Two businessmen have been selected as Helen Lebaron Hilton Endowed co-chairmen for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

B. Joseph Pine and James Gilmore are founders of Strategic Horizons LLP of Aurora, Ohio, a think tank that helps businesses conceive new ways of adding value into their economic offerings.

Pine and Gilmore co-wrote a book and several articles detailing their ideas for companies and business concepts. They are frequent public speakers.

The first lecture, given by Gilmore, is “Welcome to the Experience Economy: The Progression of Economic Value.” It will take place 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

The “experience economy” is one of the major concepts conceived by Pine and Gilmore and described in their book, “The Experience Economy: Work is a Theater and Every Business is a Stage.”

“The vast majority of people once lived on a farm and with the industrial revolution, most left for the factory industry, and then the service industry in the 1950’s,” Gilmore said. “Our contention is that experiences are emerging as a fourth genre of economic output.”

Ann Marie Fiore, associate professor of textiles and clothing, said Pine and Gilmore were chosen “because [they] offered new ideas that relate to consumers and families. [Their work] can be applied to the focus of our college.”

James Gilmore said the two were honored to be chosen.

“[There is a] fascinating collection of departments within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences,” Gilmore said. “This will give us an opportunity to interact with faculty and students [who will] seek to apply our ideas.”

The Helen Lebaron Hilton chair was based on an endowment given by the estate of Hilton, who served as dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences from 1952 to 1975.

As Hilton co-chairmen for the 2002-2003 school year, Pine and Gilmore will visit the campus several times. The pair will give six lectures for students.

Gilmore and Pine are available for appointments with students, which can be scheduled through the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.