Published: Nov 2, 2009
Paul B. Heth is credited for revitalizing Russian cinema although the
University of Tampa alumnus said it was just circumstance that lead to
opportunity.
“I wasn’t the best student but I did like going to
the movies,” said Heth ‘90, general director of Rising Star Media and
chairman and CEO of Soquel Ventures.
Heth will speak Nov. 2 from
4 to 5:30 p.m. at UT’s Reeves Theater in the Vaughn Center along with
Shari E. Redstone, president of National Amusements Inc., a
Massachusetts-based theater chain, and vice chair of the board of
directors of Viacom and CBS Corp.
Heth and Redstone co-founded
CineBridge Ventures in the U.S., building next generation multiplexes,
and Rising Star Media, which invests in the expanding Russian motion
picture and theatrical exhibition sector. The business partners will
speak on “Media in the New Global Marketplace.”
Heth said the
leadership development, values and global perspective he received from
UT’s professors made a real impact on him, and through circumstance and
hard work, he has become a leader in the motion picture exhibition,
production and media sector in Russia and the U.S. for the last 15
years.
“I appreciated being around other people who got you
thinking outside of your own little life,” said Heth, a history major,
who enjoyed having professors from Chile and Europe who “broadened my
horizons and thinking. I got a good foundation of values and
leadership.”
Heth worked with the men’s basketball team as
manager and student assistant and was in ROTC. He later served as an
enlisted soldier and then an officer in the U.S. Army.
As a UT
student he was exposed to Hungary while working on a business project
and because of it, his path lead him to Russia where “circumstance lead
to opportunity,” Heth said.
Coming back to his alma matter, Heth
said he wants students to know that values and leadership development
are the best things to learn as an undergraduate.
“My message to
students is to stand by your convictions. There is always an
opportunity,” Heth said. “With a good knowledge base, you can go after
whatever you want if you have the conviction and effort.”
The
presentation is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.
John Wilson, co-anchor of the WTVT-Fox 13 news and producer of the
Emmy-winning weekly commentary “My View,” will moderate. A reception
will follow the presentation.
By Jamie Pilarczyk, Web Writer
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