Smith Soc Featured Member

Questions and Answers with Adam Smith Society Members

Jeff Bulthuis | University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Chapter

Jeff Bulthuis is a member of the Air Force and works in a special duty assignment at the AF Academy training and mentoring officer candidates. Prior to that he was a mechanic on F-16s. When he is away from work, he enjoys mountain biking, playing golf, and snowboarding. Jeff received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance and Management from Park University, and is one semester away from earning an MBA from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone?

I had the opportunity to live in Italy for two years.

How do you curate your intellectual diet? What blogs, publications, etc. do you ready daily?

I usually read AP and NPR articles when I can find time for leisure reading.

Imagine you are given a million dollars to launch your best entrepreneurial idea. What is it?

I would like to develop a better library system. Using today's logistics technology I think there is a better more cost effective way to provide the standard services of a library and offer additional services to make libraries more purposeful.

Name something you’ve gained from your membership in the Adam Smith Society that you feel like you could not have gotten elsewhere in your MBA program.

Being a member of the Adam Smith Society has really helped me expand my network, I have been able to meet so many people through the various events.

If you had to choose a theme song for the Adam Smith Society, what would it be?

Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down."

Who is your favorite founding father (or president) and why?

Abraham Lincoln, he held the country together and was humble in victory.

NASA sends you to colonize a new planet, but you can only take 3 books: one on political & economic philosophy to help start the govt., one business book to guide entrepreneurs, & a work of fiction to keep everyone entertained. What do you take and why?

The first book would be "Basic Economics", it explains how economies work in very simple terms. The second book I would bring is "Start With Why", because it provides a good foundation for starting an organization. The fiction book would be "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", it's a great story with some good lessons built in.

If Adam Smith and Friedrich Hayek came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for them to eat?

I am a horrible cook so the only thing I would trust myself to make would be scrambled eggs and toast.

You have been given the power to completely repeal one government regulation of your choice (federal, state, or local). Which one would it be and why?

I would get rid of the requirement to register with the selective service. It is outdated and the program costs about $24 million a year. If the need for a draft came up again, I am sure there are databases that already exist that could provide the information needed and facilitate the required selection process.