Tech billionaire Rob Ryan (left) answers a question for Building the Bakken host Jason Spiess. Photo by Kevin Tobosa

Bakken Events: 5th Annual Rocky Mountain Economic Summit

The 5th Annual Rocky Mountain Economic Summit is an event where the top entrepreneurs and economist converge to share information and network in the beautiful town of Jackson Hole, WY.

During the conference, Rob Ryan was in attendance and is doing business in the Bakken. He currently runs the Roaring Lions Ranch, which is a ranch that “raises entrepreneurs.”

Rob Ryan is the founder of Ascend Communications and Entrepreneur America. Ryan earned national attention when he grew his 1989 start-up company, Ascend Communications, Inc., to more than $500 million in sales by 1995. Lucent Technologies acquired Ascend in 1999 for $23 billion, in what was termed the “largest technology merger ever.” Ryan has since started and sold three more billion dollar companies.

Ryan talked about HERO leadership characteristics and core competencies. What are you good at? What are you unique at? Ryan focuses more on the person rather than the product.

Ryan also discusses starting with the core and then how to add employees. Ryan believes it is best to support yourself with others who compliment your core competence.

Ryan also talked about the importance of a good marriage and the foundation at home. Being a CEO is a lonely position and your partner has to be able to be someone you can bounce ideas off. Ryan stated if you look at successful entrepreneurs and world leaders the one thing they all have in common is a long term marriage.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download