Wendy’s CEO advises his alma mater’s graduates to be “adaptable and flexible”

<p>He became president and CEO of Wendy's in 2016 after joining the organization in 2013. Prior to that, he held leadership positions with the Kellogg Company and Ford Motor Company. Penegor is a member of the <a href="http://broad.msu.edu">Eli Broad College of Business</a> Advisory Board. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting in 1987 and an MBA in Finance in 1989, both from MSU.</p><p>“Growing up in the Upper Peninsula, I was focused on attending a Big Ten School,” says Penegor on the <a href="http://go.msu.edu/listen">MSU Today podcast</a>. “I looked at other schools but really knew that Michigan State was the school for me. I just felt comfortable there and I wasn't proven wrong. I loved being there my four years; I loved it so much I stayed there for graduate school.”</p><p>Penegor talks about what it means to him to be a Spartan. And he talks about how important it is for alumni to give back to their alma mater. Penegor and his wife named The Todd and Jill Penegor Large Team Room on the ground floor of the Broad College’s new Edward J. Minskoff Pavilion.</p><p>“I think about how much opportunity my alma mater has created for me. The school gave back a lot more than knowledge. The relationships, the connections, the comradery, and the pride, I thought it was important with the success that I've been able to have in my career to make sure that we give back.”</p><p>Penegor’s advice for the graduates?</p><p>“This year we spent a lot of time at Wendy’s trying to figure out how we'll lead a little differently and lead in a more remote work environment. Some of the messages will be some of the messages that I've shared with my employees at the company this year with the field team that I've tried to connect to differently and with our franchise community. And what you're going to really see is communication is key. People want to still be connected in this virtual world.</p><p>“You need to really be adaptable and flexible. We've all faced many curve balls during the year and you've had to manage throu