EMBA Elite Spotlight: Alumni Network President Mike Ross

• January 27th, 2015
• in EMBA Alumni Network, EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Mike Ross, the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Alumni Network President, also serves as Chief Commercial Officer and Eastern Region President of Renasant Bank. After earning his Bachelor of Science from the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama in 1986, he returned just a few years later to earn his Masters from our Executive MBA program in 1989. Mike believes that the program was critically important to his early advancement into senior and executive management. “The additional practice I gained through my course work gave me an early advantage over most of my peers in the industry from an early stage (I was a young 23 years old when I started the program!)” Mike said.

After his oldest son began his freshman year at The University of Alabama, Mike decided to run for UA EMBA Alumni Network President because he wanted to give more to his Alma Mater. As President, Mike plans to focus on enhancing participation and communication from his fellow alumni by hosting additional events for networking and reconnecting.

First up will be the kick off for the EMBA’s 30th Anniversary, a Rooftop Reception at the Renasant Bank in downtown Tuscaloosa on April 17.  “We are extremely excited to have Mr. Ross and Renasant Bank host our 30th Anniversary event at their new bank,” said Donna Blackburn, director of the EMBA Program.  “Showcasing our achievements since 1985, along with our alumni, students and corporate sponsors such as Renasant is an honor and we look forward to a grand evening.”

“To members of the Network,” Mike said, “please consider proactively reaching out to your classmates and encourage them to participate. We would welcome feedback from anyone as to how we can make the Alumni Network more attractive and beneficial to its members. Also, please send us any news as to major events, promotions, and/or career changes you have made. The success of our members in their lives and careers is the best indicator of the value of the program. The more we can help promote the success of our members, the more valuable all of our degrees become.”

“To prospective new students,” Mike continued, “the EMBA Program at the University of Alabama will change your life forever. The skills you will learn, the experiences you will encounter, and the work ethic that you will adopt will serve you and your families well for the rest of your life. If you have a desire to set yourself apart from your competition in the workplace, please consider submitting an application.”

For more information about the Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.5401 or request information here.

EMBA Alumni Network Hosts Conference

• November 14th, 2014
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

On Saturday, November 1, the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Alumni Network hosted the second annual EMBA Alumni Network Conference in Mary Hewell Alston Hall at The University of Alabama. The conference featured various informational sessions and updates on the EMBA program as well as the announcement of the newly-elected Alumni Network Board.

One benefit of becoming a Culverhouse EMBA alum is the option to accompany students, faculty, and staff during their annual international trip. Conference attendees learned the spring 2015 destinations: Panama City, Panama, and Bogotá, Colombia.

Session topics included Preparing to Face the Media, Alabama Economic Outlook, Promoting Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn, and Dealing with Difficult People. Kent Darzi, 2013-2014 Alumni Network President, shared updates and accomplishments with attendees, such as the network lunches in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Mobile, and Boston; their first annual tailgate reunion; and the creation of the AlabamaEMBAwear.com website.

Please join us in congratulating the members of the 2014-2015 Alumni Network Board: President Michael Ross, EMBA 1989, 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.

The new Board has several fresh faces, but Ben Paulk and Kent Darzi are returning from the Network’s inaugural year. With Paulk and Darzi’s experience and the completed organizational infrastructure, the new Board has plenty of underlying support to put their plans into action. We are excited to witness the growth and prosperity of the Alumni Network. Under its new leadership, President Ross announced that the Board will engage in several initiatives, including the 30th anniversary of the Culverhouse Executive MBA.

For more information about the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or request information here.

Celebrating the EMBA Alumni Network’s First Year

• September 29th, 2014
• in EMBA Alumni Network

With elections for the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Alumni Network board wrapping up on September 30 and his time as president drawing to a close, Kent Darzi, HEMBA 2010, proudly reflects on the Executive MBA Alumni Network’s initial year. “The EMBA Alumni Network provides an extensive system of support for alumni throughout the country, networking events, social gatherings for alumni and family and educational seminars,” said Darzi.  After building a solid foundation of logistics and infrastructure last year, Darzi is excited to see the UA EMBA Alumni Network continue to connect even more EMBAs and their families with each other and The University of Alabama.

Just like starting a business, chartering an organization demands a meticulous planning process. The founding Alumni Network Board litigated university permissions, bylaws, and other procedures, setting up the organization’s groundwork for years to come.

Not only did Darzi and the rest of the 2014 UA EMBA Alumni Network Board take care of the behind-the-scenes formalities, they also held multiple events, an EMBA Alumni Weekend last November, reunions in cities across Alabama, and a data mining session in Tuscaloosa.

Darzi is most proud of the tailgate that the Alumni Network hosted at the Alabama vs. Southern Miss game a few weeks ago, which was the perfect finale to his tenure as president.

Darzi is proud of the accomplishments that the Alumni Network has achieved in its startup year, but he is even more excited to see where it goes from here. With 797 alumni across the country and the globe, there is only room to grow. His advice to the new president: keep expanding the network from the ground up by facilitating communication.

Try to consider events that could bring the most alumni together. Plan around time zones to keep alumni active. While face-to-face interactions are the most desirable, communicating even when away from each other will only build alumni relationships. Take advantage of the chance to be creative now that the infrastructure is complete.

The newly elected 2015 UA Executive MBA Alumni Network Board will be announced in October and will be formally presented at the annual conference on November 1.

For more information about the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or request information here.

Executive MBA Alumni Network Hosts Reunion Tailgate

• September 18th, 2014
• in EMBA Alumni Network

Last Saturday, September 13, the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Alumni Network gathered on campus at The University of Alabama for football, food, and fun before the Tide rolled over Southern Miss 52-12. The tailgate brought together over 60 guests, including alumni from several classes as well as their friends and family. The event was held in Presidential Park, near Alston Hall and Bryant-Denny Stadium.

We would like to thank Executive MBA Alumni Network President Kent Darzi (HEMBA 2010) and Vice President Nathan Chilcutt (TEMBA 2013) for all of their time and effort planning the event. The tailgating equipment, food, and television were provided by Gameday Done Right, a local company started by Culverhouse graduate Tim Hughes.
Roll Tide!

For more information about the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA at The University of Alabama, visit our website or fill out an interest form here.

Manderson EMBA Alumni Celebrate A-Day 2014

• April 23rd, 2014
• in EMBA Alumni Network

There is nothing that Alabama fans like more than football, except maybe lots of food with football.  We suffer some withdrawal pains if we don’t see some crimson and Houndstooth, spot Big Al somewhere, hear the Million Dollar band, or yell “Roll Tide” at someone.  It’s more than just a game at Alabama. It’s a way of life.

Last Saturday, April 19, Culverhouse College of Commerce EMBA and MBA graduates, arrived in Tuscaloosa to attend the Manderson Graduate School breakfast before the A-Day game.  Alumni and their families received t-shirts, buttons and shakers to cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Our youngest fan arrived in a stroller and our most senior graduate, Frank Chandler, was from the MBA Class of 1970.

EMBA graduates from the Tuscaloosa and Huntsville programs from 2004-2012, showed up to reminisce and show their team spirit.  Tim Smalley, EMBA Class of 2009, arrived with his son, Drew, who will be graduating from Alabama with an M.B.A. in 2015.  The 2012 class had the most members to attend: Ben Paulk, Michelle Wooten and Allyson Welch.

Check out more pictures from A-Day on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UAEMBA.

EMBA Class and Alumni Meet P&G CIO Filippo Passerini

• February 19th, 2014
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

Dr. Filippo Passerini, CIO of Procter & Gamble and President, Global Business Services of P&G, presented a full-day seminar on “Staying Relevant in a VUCA World” on Saturday, February 15, to the T-EMBA Class of 2015 and EMBA alumni.

In the morning session, Dr. Passerini discussed the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) faced by businesses.   Afterwards, he talked about the solutions to these issues, which is also VUCA (Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility).

Dr. Passerini spent the rest of the morning session describing how P&G operates in a VUCA world through the use of business analytics for decision making, in particular the visualization of big data with decision cockpits and Business Sphere environments

(see http://www.pg.com/en_US/downloads/innovation/factsheet_BusinessSphere.pdf).

In the afternoon sessions, Dr. Passerini covered a variety of interesting managerial topics including leadership characteristics for success, the five situational leadership styles that managers must employ to be successful, the importance of storytelling for business leaders, a framework for business models, and frugal innovation in developing markets.  The students and alumni in attendance also participated in several managerial role-playing sessions.

Bringing in such profound leaders of industry is just one of the ways the University of Alabama Executive MBA creates value for both students and alumni.

“I think the session went very well,” said Ben Paulk, Sr. Product Manager at BBVA Compass and TEMBA Class of 2012. “It was great to hear from such a profound leader in industry, and it was a great opportunity for alumni to return for a refresher, get updates from faculty and network with current students.”

For more information about Dr. Filippo Passerini, please see http://www.pg.com/en_US/downloads/company/executive_team/bios/pg_executive_bio_Passerini.pdf.
For more information on the EMBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl at 205.348.4501.

Alumni: Get Involved, Get Active, Give Back

• January 10th, 2014
• in EMBA Alumni Network

As much as Universities are proud of their alumni, Universities need active alumni to promote, to participate, to be a voice for their alma mater. The Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama is kicking off 2014 with a call to alumni to “Get Involved, Get Active, Give Back.”

• Give Back. Assist your College in recruiting strong candidates by promoting the EMBA program to your company, co-workers, friends and colleagues. Invite them to lunch or to an EMBA event. Make a donation to The University of Alabama – Roll Tide!

Are you ready to Get Involved, Get Active and Give Back?  Contact Donna or Cheryl today at 205.348.8748 and Get Started.  Roll Tide!

UA EMBA Countdown to End of Year

• December 27th, 2013
• in EMBA Alumni Network, EMBA Program Information

December is the month of holidays, family and memories.  A time to remember and celebrate.  As the month draws to a close so comes the lists, and believe me, there are lots of lists.  Top 100 songs of the year, best movies of 2013, and top 10 iPhone apps – it’s Candy Crush Saga followed by YouTube. Then there are the strange lists like the ESPN Dallas Cowboys’ Craziest Losses – no matter how heartbroken you may be if your team lost this year the Cowboys take the “smack in the head, I can’t believe that just happened” award. Then there’s the 2013 Google’s top 10 searches that ranges from Nelson Mandela to the Royal baby…the lists goes on and on.

Not to be left out, we decided to present our own countdown for 2013. So here goes – the EMBA at The University of Alabama top five highlights for 2013:

#5 – Social Media reigned in the EMBA office.  We started our UAEMBA blog, University of Alabama EMBA LinkedIn group and company page, and UAEMBA Facebook page.

#4 – Istanbul, Turkey was our destination for the EMBA Class of 2013’s global strategy course.  Students encountered a rich cultural adventure and successful company visits. They were also treated to a warm welcome by chairman and CEO of Istanbul-based Bayraktar Group and UA graduate, Mustafa Bayraktar, at his company’s headquarters overlooking the Bosphorous. This year, we also offered spouse/guest optional packages and a post trip to Izmir. We also announced that alumni may join us on future trips.  The alumni package will include the same accommodations, meals, company visits and city tours as is provided to students. In 2014, we will have alumni on our Chile-Peru trip and encourage other alumni to join us in 2015.

#3 – Our 2013 EMBA Alumni survey yielded many success stories that we will be sharing with you in future blogs.  One of many highlights is that after graduation, 46 percent of our alumni received promotions within their company, 30 percent changed companies for promotions and 11 percent started their own business.

#2 – The EMBA Alumni Association was established.  The EMBA program has graduated 766 students.  In November, we celebrated the creation of the EMBA Alumni Association with a return to campus event that included faculty presentations, networking, updates on continuing education and certification programs that are now available to EMBA alumni, and a Welcome Back to T-Town party at Dreamland BBQ.

#1 – UA EMBA welcomed our sixth class in Huntsville and our 30th class in Tuscaloosa.  In 1985, we enrolled our first EMBA class in Tuscaloosa, and we will be graduating our 30th class in May 2015.
It has been an exciting and thrilling year.  From all of us in the EMBA Program, we wish you Happy Holidays and a bright New Year.
Donna, Brian, Cheryl, Linda, Matt, Courtney and Gary

EMBA Alumni Association Kickoff Weekend

• November 7th, 2013
• in EMBA Alumni Network

Executive MBA Alumni, from the first class of 1986 to the latest graduating classes, gathered in Tuscaloosa this past weekend to reconnect, meet new contacts, learn what’s happening at Culverhouse and find out about the newly formed EMBA Alumni Association.

Friday night kicked off the festivities with a reunion at Dreamland BBQ in Northport. Amidst the BBQ ribs and sweet tea, the room was abuzz with introductions, career updates and reminiscing about the program. This type of networking is one of the primary reasons the EMBA Alumni Association has been formed.

On Saturday, attendees were treated to several presentations over a wide range of topics. The event resembled a class weekend – except there were no tests or homework. Dr. Brooks gave an enlightening presentation on the Jefferson County Bankruptcy, followed by a fascinating presentation on big data and analytics by Dr. Gray and Dr. Keskin. Leroy Hurt, Associate Dean of the College of Continuing Studies, gave an overview  of professional certification training that was available through the school. These types of continual learning opportunities will be an integral part of future events.

Finally, Kent Darzi, the President of the EMBA Alumni Association, talked about the newly formed chapter. He gave a summary of the chapter’s mission and asked for input from the alumni base present. A discussion ensued where topics such as community service, event ideas and recruitment were raised. Donna Blackburn shared recent survey results, which has helped shape the chapter’s charter. Statistics about alumni career path, salaries, expectations and their view of the EMBA program were shared and discussed.

The overall consensus was that the weekend was a great success. Attendees enjoyed the networking opportunities, the presentations and visiting the campus again. We hope to have even better attendance as more events are held and the Alumni chapter grows in membership.

For details on how to join the EMBA Alumni Association, please contact Cheryl Altemara at 205-348-4501 or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.