CoB Alumni and Current Student Connect at xTuple in Norfolk

In the summer of 2013, then-sophomore Ashby Crumpler found herself at an interview at xTuple, an open source Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software company, specialized for manufacturers and distributors, in Norfolk, Va. Crumpler was trying to get a summer internship in the sales department when xTuple employee and JMU alumna Missy Schmidt decided that she would be better suited in the marketing department at xTuple.

Crumpler, now a senior marketing major, spent her summer at xTuple editing and transcribing videos of customer interviews using Windows Live Editor, while also managing the company’s social media sites.

When Crumpler returned the next summer, she helped plan for several events, including the company’s bi-ennial global user conference, and participated in high-profile meetings. All the while, Crumpler formed a friendship with Schmidt and the other xTuple employees.

“Everything that I’m learning in the classroom I am able to relate back to xTuple,” said Crumpler.

Schmidt, a member of the class of 1981 and Woodstock, Va., native, was a home economics major, but spent most of her days at James Madison University taking business classes. She worked at Belk (then Leggett) during all of her collegiate career, so she tells people that she was a marketing and merchandising major at JMU.

Crumpler’s greatest desire is to travel the world. She would like to continue working in marketing in the future. Schmidt encouraged Crumpler to consider her time at xTuple as a learning experience that would push her forward in her career even if she does not decide to pursue marketing.

“I loved learning about marketing and what is really involved in a marketing position,” said Crumpler. “It was really interesting to see everything that went into [planning an event] from the very beginning.”

Schmidt stated that she would love to hire Crumpler, but cannot at this time. However, she does want to encourage other JMU students to consider their intern-to-work program at xTuple in the future.

“I’m very into paying it forward, and paying it back,” said Schmidt, referring to her connection with Crumpler and other JMU alumni. “I bleed purple.”