CNBC reports on Mormons, missionaries, and LDS business leaders

CNBC's Erin Burnett traveled to Taiwan, Utah, China, and Brazil to explore the world of LDS missionaries and former missionaries who have become international business leaders. Overall a pretty good report - one of the most favorable we've seen from the mainstream media in a long while. Watch the report in this video:

The top 10 most famous Mormons in 2008:

1. Mitt Romney
2. Harry Reid
3. David Archuleta
4. Glenn Beck
5. Aaron Eckhart
6. Thomas S. Monson
   
7. Orrin Hatch
8. Gordon Smith
9. Bob Bennett
10. David Neeleman

Mormon business executive to launch a new airline in BRAZIL

While I was in São Paulo, Brazil (where I served my LDS mission) last week, everyone was buzzing with the news of Brazil's newest airline.  The airline is being launched by JetBlue founder David Neeleman, an LDS entrepreneur made famous by his vast business success.  The company is not yet named.  In the photo above, Mr. Neeleman is shown with a model plane painted with the phrase "Você Escolhe," meaning "you choose", referring to the current contest open to the public to name the new airline.  The first place winner of the contest will win free air travel for life!

David Neeleman has a lot of interest in Brazil: he was born in Brazil, served an LDS mission there, and has dual citizenship, and his son is currently there on a mission, as well.

The New York Times covers this news here.  Bloomberg covers it here.

Since the miserable failure of the Brazilian flagship carrier, VARIG, caused a major void in Brazilian air travel, the country of nearly 200 million people has suffered in terms of a problematic aviation sector, high airfare, etc.  The new airline hopes to address the needs of the Brazilian aviation market by providing decent fares and regular flights between even more cities throughout the country.  

Church warns against financial fraud, etc.

This morning a letter from the First Presidency was read during Sacrament meetings at LDS wards and branches across the United States.  The letter warned Church members from the many financial scams that threaten people's livelihood, etc.  

The Deseret Morning News in Salt Lake City, Utah, covers the story here.

The Mormon Way of Doing Business

Read more . . . . 

BYU Business School ranks 7th in the U.S.

Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management (business school) has been ranked as the 7th top business program in America, by Business Week.  Congratulations to the students, faculty, administration, and staff!  Business Week's rankings are created by recruiters and analysts around the country.  

(The building is currently undergoing some major expansion work.)

Mormons as Executive Business Leaders

I came across this interesting video today.  (I am glad to learn that the JetBlue CEO also served a mission in Brazil!)