Colin Powell School
Business and Economics Alumni of CCNY Remembers Lecturer Len Trugman
Len Trugman was a family first guy; you knew about that from the moment you walked into his classroom. He loved to show photos of his grandchildren discuss the accomplishments of his children. To some he was Professor, to others Sir, to me he was Truggy.
When I signed up for Principles of Management with Truggy, it was just another class. Over the semester back in 2010, he was kind enough to let me get to know him. He was full of truths about life. I remember one day while eating lunch with him in the CCNY cafeteria, I asked him about team leadership, his answer went back to his first love, his family. He told me “When you lead a team, any team, anywhere, treat your team like your family”. That is something that stuck with me. As President of Business and Economics Alumni, I do not treat the board like family, they are my family.
A year later in Operations and Production Management, he taught me everything I needed to know about cost, efficiency, quality, and inventory. He said, “they’re all important, but the only one worth increasing costs for is improving quality”. Over another lunchtime conversation about the quality, he stopped for a second and told me “People can increase quality in a major way for free, but it means increasing the quality of who they are as people, leaders, and managers. To do so means relying on family and those you care about, to be honest with you”. What Truggy said that day is something I always carry with me and will never forget.
It is those two lessons and many others that I pass on to students, employees, and most of all family. I pass them on because they came from a source full of experience. Truggy received his BME from CCNY in 1960, later earned a Ph.D. in engineering, then went back to school and earned an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson in 1975. He was also CEO of Del Global Technologies. He was a lecturer from 2001 – 2017. He also had 2 patents.
I would always joke with him that when it came to Operations Management, as long as he was around, I would always be second best. Truggy may no longer be with us but I still have a long way to go to get to that level. I am certain though that I will pass on lessons I have learned from him for decades to come.
F. Charles Ranieri – Class of 2013
President of Business and Economics Alumni
Mr. Trugman was a dedicated professor who the best interests of his students in mind. He was always available to give advice and to promote real world applications of that advice. He filled us with joy with his stories about his work experience and constantly brought up his utmost joy, his family. One of the best memories I have of him was when he started the class by going over a business article written by his son from the morning paper that day. This brought him so much joy. My heart goes out to his whole family. We will miss you, Mr. Trugman. Thank you. Rest in peace.
Rosanlis Bido – Class of 2017
Vice President of Business and Economics Aluimni
It is with a heavy heart that I have learned about the passing of Professor Trugman. He was truly a great educator and a man of unique wisdom; he will be greatly missed.
Berrin Altan – Class of 2007
Board Member, Business and Economics Alumni
Trugman, AKA the Brooklyn boy. He made everyone feel very comfortable with his calm voice, hilarious jokes, and family stories. He used all of that to merge management and life lessons in an unforgettable way. Thank you Professor Trugman for your many years of service and experience that you were always happy to pass on to others. You will be greatly missed and will be forever in our hearts. May you Rest in Peace.Shamima Akhter – Class of 2015
Board Member Elect – Business and Economics Alumni