In the Driver’s Seat: How a Summer at Transtech Fueled Tillman Drew’s (‘26) ETA Vision
In this third feature of our three-part profile series, we highlight the transformative experiences of Class of 2026 Darden students who participated in the Batten Venture Internship Program (BVIP) over the summer. BVIP offers students the opportunity to pursue internships with venture capital firms, startups or closely held enterprises. Entrepreneurial students gain valuable formal experience through BVIP, which offers a matching salary stipend to encourage this one-of-a-kind internship exploration. Learn more about Darden’s Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Meet Second Year Tillman Drew (Class of 2026), whose Batten Venture Internship Program experience at TransTech helped him uncover a clear vision for ownership and impact in the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition space.
SHAPING AN ENTREPENEUR
As a kid growing up in Birmingham, AL, Tillman’s entrepreneurial mindset emerged early on with scribbles of side hustles and half-formed ventures that carried him well into his future. After graduating from Wake Forest, he began his career as a finance consultant with EY in Charlotte, NC where he mastered technical business skills and client communication. But just six months into life in Charlotte, he and his cousin decided to buy a house, sparking a fascination with acquisition and ownership.
At the intersection of this decision, his consulting skills, and an experience at a private equity firm after EY, Tillman found his way to Darden. Drawn by the school’s strong community and its powerful alumni network, he arrived with interests in ETA, CXO roles, and private equity.
His thinking evolved over the course of his first year as he reflected on what it means not just to build a successful career, but to wake up each day loving the work itself. By the second half of the year, ETA had become his primary focus, highlighting his entrepreneurial mindset and setting the stage for his BVIP internship.
“The BVIP program was an opportunity for me not only to lead and operate in the ETA space, but also to see that I enjoy doing so and can be successful. When it came to future potential partners or investors in the ETA space, I wanted a summer experience that was grittier than my previous careers in consulting and private equity. Darden gave me the opportunity to pursue an internship off the beaten path and was one of the main reasons that I came to Darden.”
BUILDING STRATEGIC CHANGE
The BVIP internship often provides the student with an identified research project paired with the student’s autonomy to determine the best solution. Reflecting on his internship at TransTech in Gastonia, North Carolina, Tillman described how his project experience refined his leadership skills and versatility.
“I interned for the two Co-CEO’s of TransTech, a search fund acquired business that is a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) education company. Bob & Tyrel bought the business in 2023 and have run it since, but TransTech existed for decades before the purchase. I was focused on strategic change management projects that encompassed their 10 NC school locations – primarily how best we could integrate medical services for their ~3000 students a year.”
“Navigating TransTech away from an internal, subsidiary business that provided drug screens and physicals to students was my primary project over the summer. I was working to find a better financial, operational, and personnel situation to continue providing these services to students. Ultimately, I was given the opportunity to source and negotiate with a host of external vendors to make this a possibility and then lead the operational transition to the new normal across the NC school locations.”
Tillman, Drew
LEVERAGING DARDEN LESSONS
What made the experience transformative was the level of trust he received from the company. Tillman shared how his experience being involved at Darden prepared him to step into this environment and the role of problem solver and leader.
“Showing up to my first day on the job this summer, I wanted to build rapport with employees and gain their trust as an intern that would be leading them through change. Often at Darden, you are interacting and working with folks that you don’t have a shared background with. Whether it’s a class project or club leadership, you have the opportunity to adapt not only your language but your leadership style.”
“It sounds silly, but my experience as the Darden Cup Representative for my section was perfect practice for this situation. In both, I had a goal and a group of people I was able to organize and lead toward that goal.”
DEFINING THE PATH AHEAD
Tillman’s BVIP experience will continue to shape his story as it allowed him the opportunity to work in a new environment and apply lessons from Darden to drive real operational impact. Now serving as Career Vice President of the ETA Club, Tillman not only is committed to working in the ETA space, but he also mentors younger students, helping them imagine ETA as a viable career path for themselves.
“My internship cemented my plans to pursue ETA and was an incredible experience that helped me prove to myself that I can do this and it brings me the fulfillment I have been looking for in my career. I am so thankful to Darden for encouraging and supporting my internship aspirations.”
A Note from the Darden Career Center
Through the Batten Venture Internship Program (BVIP), Darden students bring entrepreneurial thinking and strategic insight to startups, venture firms, and growing enterprises. If your early-stage venture, ETA firm or venture capital team is interested in hiring a Darden intern, learn more about the Batten Venture Internship Program or email Michele Rankin, Managing Director, Darden Career Center at RankinM@darden.virginia.edu.
