Get Involved 2017

• February 2nd, 2017
• in EMBA Alumni Network

The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Alumni Network is kicking off their Get Involved 2017 campaign. “We are encouraging our alumni to attend events, promote and recommend potential student, raise funds for the Brian Rankin EMBA Endowed Scholarship and to stay connected,” said President of the EMBA Alumni Network Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004). As a student, the EMBAs developed networks and forged friendships while they completed their M.B.A. degree. Having alumni stay involved and stay active with the EMBA Program is important in growing the value of their degree, bringing in high caliber students, and providing networking and educational opportunities.  Let’s do this, UA EMBAs, let’s Get Involved!

10 Ways to GET INVOLVED 2017

1. Join the UA EMBA Alumni Social Networks

Join LinkedIn Group at University of Alabama Executive MBA

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UAEMBA/

Follow us on Twitter @UA_ExecutiveMBA

❤ and follow us on Instagram at uaemba

2. Stay updated and follow our blog

Submit news or write a blog: contact dblackburn@cba.ua.edu

3. Promote the EMBA

Refer a potential EMBA student

Attend an upcoming UA EMBA recruiting event

Host a recruiting event at your company

4. Wear with pride your UA EMBA apparel

Check out our new EMBA apparel portal at the UA SupeStore: https://supestoreua.myshopify.com/collections/executive-mba

5. Get Involved with the EMBA Program

Become a mentor to a new EMBA student

6. Get Involved with the EMBA Alumni Network

Volunteer to work on an EMBA alumni committee

Run for the UA EMBA Alumni Network Board

Attend an event

Participate in the EMBA Alumni Survey

7. Make a donation

Donate to the Brian A. Rankin EMBA Scholarship Fund

Take advantage of your firm’s or employer’s gift matching program

8. Inform the Manderson Graduate School Career Services Office about employment opportunities in your company

Hire a fellow alum. Let us know when you do.

9. Keep in touch

With faculty and staff

Email or call a classmate

Keep us updated with your contact information

10. Stop by the EMBA office – bring your family to campus. The EMBA office loves seeing alumni and their families! Roll Tide!

Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendar – GET INVOLVED 2017

April 22 – Manderson Graduate School of Business A-Day Breakfast

October 5-6 – EMBA Alumni Network Annual Conference and Business Analytics Symposium

We are also busy planning a Family Day at Regions Field in Birmingham, Picnic in the Park in Huntsville, University of Alabama Baseball Day, Football Roll Tide Tailgate, as well as some city stops so please stay in touch and make plans to Get Involved 2017.

For more information on how you can get involved with the UA EMBA Alumni Network, contact the EMBA office at dblackburn@cba.ua.edu or call (205) 348.8748.

For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program click on emba.ua.edu or contact Cheryl Altemara at (205) 348-4501 or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.

Incoming EMBA Alumni Network President Challenges Alumni to Participate and Grow EMBA

• November 10th, 2016
• in EMBA Alumni Network, EMBA Uncategorized

Greetings fellow EMBA alumni and current EMBA students. It is an honor to represent so many of you and continue to build on all the work that has been done since the Executive MBA Alumni Network Board was formed in 2013.  My first year on the board as Vice President was a great experience and I honestly don’t know where the time went. A special thanks to outgoing President Ben Paulk, Past President Mike Ross and Secretary-Treasurer Beckie Crawford for all the great work they did while serving on the board this past year.

The 2016-2017 Alumni Network Board will focus on three primary goals. The first is a challenge to our alumni to step up their participation in the EMBA Alumni Survey. In 2015 we had a response rate of 24%. In 2017 our goal is to double the response rate to at least 48%. The survey will be finalized in mid-2017 and more communication will follow.

Our second goal is to increase the reach of our alumni database. Staying well informed on all the activities that are going on with our program is very easy thanks to social media. The Executive MBA staff goes to great lengths to make this program a success. Let’s do our part by encouraging our classmates to maintain their contact information with the program. I will be reaching out to the class presidents and vice presidents in the very near future to help us reconnect with our alumni.

The last goal is one that we hope carries over into 2019, which coincides with the 100th Anniversary of the Culverhouse College of Commerce. With our graduating EMBA classes in 2016, the program has a total of 853 EMBA alums. If the program graduates an average of approximately 50 students over the next 3 years, we will reach the milestone of having 1000 alumni graduates. To make this a reality we need to encourage the best and brightest in our industries to pursue their continued education and development as a professional in the EMBA Program. Any alum referring someone who enrolls in the program will receive a special gift.

Paulk Reflects on Honor to Serve as President of the EMBA Alumni Network

• November 8th, 2016
• in EMBA Alumni Network

As is often the case, whenever we stop to reflect on the past year, it seems to have gone by so fast. We rarely notice time as it is passing with all of the things going on in our busy lives. And so it is as the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Alumni Network at The University of Alabama turns the page on another year.

Looking back, your board accomplished a lot. We held events, like the tailgate, lunches, and family day, where people got to network while having a great time. We contributed to continuing education by hosting our annual conference and participating in various activities with the University, including the Business Analytics Symposium. We have supported the development of the Executive MBA Program by recruiting exceptional prospective students and promoting a new endowed scholarship. We also welcomed our newest class of alumni in the spring.
It was an honor to serve as President of our EMBA Alumni Network, but it was a greater honor to work with your Board of Directors. Each person put forth a great effort to further the mission of the EMBA Alumni Network.

I want to especially thank Mike Ross (TEMBA 1989) our former president and Beckie Crawford (TEMBA 2013), our former secretary-treasurer. Their service and leadership has helped us make great strides over the past few years.

While we have accomplished a lot, I feel that our network is only just beginning to fulfill its potential. I would urge everyone in the EMBA Alumni Network to get involved in any way that you can, whether it’s attending an event, contributing to the endowment, or just promoting the EMBA program to your colleagues.

We have many opportunities in the years ahead and you have elected some wonderful individuals who will carry on this important work. I look forward to working with the current Board as we build on the momentum we have created.
Roll Tide!

Benjamin Paulk (TEMBA 2012) served as President of the EMBA Alumni Network Board for 2016 and is currently serving as 2017 Past President on the board.

For more information on The University of Alabama EMBA Program, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.

Predictive Modeling and Data Mining Trends Highlights EMBA Alumni Network Conference

• October 20th, 2016
• in EMBA Alumni Network

This year the Executive MBA Alumni Network held its Annual Conference in conjunction with the Culverhouse College of Commerce’s Business Analytics Symposium.  EMBA alumni and students joined over 200 attendees on October 13-14 at the Bryant Conference Center at The University of Alabama. Two keynote speakers and 10 sessions at the 2016 Executive MBA conference offered insights on exploring analytics in today’s corporate world as well as emerging trends in forecasting and predictive modeling and their implications for business. Sessions also covered operations research, data mining and statistics and their usage in fields including sports, healthcare, weather and finance.

Peter Keating, a senior writer at ESPN kicked off the symposium sharing stories from his “Numbers” column covering statistics which rate pro teams, NCAA tournament upsets and his pioneering work on concussions exposing how the National Football League deals with brain injuries.
Martha Hoover Crombie of The Crombie Group, a leading healthcare data consultant exposed the participants to RealTime Medicare Data where you are able to virtually walk with people as they progress from the doctor’s office to the emergency room, and from the operating table to the hospital bed.

Keynote speaker James Spann transported us back to the tragic Super Tornado Outbreak of April 27 in Alabama that claimed 64 lives including six University of Alabama students. Spann’s words were powerful as he cautioned to never forget that “there are people behind the numbers.”

The annual conference is an excellent way for our alumni to recommit themselves to their educational development and collegiate network. Seeing all the people, feeling the energy and learning about everyone’s success stories, as well as their challenges, can energize and motivate.

According to Pritha Powell (TEMBA 2016), Vice President, Corporate Marketing Strategist at Regions Financial Corporation, “The Business Analytics Symposium was an informative event that I would highly encourage others to attend. The sessions were led by forward-thinking and inspirational leaders from a wide-variety of industries. It was also a great opportunity to reconnect with classmates and meet other EMBA alumni and current students. I look forward to attending it again next year!”

In addition, there were tracks on data science and how to build a startup, analytics leadership, applications in banking, marketing and sales, and results from the Dow Challenge and MERCK National Student Competitions winners. The conference also featured the Executive MBA Alumni Network Dinner highlighting the “Year in Review” of alumni events held throughout 2016 by outgoing President Ben Paulk, and our 2017 Plans for the Future by incoming Board President Russell Shamburger.

The 2016 Board members were recognized as well as board members transitioning off this year: Beckie Crawford (TEMBA 2013), Vice President-Finance with Southern Medical Health Systems, who served as Secretary-Treasurer and Michael Ross (TEMBA 1989), Central Region President & Chief Commercial Officer for Renasant Corporation and Past President of EMBA Alumni Network Board.

The 2017 Board Members:
Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004), President
Ben Paulk (TEMBA 2012), Past President
Mike Brost (HEMBA 2015)
Russ Elrod (HEMBA 2013)
Jennifer Thomas (TEMBA 2014)

The EMBA Alumni Network’s annual conference is still a key event that our alumni find great value in attending. We continue to think strategically about the educational and networking events that we hold throughout the year. These programs are not something we take lightly because we understand it has potential implications and huge benefits for our members. So for those of you who attended this year’s conference, I hope you find a way to sustain the excitement, the vibrancy that you felt, and use it as motivation to make the 2017 conference an important event to attend and to encourage classmates to join us next year. For those of you who could not make the conference this year, we look forward to seeing you next year. Roll Tide UA EMBAs!

–Donna Blackburn, Director, Executive MBA Program

For more information on the UA EMBA Program and the EMBA Alumni Network, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.

UA EMBA Heads To Ballpark for Family Day

• July 12th, 2016
• in EMBA Alumni Network

To the sounds of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” The University of Alabama Executive MBA alumni, students, staff and their families celebrated the 2016 Family Day.  Hosted by the EMBA Alumni Network everyone gathered at Regions Field on Sunday July, 10 to watch a Birmingham Barons game. This year’s event brought out 96 attendees, representing nine different EMBA classes.

As Birmingham’s minor league baseball team bested the Jacksonville Suns 7-4, alumni reconnected, and everyone mingled, forged new friendships and had a great time on the Party Deck in the stadium.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, ice cream and Bud’s Best cookies were on the menu along with the traditional peanuts and Cracker Jack®. Babe Ruff, the popular Barons mascot, stopped by to pose for pictures and entertain children.

“This was a great networking event. It always helps when you have a fun reason to get together and at such an amazing venue,” proclaimed Ben Paulk, President of the EMBA Alumni Network.

Regions Field opened in 2012 and is credited with revitalizing downtown Birmingham.

The history of the Birmingham Barons traces back to 1885, when the Barons were originally called the Coal Barons. Regions Field also has the honor of being named at the 2015 Southern League All-Star Game Ballpark Digest’s Best of the Ballparks: Double-A.
The UA Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Alumni Network hosts several events throughout the year for alumni as well as current and incoming students.

For more information on the EMBA Alumni Network and the EMBA Program contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or email at caltemara@cba.ua.edu.

UA EMBA Celebrates the Class of 2016

• May 13th, 2016
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

The roar of “Roll Tide” was loud as 40 graduates and over 200 family members, staff and students gathered at The Zone in Bryant-Denny Stadium on May 6 to celebrate the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Class of 2016 graduation.  During their EMBA Program at The University of Alabama, the graduates completed academic coursework in finance, accounting, marketing, spreadsheet analysis, strategy, operations and project management, negotiations, statistics, communication and leadership.  They also traveled to Morocco and Spain as part of their global business course. Team work, case discussions, projects and presentations rounded out the M.B.A. degree curriculum.  Along the way they forged friendships and made special memories.

The afternoon festivities began with a tour of the Alabama football locker room and the Crimson Tide tunnel to the Bryant-Denny field. Everyone then convened in The Zone for the EMBA reception and awards ceremony.  This year’s honorees included recognition of HEMBA President Richard Spears and Vice President Jim Boyd, and TEMBA President Tom Thayer and Vice President Pritha Powell. The class MVP awards went to Zeph Isom (HEMBA) and Tom Thayer and Ben Caro (TEMBA) for exemplifying high ideals, integrity and leadership ability, as well as being supportive of class and teammates.

Class leaders presented the Faculty Excellence awards to Dr. William Walsh, Clinical Professor of Economics (HEMBA), and Dr. Ron Dulek, John R. Miller Professor of Management (TEMBA). The award honors the professor who has shown outstanding commitment to the EMBA Program through their exceptional instruction generating a positive learning environment and creating a significant impact on student understanding. 

Interim Dean, James I. Harrison Family Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow, and Professor of Statistics Dr. Brian Gray was awarded the Dr. James F. Cashman Faculty Award by both the TEMBA and HEMBA classes.  The James F. Cashman Faculty Award is given to the faculty member that reflects the spirit and positive influence on EMBA students as exemplified by Dr. Cashman, a man of integrity who’s generous counsel impacted students’ lives. 
During the EMBA ceremony all of the graduates received plaques and University of Alabama pins. Nine graduates received 4.0 GPAs: Stephen Burton, Aaron Craddock, Zeph Isom, Ryan McDaniel, Neil Morton, Pritha Powell, Richard Spears, Edward Stringfellow and Nic Ward. Eleven Veterans were also honored with cords recognizing their service to our country.

At UA we are proud of saying we are a family and once you become a student, you and your family becomes part of the Alabama family. It was only fitting that at the end of the EMBA graduation event everyone joined in for a class family portrait.  “I’m so proud to be affiliated with the University of Alabama. This has been a life changing experience for me,” said Mike Starnes (HEMBA).

Thank you to the family, friends, co-workers and companies that supported our graduates throughout the program.  Check out more photos from graduation on our Facebook page.

Once again, congratulations to our Executive MBA Class of 2016:

• Rodney Bilbrew, U.S. Army Contracting Command
• Jim Boyd, Army Aviation Flight Test Directorate
• Patrick Briles, Wells Fargo
• Justin Brown, ColeMarie Austin
• Stephen Burton, Buckman Laboratories, Inc.
• Ben Caro, USAF Sr. Noncommissioned Officer Academy
• Joe Caubo, Mississippi Power Company
• Aaron Craddock, Randall Reilly
• Stefan Eitzinger, Drummond Company, Inc.
• Paulo Gonzalez, Drummand Company, Inc.
• Erika Hailes, Conversant Biologics
• Nate Hall, Hubbard Properties, Inc.
• Don Hersh, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
• Cody Higgins, Social Security Administration
• Zeph Isom, Universal Lighting Technologies
• Jason Kennedy, Southeastern Plateworks, LLC
• Josh King, WTI Transport
• Shannon Lewis, Conversant Biologics
• Heather Martin, Mercy Regional Medical Center
• John Mathison, Booz Allen Hamilton
• Ryan McDaniel, Nissan of Smyrna, TN
• Neil Morton, Moultrie Products/Pradco
• Jeremy Phelps, Nissan North America
• Pritha Powell, Regions Financial Corporation
• Bradford Price, All-South Subcontractors, Inc.
• David Reiniger, The Boeing Company
• Jordan Reynolds, Missile Defense Agency
• Kimberly Rose, BBVA Compass
• Eric Satterfield, Neptune Technology Group, Inc.
• Beth Smith, Progress Rail Services
• Joey Snowden, McLeod Software
• Richard Spears, DRS Technologies
• Erik Spencer, Walter Energy
• Michael Stanley, U.S. Navy
• Mike Starnes, Heidelberg USA
• Edward Stringfellow, Stringfellow Technology Group, Inc.
• Tom Thayer, Frank Management Group, Inc.
• Tommy Walker, Speedy Tire and Service, Inc.
• Nic Ward, Hexcel
• Dorthea Yarbrough, U.S. Army – AMRDEC

EMBA Alumni Network Elects New Board

• November 16th, 2015
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

In October the EMBA Alumni Network elected the new EMBA Alumni Network Board of Directors for 2015-2016. The Board held its first meeting on Wednesday, November 11.

The new officers: Ben Paulk, Senior Product Manager with BBVA (TEMBA 2012) is the new President; Russell Shamburger, Manager of CGI (TEMBA 2004) will serve as Vice President; Beckie Crawford, Vice President Finance with Southern Medical Health Systems (TEMBA 2013) will continue serving as Secretary-Treasurer; and Michael Brost, Senior Business Analyst with Modern Technology Solutions (HEMBA 2015) will assume duties as Communications Chair. Michael Ross, Central Region President and Chief Commercial Officer for Renasant Corporation (EMBA 1989) will advise the new Board as past President. For more information on the EMBA board members click here.

During the meeting the Board received an update on the overall college and EMBA Program by Interim Dean Brian Gray and Director Donna Blackburn. According to President Ben Paulk, “It is important for us, as we formulate a strategy, to understand how the EMBA Alumni Network fits into the context of the larger picture for Culverhouse College of Commerce and The University of Alabama.”

The new board was also briefed on last year’s activities and successes. Ben continued, “We had a great slate of events for the 30^th EMBA Anniversary celebration and we hope to capitalize on the momentum that was created. I am looking forward to working with this esteemed Board to further the mission statement of our Alumni Network.”
For more information about the Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.5401 or request information here.

Time to Reflect

• October 28th, 2015
• in EMBA Alumni Network

When I made the decision to run for President of the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Alumni Network at The University of Alabama for 2014-15, I knew it would be an important responsibility, one that would require a serious commitment. The EMBA Program has and continues to have a serious impact on me as a business person and as a community leader. It was important in assuming this position that I would be able to devote the necessary time and energy the role of president demands. My number one priority was to take this opportunity to give back to the school that gave so much to me. The experiences gained through the EMBA curriculum gave me a “head start” on many of my peers in the commercial banking business early in my career.  My family has benefited greatly from those experiences, and I will always feel indebted to UA as a result.

I have been very honored to have worked with a wonderful group of professionals willing to share their talents and expertise.  The EMBA Alumni Network is a tremendous resource promoting the EMBA Program, professional networking, educational offerings and social events.
In October 2014, the board members participated in a strategic planning session to examine our by-laws, mission and strategic objectives. Our focus became the recognition and celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Executive MBA Program. We kicked off 2014 with a Rooftop Reception at the Renasant Bank in Tuscaloosa honoring the EMBA founders: Dr. H.H. “Bill” Mitchell, Dean of Culverhouse College of Commerce 1981-1986); Dr. Lonnie Strickland (MBA Director 1982-1986); and, Ms. Gina Johnson (MBA Coordinator 1982-1986).

Other 30th Anniversary events followed. On May 2, we recognized the 30th graduation class, the EMBA Class of 2015, at a Graduation Brunch in the North Zone.  Throughout May we held networking events in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Mobile. In June we held our very first Family Day at the Tuscaloosa River Market complete with games, prizes and a movie night. In August, we headed to the ballpark in Birmingham to watch the Barons play. And, finally we wrapped up with a Roll Tide Tailgate last Saturday, October 24, watching the Crimson Tide beat the Tennessee Volunteers.

The next board will also be tasked with reviewing the results from the EMBA Alumni Survey conducted August-September this year. The survey will inform the new board as it plans future Network activities and initiatives. Results from the survey will appear soon in an upcoming blog.

I want to thank the many alumni who have been supportive throughout the year. I also want to thank the board members with which I served:  Vice President Jennifer Thomas (TEMBA 2014), Secretary-Treasurer Beckie Crawford (TEMBA 2013), Communications Chair Ben Paulk (TEMBA 2012) and Past President Kent Darzi (HEMBA 2010). They continue to give and mentor and do whatever is needed, from welcoming the incoming classes to being there at graduation to help celebrate. I also want to thank the EMBA staff, who care deeply about the alumni and students and do an outstanding job.

We could not have done all of this without you.

In the coming year, I look forward as Past President to working with the incoming 2015-2016 EMBA Alumni Network Board. We’ve made tremendous progress as an organization and we will carry that momentum forward. It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as President of the EMBA Alumni Network.

Michael Ross (TEMBA 1989) is Central Region President & Chief Commercial Officer of Renasant Corporation

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

Celebrating EMBA Class of 2015 Graduates, Families and Veterans

• May 28th, 2015
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

May is always a hectic month for our Executive MBA Program. May is graduation month, a time for celebrating the accomplishments of our most recent graduating class. After 17-21 months of academic coursework, team assignments, case discussions, projects, presentations, international travel and very little sleep, our students become graduates. On May 2, 2015, the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program recognized the graduates and families with an Awards Banquet at the North Zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium before the formal University of Alabama commencement at Coleman Coliseum.

This year 27 graduates received their M.B.A. degrees from the Huntsville and Tuscaloosa EMBA classes. We also marked a milestone with our 30th graduating class in Tuscaloosa. Awards were also given to recognize class leaders and MVPs, students earning a 4.0 GPA and outstanding faculty.  This year’s honorees included TEMBA President Justin Merritt and Vice President Ryan Aday, HEMBA President Randy Lewis, TEMBA MVP Neil DiChiara and HEMBA MVP Nate Drees.  Graduates receiving a 4.0 GPA: Mike Brost, Nate Drees, Ashley Erickson, Justin Havrilla, Justin Merrit, Philip Morrison, Ross Swenson, Amy Tucker and Liz Williford.

In addition, the Huntsville and Tuscaloosa classes awarded Dr. James F. Cashman Faculty Awards and EMBA Faculty Excellence Awards. The Dr. James F. Cashman Faculty Award honors the memory of the late EMBA strategy implementation professor whose high standards of integrity served as a pristine example for his students. The TEMBA class bestowed the Cashman Award to Dr. William Walsh, Economics Instructor; and HEMBA recognized Dr. Ron Dulek, the John R. Miller Professor of Management.  The Faculty Excellence Awards went to Dr. William Walsh (TEMBA) and Dr. Rich Houston (HEMBA), Director, Culverhouse School of Accountancy and Hilton Dean Professor of Accounting.

Attending the EMBA Awards Banquet and University Commencement were over 150 family members. It is always a highlight for EMBA faculty and staff to celebrate with the family this great achievement. “We often tell students that they will find doing the program difficult without company support but impossible without family support.

The family’s encouragement and assistance cannot be underestimated,” said Donna Blackburn, director of the Executive MBA Program.

It is also a highlight for our EMBA Program to recognize the many Veterans we have in our program. This year 22% of our EMBA graduating class were Veterans. “During Commencement Veterans were given red, white and blue cords to wear with our regalia,” said Clint Vance. “UA respects and takes care of Vets who wish to attend college. Most have had a rough time and (the EMBA Program and Veteran and Military Affairs office) make it easy, and I never had an issue that was not promptly addressed.” Clint is a U.S. Army Veteran, and is currently AMP Manager with ProEquities in Birmingham.

Thank you to the family, friends and companies that supported our graduates throughout the program. Check out more photos from graduation on our Facebook page. Once again, congratulations to the Executive MBA Class of 2015:

Nancy Acquavella, Yorktown Systems Group, Inc.
Ryan Aday, BBVA Compass Bank
Julia Bobick, U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center
Mike Brost, Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.
Zac Buchanan, Blue Line Rental
Kathleen Crawford, Department of the Army
Neal DiChiara, The University of Alabama
Nathan Drees, Universal Lighting Technologies
Ashley Erickson, AMRDEC
Justin Havrilla, AAR Integrated Technologies
Jeremy Howe, Columbia College
Matthew Legg, Sterne Agee
Randy Lewis, U.S. Army
Kelly Lindsey, The Golf Associates
Justin Merritt, KBR, Inc.
Philip Morrison, Chip Rewards
Vanessa Pettway, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Sam Price, Nucor Steel Birmingham, Inc.
Adam Ritch, JMJ Associates
Ross Swenson, Regions Financial Corporation
Garett Toflinski, Randall-Reilly
Amy Tucker, Sonoco
Clint Vance, ProEquities, Inc.
Katherine Wayne, SAIC/PFRMS
Lance Will, Honeywell Aerospace
Robb Williams, Lear Corporation
Liz Williford, Southern Nuclear
For more information about the Culverhouse EMBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl at caltemara@cba.ua.edu, or call 205.348.4501.

EMBA Women’s Leadership Luncheon Addresses Changing Landscape of Healthcare Industry

• April 15th, 2015
• in EMBA Alumni Network

On March 11, a panel of leaders in the healthcare industry addressed the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Women’s Leadership Luncheon at the Summit Club in downtown Birmingham. The panel moderator was Beckie Crawford (TEMBA 2013), Vice President of Finance for Southern Medical Health Systems. The panelists included Dr. Anne-Laura Cook, Ambulatory Network Consultant/Hospitalist, Baptist Health System; Vanessa Pettway (TEMBA 2015), Region Operations Manager, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical; and Dr. Lisa Mani (MBA 2006) Physician-Consultant in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

The panel discussion centered around the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and its impact across the healthcare industry.  In addition, the speakers addressed advanced innovations and new business models as methods for businesses to adapt in a very volatile market. The panel engaged the audience in a discussion on the “triple aim” of healthcare reform: decrease costs, improve outcomes and improve the patient experience. Finally, questions from the audience spurred the dialogue into many areas.

Audience members included alumni, prospective students, members of the Women’s Exchange, leaders from various industries and members of the EMBA staff. “This was a really great topic and the discussion comes at an opportune moment for everyone working in various sectors of the healthcare industry. It was very insightful,” said Joshua Meeks (TEMBA 2012), Director of Network Operations with Cigna-HealthSpring.

Founded in 2011, the Women’s Leadership Luncheon is an annual event established by the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program at the University of Alabama to bring professional women together to network and discuss business and leadership issues.

For more information on the Executive MBA Program or to schedule an interview or attend an upcoming event, please contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu of 205.348.4501.