STARKVILLE, MS – Hartley and Mary Peavey, who run Peavey Electronics Corporation as founder/CEO and president, respectively, encouraged nearly 2,400 spring graduates of their shared alma mater to live with passion and give back during separate commencement addresses on April 29 and 30.
"Success is not about money, it's feeling good about what you do," said Hartley Peavey, who founded the company after graduating from Mississippi State in 1965.
"The truth about entrepreneurs is that we have to approach every day with enthusiasm, a willingness to learn from mistakes and the desire to innovate, and trust that those traits will guide us to success. My only advice to you is never quit."
Peavey Electronics Corporation is now one of the world's largest and most diversified manufacturers and suppliers of musical equipment and professional audio products, with distribution into more than 130 countries.
"Peavey is successful because we all have great passion for what we do," said Mary Peavey. "It is self defeating to live without passion for your work. I encourage all of you, if you can't find the job you want right away-and in this economy you may not-consider taking another job in the same industry.
"When you do get that job," she added, "I hope that you will give back by donating your time and leadership through mentoring young people."
Peavey, a board member of the national Afterschool Alliance, stressed the importance of education, leadership and afterschool programs in the lives of the nation's youth.
"More than 15 million kids today go home to an empty house, and those hours between 3 and 6 p.m. are crucial."
During the 46-year history of Peavey Electronics, the Meridian, MS-based company has earned more than 180 patents around the world for innovations in how we hear and play music.
For more information, please visit www.peavey.com.
