When Bobby Syed graduated from Union College in 2003, the Plano, Texas native knew he would end up back in the area. First, he returned for his MBA, which he completed last November.
After a short stint back in Texas, Syed came east again, this time to jumpstart his career. The 25-year-old Syed recently joined BullEx Digital Safety as chief marketing and sales officer.
The year-old North Greenbush company is one of the up-and-coming businesses in the region. BullEx markets a computer-controlled propane burner that is used to train people on how to use a fire extinguisher correctly.
computer-controlled propane burner that is used to train people on how to use a fire extinguisher correctly.
Sales have been brisk for the unit, with hospitals, colleges and Department of Defense agencies all investing in the technology.
Syed helped demonstrate the product recently for members of the College's campus safety department outside of College Park Hall.
Syed said coming back to start his career with a start-up company was an easy decision.
“It's slowly and slowly been growing,'' he said of Tech Valley. “I think it's really ready to take off, and now is the time to get in.''
While at Union, Syed founded the College's Entrepreneurship Club. He and several other students created a company, Impermeable Molding, which advanced to the finals of the prestigious Tech Valley Collegiate Plan competition in 2004. The group did win the elevator pitch portion of the contest, giving a two-minute presentation to potential venture capitalists.
Coincidentally, Syed's group lost out in the overall competition to TekAlert, a company co-formed by Ryan O'Donnell, who now heads BullEx. BullEx won the $50,000 top award in last year's competition.
“We're thrilled to have Bobby join the BullEx team,” O'Donnell said. “He is an extremely hard-working, motivated, intelligent manager.''
Syed majored in economics and computer science at Union. He said the school, and particularly professors like Hal Fried, provided him with a solid education that will help his career.
“I loved it here at Union,'' he said while standing in the parking lot of College Park Hall. “After being here for so long, I feel comfortable here. I knew I would come back.”