Alumni Award Recipients

George Friberg
Erna S. Fergusson Award, 2009

"I don't know if there's a surprise in the box," says George Friberg's boss and longstanding friend, Sherman McCorkle, referring to George. Here's what we aren't surprised about.

First of all, George is humorous. He likes to joke. In fact, he likes to joke so much that almost before he says hello, he'll start to tell you about that poor confused Aggie who really can't manage for himself.

But Sherman says George's ability to be humorous and to joke comes part and parcel with his success in de-escalating difficult situations. It's not just the humor, he says, but the timing. George's skills in reading people and situations and making everyone comfortable make him an unequalled business negotiator.

Second, we aren't surprised that George is analytical, as an engineer should be. Sherman says George lines things up and works through a process, from beginning to a milestone to a midpoint to a milestone to an end.

George's combined people and technical skills have brought him success not just in his current position as senior director for business assistance at Technology Ventures Corporation, but in his prior work as well, whether managing multi-million dollar manufacturing concerns or small entrepreneurial companies.

Third -- no surprise -- George's years as Lobo quarterback in the early 60s had a huge impact upon his life and work. His fondest memories and most frequent topic of conversation pertain to sports.

Sherman attributes much of George's leadership skills to his experience in team athletics.

George is a "transformational leader," says Kim Feldman who has worked closely with George on alumni Lettermen and Legislative matters. Through his actions, words, and passion, he moves a group to a higher level.

Fourth, who would be surprised that George's faith is of paramount importance to him? His actions -- such as serving on the board of Noon Day Ministries -- have shown that.

Fifth, George is a family man who adores his wife and high school sweetheart, Mary. No surprise there. We see the two together at all our events—last year dressed as pirates for homecoming! George's office is full of photos of Mary and their children and grandchildren, all decked out in Lobo red.

Finally -- and I've saved the most pertinent unsurprising thing for last -- George loves UNM, something he has demonstrated over and over again.

George has been on the UNM Foundation board since 1999, a position he moved into after serving as president of the Alumni Association board during the Association's centennial celebrations in 1997.

George was the founding chair of the Alumni Association's Lobos for Legislation committee, which formed in 1998. In the nine years that followed, Lobos for Legislation became a primary tool of the university for securing its priorities with the New Mexico Legislature.

George holds both a bachelor's of mechanical engineering and an MBA from UNM, and he is an adjunct faculty member at both the School of Engineering and the Anderson School of Management. He has been inducted into the Anderson School Hall of Fame.

George has also been inducted into the Alumni Lettermen's Athletic Hall of Honor.

That George has no surprises is perhaps one of the most complimentary things one person could ever say about another. It pays tribute to George's complete honesty, openness, good faith and good actions.

It comes as no surprise, that we are honoring George with our Erna Fergusson Award.