Corporation has become one of the Top Woman-Owned Federal Contractors in the United States.^[3]

Early life and education

In the early 1980s, Eren Ozmen came to the United States from Turkey to pursue higher education.^[4] In 1985, she earned her master’s degree in business (MBA) from the University of Nevada, Reno and in 1988, she joined Sierra Nevada Corporation. Eren Ozmen and her husband Fatih Ozmen acquired Sierra Nevada Corporation in 1994.^[5]

Career

Following the acquisition of Sierra Nevada Corporation, Eren Ozmen and Fatih Ozmen took an active role in the management of the company. Under their leadership, Sierra Nevada Corporation has acquired 19 companies and has expanded to six business areas in 34 locations in 19 U.S. states, England, Germany and Turkey.^[6]

Philosophy

Eren Ozmen has prioritized maintaining a healthy work-life balance by promoting family-friendly policies within the corporate culture. In 1991 she established an on-site daycare for employees to use.^[4]

SNC has been recognized by its employees in the areas of team effectiveness, trust with coworkers, manager effectiveness, feeling valued and people practices.

• Employees voted SNC as one of Reno-Tahoe's "Best Places to Work" in 2009,^[7] 2011,^[8] and 2012.^[8]
• Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Colorado location was recognized as "Denver's Best Places to Work" by the Denver Business Journal in 2012.^[9]
• In 2010, Florida Trend Magazine named Sierra Nevada Corporation among "Florida's Best Companies to Work".^[10]

Philanthropy

In 2014, Eren and Fatih Ozmen donated $5 million to the University of Nevada, Reno to create a permanent center for entrepreneurship at the university’s college of business. The Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship will support and enhance the university’s entrepreneurial programs in order to stimulate the creation of new business ventures. ^[11]

In May 2016, the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship launched a Women's Initiative aimed toward connecting innovative female entrepreneurs with leaders and established professionals and business owners in the community. It will also highlight female business achievements in and around the community.^[12]

Honors and Awards

• World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space, Fast Company Magazine ^[13]
• America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies, Inc. Magazine ^[13]
• Tier 1 Superior Supplier for U.S. Air Force ^[14]
• Aerospace Company of the Year ^[15]
• Top Women-Owned U.S. Government Contractor ^[16]
• Fastest Growing Women-Owned Company in North America ^[17]
• Aviation Entrepreneurs of the Year / Living Legends of Aviation^[18]
• Most Influential Turkish-American Woman, No. 2 TurkOfAmerica ^[19]
• Top 10 Most Influential Turkish Americans, TurkOfAmerica ^[20]
• Top Woman-Owned Firm for excellence in using innovative information technology solutions ^[21]
• Women Role Model of the Year ^[22]
• Distinguished Business of the Year ^[22]
• Family Owned Business Award – Nevada Business Magazine ^[23]

Honorary Doctorate

• Honorary Doctorate of Science – University of Nevada, Reno (2016) ^[24]

References