Month: May 2019

Meet New EMBA Staff Samantha Vasey

Samantha Vasey is the new EMBA Recruiter at UAHello! My name is Samantha Vasey, and I recently began working in the position of Manager of New Lead Development and Recruitment for the Executive MBA Program. I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona, where I earned my undergraduate degree in Business Management and subsequently, my MBA from the University of Arizona. While I miss authentic Mexican food and the beautiful desert, Alabama has been a wonderful place to call home! My husband and I decided to take a leap of faith and move to Alabama when he was offered a position with the UA Athletic Department. Since moving to Alabama, we have enjoyed getting plugged into the community, meeting new people, and exploring the South!

I am passionate about empowering others to pursue their career goals and aspirations, and I am looking forward to assisting prospective and current students through their MBA journey. The decision to pursue your MBA while working full-time is an ambitious and demanding commitment, but also an investment in your future. Yes, the studying is hard, the hours are long, and the classwork is rigorous, but the outcomes will be life-changing!

From my MBA experience, I have gained a solid network and community with my class cohort that has helped me throughout my professional career and personal life. The MBA program allowed me to form strong bonds with many of my classmates that I still maintain today. Several classmates were guests at my wedding, a classmate was a reference for my first job in Alabama, and my former accounting professor is co-teaching an online accounting class with my husband this summer.

The best advice I was given while pursuing my MBA was to learn how to become comfortable with the uncomfortable, and to take advantage of every situation. Think outside of the box, meet as many people as possible, and take time to learn and read about topics and subjects that may be foreign to you.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband Kyle and our two rescue dogs, Zoey and Sadie! You may also find us going to a concert at Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, trying a new restaurant around town, or cheering on the Crimson Tide at Bryant Denny Stadium.

Additionally, I serve as the Director for Church and Community Relations for a local non-profit called Tuscaloosa Angels. We are one out of fifteen chapters of National Angels which is based out of Austin, Texas. The heart of our mission is to walk alongside foster children and their caretakers through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship. Starting a non-profit from the ground up has been an amazing journey and learning experience. It is truly an honor to serve the local community in hopes of making a difference in the lives of others.

I look forward to meeting all the wonderful students, alumni, faculty, and staff that make up the Executive MBA family, and I am eager to help build a successful future. Please feel free to contact me at svasey@cba.ua.edu or stop by our offices and say hello! I’m also happy at any time to grab a cup of coffee with you and hear about your background, experiences, and stories! Thanks again and ROLL TIDE!

TEMBA Graduate Jamie Adams Honored as 2019 Alabama CIO of the Year

Jamie Adams has been named the 2019 Alabama CIO of the Year® ORBIE® Enterprise Award winner.  A graduate of The University of Alabama Executive MBA Class of 2013, Jamie is the CIO of Mspark in Helena, Alabama.

The Alabama CIO Leadership Association (Alabama CIO) is the preeminent professional association for Alabama chief information officers, and the ORBIE award honors chief information officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. Finalists and winners are selected by an independent peer review process, led by prior ORBIE recipients. This selection process is based upon leadership and management effectiveness, business value created by technology innovation, size and scope of responsibilities, and engagement in the industry and community endeavors.

According to Steve Mitzel, Chief Executive Officer at Mspark, “In less than three years at Mspark, Jamie has transformed our IT team, implemented value creation projects, and brought great leadership to Mspark.”

Mspark is a leading national media distribution company delivering advertising solutions to a portfolio of more than 3,000 clients across the United States. For additional information, visit mspark.com.

For more information on The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Program, contact Cheryl Altemara or call 205.348.4501, or visit the UAEMBA website.

Congratulations EMBA Class of 2019 Graduates

EMBA 2019 Grads and FamilyGraduation is a special achievement to share with family. On Saturday, May 4, The University of Alabama Executive MBA Class of 2019, celebrated the completion of their graduate program with over 200 family members, faculty, staff, and the UA Mascot Big Al.

 

EMBA Graduates getting ready for Commencement at the University of Alabama.
Getting ready to walk at UA Commencement (L-R) Jason Kennedy, Joe Thomas, Rodrigo Gallegos, and Ray Kolis.

Beginning with the tour of Denny Chimes Stadium, the day-long event included a Brunch, EMBA Graduation Ceremony, and finally the University Commencement.

 

“The graduation ceremony at the stadium was wonderful. Getting my MBA was a great experience and I am so grateful I had the opportunity. The staff support of the program and our class is outstanding. The program was even better than I expected,” said graduate Ray Kolis, Senior Manager, Nissan North America.

In addition to recognizing the graduates and class leaders, awards were given to class MVPs Mia Simpson, Scott Staples, and Denise Vickers. The James F. Cashman Faculty award for counsel, positive influence on students, and high standard of integrity was presented to Dr. Ron Dulek for both the TEMBA and HEMBA classes.

Drs. Ron Dulek and Brian Gray were awarded the Faculty Excellence Awards from the HEMBA and TEMBA respectively, for exeptional instruction and significant impact on student understanding.

Ryan McDaniel, Vice President of the EMBA Alumni Network, welcomed the graduates into the Network of now 965 members.

Dr. Ron Dulek receives EMBA Faculty Award
L-R Joe Thomas, Scott Staples, and Dr. Ron Dulek.

 

Congratulations EMBA Class of 2019

  • Ryan Baldwin, Consultant
  • Tony Berenotto, Delta Air Lines
  • Yolanda Coleman, St. Vincent’s Health System
  • Alix Connor, The Sanders Trust
  • Doug Cornelius, U.S. Air Force
  • Lance Ezelle, Alabama Farmers Cooperative
  • Rodrigo Gallegos, Electrolux Major Appliances, North America
  • Diana Goss, Dekalb County Economic Development Authority

    Big Al celebrates graduation with EMBA 2019.
    Big Al celebrates graduation with 2019 EMBA classmates (L-R) Yolanda Coleman, Tamara Smoot, and Shaun Williams.
  • Gifford Haynes, E.A. Renfroe & Company
  • Rob Henry, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
  • Stephen Hutchings, Torch Technologies
  • Jordan Jaggers, The Distribution Point
  • Jason Kennedy, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
  • Ray Kolis, Nissan North America
  • Josh Lawley, BAFR Properties
  • Jonathan Lewis, Kord Technologies
  • Stirling Macfarlane, PPG Industries
  • John Malloch, Motion Industries
  • Taylor Nelson, Yates Construction
  • Nichole Parker, PPG Industries
  • Shane Peek, Heil Environmental Company
  • Custis Proctor, Synovus Corporate Banking
  • Mia Simpson, DS Smith
  • Cory Skipper, Mercedes-Benz US
  • Tamara Smoot, Stryker Sustainability Solutions
  • Ray Snead, Snead Group LLC
  • Scott Staples, Fidelity Investments
  • Ric Sweatt, Comcast Cable
  • Rob Terry, Cosmetics Essence Innovations
  • Joe Thomas, Orascoptic
  • Josh Thompson, Cascades Sonoco
  • Denise Vickers, WFXG Fox 54
  • Cyndi Vigil, Army Material Command/US Army Reserves
  • Johnathan Waltz, Ecolab
  • Tamara Washington
  • Shaun Williams, Tuskegee University TUCEP-Co
  • Colby Wilson, Mercedes-Benz US
  • Freddy Windham, Bayer Healthcare

For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program, visit the UAEMBA website or contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.