BOONE, N.C. — The Appalachian State University Alumni Association has named Ronald “Steve” Norwood ’80, of Raleigh, a 2019 Outstanding Service Award recipient. Norwood was presented with his award during the Appalachian Alumni Luncheon held Friday on the university’s campus as part of homecoming weekend for his exceptional service to the university.
Norwood holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing and computer science from Appalachian and is the founder and CEO of Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems (CARS) in Raleigh — a leading provider of software and services for repossession management and remarketing.
“Steve is passionate about innovation, which aligns with the Walker College of Business’ vision and values,” said Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris, dean of Appalachian’s Walker College of Business (WCOB). “Steve frequently brings his entrepreneurship energy and expertise to the classroom, sharing a wealth of knowledge and passion with future business leaders at Appalachian.”
As a member of the advisory board for Appalachian’s Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship, Norwood shares his business acumen to support the center’s mission of helping students, faculty, staff and alumni develop and launch new business ventures.
In this video, Appalachian State University alumnus Ronald “Steve” Norwood ’80 discusses his entrepreneurial journey and the foundation for success he gained through his Appalachian education. Watch to learn more about Norwood, one of two recipients of Appalachian’s 2019 Outstanding Service Award.
In 2016, he provided seed funding for the WCOB’s Student Venture Fund — a program that enables current students to launch new businesses while promoting local and regional economic development. The fund is the first of its kind at Appalachian and one of only a few in the University of North Carolina System, according to Norris.
Norwood also has made possible the inaugural WCOB Alumni Startup Jam, an event that each year will allow Appalachian alumni to pitch business ideas to those who might provide the resources required to bring the ideas to fruition.
After graduating from Appalachian, Norwood spent 11 years building a career around selling complex engineering and process management systems, during which time he said he gained a more in-depth understanding of how technology is developed. He then began working with start-up companies in the mid-90s, helping these companies grow.
Around 2005, Norwood found himself in the position to form his own business, and he worked with colleagues to develop an idea that eventually became CARS.
Nearly 15 years later, the business, which started out of his home office, employees about 100 people and was recently included in Inc. magazine’s list of the 5,000 most successful companies in America.
Of his Appalachian Experience, Norwood said, “It’s been one of the highlights of my life.”
“I look at Appalachian as a family,” he said. “That strong family that’s in the mountains is very important to me — a key part of my life and a key part of my success.”
What do you think?
Share your feedback on this story.
About Alumni Affairs
The Office of Alumni Affairs provides networking opportunities, affinity program discounts, alumni chapter gatherings and special events, merchandise and travel tour options to Appalachian State University alumni.
The Appalachian State University Alumni Association consists of nearly 142,000 living App State alumni. Membership is free and open to all graduates of App State. The association’s mission is to help alumni remember their App State Experience and stay connected with current Mountaineers, and to work to ensure that those experiences are available for future App State alumni by raising support for the Alumni Memorial Scholarship and The Appalachian Fund.
About the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management
At Appalachian State University, students in the Walker College of Business’ Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management learn to drive industry initiatives that develop customer satisfaction and retention, contribute to company profits and build connections with suppliers, distributors and the community. Students majoring in marketing may select a concentration in general marketing, digital marketing or sales. Students majoring in supply chain management (SCM) learn about logistics, operations, strategic sourcing, process improvement strategies and supply chain technologies, enabling them to compete in the global marketplace and help future employers reduce costs, improve profits and expand their markets. Learn more at https://marketing.appstate.edu.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling approximately 3,000 undergraduates in 10 majors and more than 180 graduate students in three master’s programs, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System. Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.