News
January 7, 2016Dr. Walt Robb’s Book “Taking Risks” Available Through Oakwells Gift Shops at Desmond Hotel and Bassett Medical Center
Oakwells, the operator of newsstands and specialty retail locations in airports, rail stations, hotels and hospitals throughout North America has added Dr. Walt Robb’s biographical “Taking Risks” Getting Ahead in Business and Life to its inventory at two of its New York locations, The Hospital Gift Shop at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown and The Hotel Gift Shop at the Desmond Hotel in Albany according to Michael Reilly, President of Oakwells. Reilly is a Capital Region native and graduate of Shenendehowa and SUNY Cobleskill.
Walt Robb’s roots in the Capital Region go back to his first professional position at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Schenectady. Several years later, he moved to GE’s renowned Research & Development Center where his work on permeable membranes earned him worldwide recognition. After a series of business leadership positions, Walt returned to head up the entire Research Development Center as GE’s Chief Technology Officer.
Walt’s varied, 43-year career spanned a wide variety of challenges, perhaps none more significant that his 13 years at the helm of GE Medical Systems. During this remarkable period, he led it to the number one position in both computed tomography and magnetic resonance. Along the way, he learned the art of assessing opportunities and taking appropriate risks to achieve success in both his professional and personal lives.
TAKING RISKS in Business and in Life distills the many lessons he learned during his remarkable journey from boyhood to becoming an honored scientist and business icon. It provides a valuable template for everyone devoted to achieving excellence, whether as a student, a teacher, an employee, a manager, an entrepreneur, or a mentor.
“As an academic, I would highly recommend this book for management students in leadership classes. It would be wonderfully inspiring to young scientists and engineers as well. As a parent I plan to share this with my son.” – Laura Schweitzer Ph.D., President, Union Graduate College
TAKING RISKS is of significant interest in the Capital region where Walt and his family lived for many years. He and his wife, Anne, continue to reside here today. Walt is certainly not “retired,” but continues to invest in and help manage a variety of entrepreneurial companies through his investment firm, Vantage Management. He is a Director and former Treasurer of the Double H Ranch, a board member and lecturer at Union Graduate College, and the former owner of the Albany “River Rats” in the American Hockey League.
A reception and book signing is planned at the Desmond at a date to be announced.
The book is also available at the miSci, the Museum of Innovation & Science (formerly the Schenectady Museum), Ellis Hospital Gift Shop, and the Open Door Bookstore. Bulk orders may be addressed to Meadow Brook Farm Publishing LLC, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
