EXECUTIVE MBA ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2017
EMBA Class of 2016 State of the Program Update
Congrats Class of 2016
Upcoming International Study Trip
The future is bright for the Fogelman Executive MBA Program. Our most recent cohort of alumni have just graduated and are fully prepared for greater leadership responsibilities. Our EMBA Faculty continue to incorporate innovative and relevant content into executive courses. The EMBA Alumni Council is forging ahead and providing valuable feedback which allows us to respond to the changing needs of our students, alumni and corporate partners. Additionally, the International Residency will take our students to three new countries never before visited in this program. The Fogelman Executive MBA Program emphasizes leadership development and the necessary skills to become, or to continue to be, authentic and inspired business leaders. As we continue to recruit the best and brightest business minds, we look forward to the meaningful impact that our students and alumni will make in the Memphis business community and beyond. We are truly enthusiastic about what lies ahead.
Congratulations to the Class of 2016, our most recent class of EMBA alumni. We wish you continued success!
The EMBA Class of 2017 will travel to Reykjavik, Iceland; Helsinki, Finland; and Tallinn, Estonia. The students will be led by Dr. Balaji Krishnan and will visit with top executives from various companies in each city. In addition to the company visits, students will be able to participate in multiple excursions to immerse themselves in the local culture. The trip is part of the Executive MBA curriculum and has consistently been a program highlight for students.
Class of 2017 Profile The program welcomed 18 incoming students for the Executive MBA Class of 2017. Companies represented in the most recent cohort include: FedEx, Comcast, KTG (Kruger) USA, Hilton Worldwide, National Foundation for Transplants, Sedgwick, Hunter Fan Company, Nike and Pinnacle Foods Executive MBA Class of 2017 – At a Glance:
Current Students On-the-Move
• Average Age: 39.5
Congratulations to current EMBA Class of 2017 student, Justin Washburn, on his recent move to Collibra as sales engineer.
• Male Enrollment: 67%
News from the EMBA Council
• Female Enrollment: 33%
Congratulations to the newest Executive MBA Council Members – Wilfred Busby & Kevin Bourquin. Wilfred, Kevin and the entire council are making great strides in continuing to enhance the value of the Fogelman EMBA degree. Current 2017 Council Members include Jason Lee (2013); Roderick Head (2012); Juloy Raymer (2014); Levernese Anderson (2009); Michele Buring (2014); Chris Smith (2013); Vince Marotta (2015); Richard Williamson (2013); Beth Wilson (2014); Nila Carrington (2012); Scott Wilson (2015); Wilfred Busby (2016); Kevin Bourquin (2011).
• Average Work Experience: 17 years
We look forward to many great things from these students as they continue their EMBA journey.
Dr. Balaji Krishnan Director, MBA Programs
Reykjavik, Iceland
Alumni Promotions/New Positions The Executive MBA Program congratulates the following alumni on their promotions and new positions: Nila Carrington, Class of 2012, Regional One Health, Physician & Employee Benefits Manager Candace Lockhart, Class of 2007, Marketing Manager, Product Development, FedEx Wilfred Busby, Class of 2016, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Contact Center, ALSAC/St. Jude Charlie Lockhart, Class of 2007, Marketing Principal, Digital Marketing, FedEx Reginald Porter, Jr., Class of 2016, Senior Vice President, CEO Operations, ALSAC/St. Jude Ken Harper, Class of 2016, Operations Manager, Ingersoll Rand/Trane Nic Tullock, Class of 2016, Director of Category, Central Garden and Pet Jai’Christi Holloway, Class of 2016, Senior Marketing Specialist, FedEx
Global Strategic Marketing Dr. Balaji Krishnan has introduced Live Cases into his course study focusing on unique recommendations and Dr. Balaji Krishnan solutions to marketing challenges identified by local Memphis businesses. Nutriacs is the most recent Live Case Study business receiving marketing consultation from current EMBA students. Business Analytics Dr. Mehdi Amini continues to incorporate Individual Student RealWorld Semester Projects where each student selects one issue and/ Dr. Mehdi Amini or challenge from their current organization as a semester project. Students then apply business analytics, learned knowledge, methods and techniques towards the issue or challenge and make recommendations based upon data analytics. Strategic Human Resource Management
We welcome the opportunity to highlight you in this section – Keep Us Posted! Innovation in the Classroom In Executive MBA Programs worldwide, there is an increased focus on the need to emphasize practical projects and initiatives that allow students to apply what they learn directly to their organization or business. Fogelman Executive MBA faculty have been challenged to hone in on this focus. As we continue to build upon the fundamental concepts of our courses, there has been a renewed focus on real-world projects that provide meaningful solutions not only to the organizations represented by current students, but also to local businesses seeking immediate and realistic solutions to challenges.
Dr. Charles Pierce presents real-world Human Resource Management (HRM) Dr. Charles Pierce cases by bringing in local businesses with self-identified human resource challenges. Students are challenged to analyze the issues and make recommendations based on HRM principles. Most recently, Jay Myers, Founder & CEO of Interactive Solutions Inc. presented on HR challenges within his organization such as succession planning. Recruitment
· Individual Informational Consultation Sessions are the perfect opportunity to help interested candidates find out how to take their careers to the next level by gaining the competitive edge that the EMBA degree provides. · Experience Days give interested candidates the opportunity to sit in on an EMBA class, participate in dynamic class discussions and gain first-hand experience about what it feels like to be back in the classroom. Your company and prospective candidate referrals are extremely important in helping us to reach the individuals who would benefit most from what the Executive MBA Program has to offer. Please contact Dr. Balaji Krishnan, Director of MBA Programs or Dynisha Brown Woods, Manager of the Executive MBA Program at 901.678.4866, emba@memphis.edu, or visit us at emba.memphis.edu. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2017. Ambassador Program Do you want to be an Executive MBA Ambassador? We are launching a new program for alums to become even more involved in helping us to recruit ideal candidates for the program. Every alum who recruits a high-caliber student who subsequently enrolls in the EMBA Program will be appointed as an Executive MBA Ambassador and will receive a quality blazer that will be engraved with the EMBA Ambassador logo. Interested in more details? Contact us at emba@memphis.edu In Memoriam It is with great sadness that we report that EMBA Class of 2000 alum Rick Clark passed away on September 23, 2016. He is survived by his wife, siblings, children, grandchildren, and a great grandchild.
We are currently recruiting for the next incoming class, set to begin in August 2017. There are a variety of ways that we seek to cultivate recruitment opportunities: · Onsite Company Information Sessions allow us to meet with interested candidates and company representatives to discuss how the EMBA Program could benefit not only the employee, but also the organization.
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Awards & Recognitions The Executive MBA Program congratulates the following alumni on their recent awards & recognitions:
Melanie Carpenter Melanie Carpenter, Class of 2007, received the 2016 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. Melanie is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for MidAmerica Apartment Communities. Travis Green, Class of 2014, Memphis Business Journal 2016 Top 40 Under 40 Honoree. Travis currently serves as the CAO of the Shelby County General Sessions Court.
Lunch & Learn Executive Lecture Series Speakers The Fogelman College welcomes the 2017 Executive Lecture Speakers. This series provides current Fogelman MBA students with the opportunity to interact with a variety of successful business leaders. Speakers have included Chris Przybyszewski, Executive Vice President, US Biologic; Bryan Jordan, Chairman, President & CEO, First Horizon National Corporation; Shane Davis, Board Chair & Professional Mentor, University of Memphis’ LEAD Program; Edward Chaum, Plough Foundation Professor of Retinal Diseases, UTHSC Hamilton Eye Institute; Raj Subramaniam, Executive Vice President, International Marketing, FedEx Services; Mike Kisber, President, FTN Financial, Isaac Rodriguez, Co-Founder & CEO/CSO, SweetBio, Inc.; Jason Little, President & CEO, Baptist Memorial Health Care; and, Rick Shadyac, President & CEO, ALSAC/St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. Would you like to nominate an executive for the Executive Lecture Series? Please contact emba@memphis.edu to recommend a distinguished speaker for the 2017-2018 calendar. Spring EMBA Information Session
Reginald Porter, Jr., Class of 2016, Kurt A. Christoff Outstanding Student of the Year Award Recipient. Reginald currently serves as Senior Vice President of CEO Operations at ALSAC/St. Jude.
Our spring semester Information Session will be held Tuesday, April 25, 6–7:30 p.m. in the Overton Room at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn (3700 Central Avenue). During this session, the Executive MBA and Professional MBA Programs will be showcased. Attendees will learn more about both programs and have the opportunity to network with EMBA staff, faculty, current students and alumni.
Wilfred Busby, Class of 2016, Ferris Hooshmand Award Recipient. Wilfred currently serves as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Contact Center at ALSAC/St. Jude.
Please encourage family, friends, and colleagues to attend the session to learn more. Those interested in attending can RSVP to fcbegp@memphis.edu or call 90.678.3405.
Reginald Porter, Jr.
Nic Tullock, Class of 2016, Dean’s Award Recipient. Nic currently serves as Director of Category at Central Garden and Pet. Mike Miller, Class of 2016, Dean’s Award Recipient. Mike currently serves as Sales Manager at AZO, Inc.
UofM to host NCUR 2017 The University of Memphis will host the 2017 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). This esteemed event brings together more than 4,000 students and their faculty mentors for a three-day conference. NCUR provides students with the opportunity to present their scholarly research in a professional setting and interact with their peers, in addition to meeting with graduate school and corporate recruiters. The event will take place on the University of Memphis campus April 6-8, 2017. The Fogelman College of Business & Economics will host an open house for conference attendees on Thursday, April 6, 4-6 p.m. Stay Connected with the Executive MBA Program Join our Facebook group: Executive MBA Fogelman College at University of Memphis. Visit us: 357 Fogelman College Admin Building, Memphis, TN 38152 Office: 901.678.4866 E-mail: emba@memphis.edu Online: emba.memphis.edu LinkedIn: Search for Executive MBA Program at the University of Memphis
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