Rob Van Etten
Media contact: Martin A Mbugua, (302) 831-8749, [mbugua@udel.edu]
Rob Van Etten, president of Brighton Cromwell, a supply chain integrator for the defense industry, was honored during the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement recognition ceremony at the University of Delaware on Friday, Oct. 30.
The Presidential Citation program honors UD graduates who have exhibited great promise in their professional and public service activities.
Van Etten graduated in 2003 with a double major in finance and marketing, and is now president of Brighton Cromwell. He joined the family business in 2004, when his father turned it from a consulting firm into a supply chain integrator for the defense industry. After his father's unexpected death the following year, Van Etten took over the company and doubled its revenue within a year.
Recently, he partnered with both the New Jersey Department of Labor and the Veterans Administration Hospital to provide jobs to military veterans, and the company has a “Hire Veterans First” initiative for many job openings. Brighton Cromwell has been named the 21st fastest growing business in America, as well as the fastest growing company in New Jersey.
“Over the course of my four years at the University, I made lasting friendships, learned business principles and crafted one of the most important business skills -- interacting with all different types of people,” Van Etten said. “I am a perfect example of how the University of Delaware Lerner College of Business and Economics creates well-rounded students who are ready to tackle and solve any problem.”
