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 Elite Spotlight Series: Nancy Acquavella

• August 22nd, 2014
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Nancy Acquavella is a business owner, an avid traveller, a wife, and the mother of three pups. With the flexibility of the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program, Nancy is able to fill her various roles as well as one more:  University of Alabama student. To Nancy, success is more than winning; it is about putting forth effort and taking a risk. “(Success is) going after your dreams with everything you have – if it doesn’t work out it isn’t failure, it is success because you tried,” Nancy said. From opening a company with her husband to earning her MBA while working full time, Nancy is definitely succeeding.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Old Dominion University, Nancy joined the entry-level workforce of a small New Jersey company. Dedication and guidance from her mentors drove her up the corporate ladder and into the executive position of Senior Vice President. Today, Nancy is Chief Administrative Officer and co-owner of Yorktown Systems Group, Inc., which she opened with her husband in 2008.

Yorktown Systems Group is a small business that is making an impact providing training, education, and management services to the government. After five years in operation, the company landed on the 2013 Inc. 500 Ι 5000 list with a ranking of 432 – fourth of all ranked Alabama companies and 35^th in the government services industry. Nancy and her team conduct the company’s administrative procedures including customer service, human resources, contract management, and more.

Since Nancy’s position requires her to be involved in multiple areas of her company, she knows the value of her free time and chose to invest it into our Executive MBA program because of our convenient schedule and the well-known merit of  The University of Alabama. Nancy’s role as a small business owner gives her a unique opportunity to apply the expertise she gains in class as the program progresses. “I’ve been able to tailor the projects to specific issues we have at our business – so I’m not only learning the skills, but also utilizing them in real work issues to get answers and insight,” Nancy said.

There is no wondering where Nancy acquired her taste for travel – born on Christmas Day to Mary (Ann) and Joseph in Beijing, China, Nancy grew up between Bonn, Germany and Arlington, Virginia. Although she has visited at least 35 states as well as various locations in the Caribbean, Australia, and Europe, Nancy finds it difficult to single out the best destination. When asked to choose, Nancy responded, “My favorite destination in the US or abroad is the same – somewhere I’ve never been before. Any day in a new place is a fantastic adventure to me.” Nancy is in for a treat in the spring when she embarks on the annual International Trip with her classmates and the EMBA staff and faculty to The Republic of Panama and Colombia.

For more information about the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or fill out an interest form here.

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Patrick Ellinger

• June 6th, 2014
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

This month’s edition of the EMBA Elite Spotlight Series is about Patrick Ellinger, who graduated from the Huntsville program with a 4.0 GPA this May. After earning his MBA, Patrick accepted a position as Senior Product Manager for Professional Services for Emerson Network Power. A Huntsville native, Patrick graduated Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1995. He now has almost twenty years of experience in sales, operations, delivery, and management of IT Technical and Professional Services. He allocates much of the credit for his success to his early mentors as well as his wife and college sweetheart, Jennifer.

Patrick was inspired to pursue his Executive MBA because of his strong belief in education, learning, and continuous improvement. Although he is an Auburn fan, Patrick knew that UA’s EMBA program was the best choice for him. “I was born, raised, and am still very much today an avid Auburn University man. When my friends and family found out I was attending the University of Alabama’s EMBA program, they were in complete shock. After these two years, I can tell you I have made many close friends in my classmates, faculty, and administration.  I initially selected Alabama over other programs as it was a strong program and a better fit for my busy schedule with the Huntsville location option every other weekend. I now see the rivalry in a bigger picture and have a new appreciation for the Crimson Tide in my heart and am very grateful to the University for this experience and new life-long friendships.”

As Senior Product Manager for Professional Services, Patrick is responsible for validation and alignment of the pricing, positioning, and marketing of Emerson Network Power’s wide portfolio of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) services. “This is truly an exciting opportunity for me and my career and the perfect launching point from my graduation from the EMBA program,” says Patrick. He also works with the product management and professional services delivery teams to ensure pristine customer satisfaction. Patrick describes his leadership style as transformational: “I strive to be a role model for growth and positive change that can motivate others through my optimistic nature and detailed commitment.” This transformational leadership style is one asset that helps Patrick fit seamlessly into his new role.

Emerson Network Power is driven by creative ideas and actions. The company provides innovative solutions for renewable energy, AC & DC power, precision cooling systems, and embedded computing, just to name a few. Not only does Emerson Network Power protect and optimize critical infrastructure for data centers, but also for communications networks, healthcare, industrial facilities, and more.

For more information about the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or (205) 348-4501.

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Wyman Hamilton & Scott Goldberg

• May 16th, 2014
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

This month, our EMBA Elite Spotlight is Scott Goldberg and Wyman Hamilton, both members of the Culverhouse College of Commerce Tuscaloosa Executive MBA class of 2013. After meeting in the program, the pair combined Wyman’s expertise in senior living with Scott’s in entrepreneurship to found Atlas Senior Living.

With over ten years of experience in the field, Wyman has been passionate about serving senior citizens since high school. He received his BS in Health Administration from Auburn University. During his tenure with Brookdale Senior Living, he was responsible for the management and operation of 35 communities in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. His experiences led him to write a book about leadership style and inspiration, which reveals the importance of cooperation, enthusiasm, and originality to Wyman. This enthusiasm and originality prospered after Wyman’s experience in the Manderson Executive MBA Program.

“The program gave me the tools and confidence to branch out from corporate America and become an entrepreneur,” said Wyman.

Scott received his BS from Mississippi State University. After graduating, he became Senior Director of Texas Sandwich Investors, LLC, which owned the rights to develop 100 Lenny’s Sub Shops in North Texas. Scott also served as the company’s CEO & Managing Partner for four years. Before Atlas Senior Living, Scott left Texas Sandwich Investors to found GoldOne Group. Given his entrepreneurial background, Scott has the expertise to help make Atlas a success. According to Scott, “We will always implement key business strategies from past experiences, but what excites me the most (is that) this business, compared to others, significantly allows me a role in positively impacting lives.”

Atlas Senior Living aims to provide outstanding service to its residents by utilizing Wyman and Scott’s unique problem solving and management strategies. A quote from the Atlas Senior Living blog perfectly describes their notion of collaborative management: “The best solution to most problems comes from those closest to them.” As the blog explains, their style of leadership requires attention and respect for their residents, employees, and clients. Instead of delegating or demanding, the Atlas managerial staff utilizes the familiarity of those with the most exposure to problem to help get to the source of their issues. This gives residents and employees influence while creating an inclusive environment and ridding the community of conflict.

Atlas Senior Living will be opening their first community, Madison Heights, this September in Evans, Georgia. Madison Heights will be the first all memory care community in the area, tailored to the needs of residents with memory diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. Atlas is also planning to begin construction on another new community this fall in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to residential housing management, Atlas Senior Living also provides consulting services and mock surveys, which will help spread their resident-centered, collaborative management model to the rest of the industry.

To find out more about Atlas Senior Living, check out their blog and website.
For more information about the Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or 205.348.4501.

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Matt Bogue

• April 28th, 2014
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Last Friday, March 25, 2014, was a day of celebration and remembrance for the Dutch Pharmacies’ grand opening in Tuscaloosa.  Matt Bogue, EMBA Class of 2014, and Vice President of Dutch Medical Clinics for The Dutch Group and his wife, Amy, welcomed the Tuscaloosa community and the University of Alabama EMBA family (classmates, faculty and staff) to the opening of their 83rd store.  This is the first super store venture in Alabama for The Dutch Group, founded in 1972.

The company, founded by Matt’s grandfather-in-law, Joe Gillis, grew up not far from the new pharmacy located next door to Sprint Mart at 445 15th Street, East in Tuscaloosa.  “In the aftermath of the tragic tornado that struck Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011, my grandfather wanted to do something for the community, to give back to a place that has meant so much to him,” said Amy Bogue.

For over 40 years, The Dutch Group has introduced innovative business concepts from the design of commercial buildings to the operation of convenience stores with fuel, travel centers, fast food operations, pharmacies, and commercial shopping centers.  They pioneered many other new marketing concepts, such as starting a pharmacy business within a traditional convenience store in 1990, maintaining competitive prices and delivering personal touch. “Being part of the local community is key for The Dutch Group,” said Matt, “our pharmacies are independently operated to provide a true hometown service.”

In addition to celebrating the grand opening, Matt is also looking forward to graduating from the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program at UA, on Saturday, May 3.  Matt will become the second in his family to graduate from the EMBA program.  His father-in-law, Rex Gillis, President of The Dutch Group, graduated in 1991. Roll Tide!

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Kathi Dawn

• January 30th, 2014
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series
• 3 Comments

Our first EMBA Elite student spotlight for 2014 is Kathi Dawn, a member of UA’s Huntsville EMBA class of 2014. Kathi received a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology from the University of South Florida in Tampa and has been working for Genesis Healthcare as an assistant administrator at River City Center in Decatur, Alabama for the past year and half.

“I absolutely love it,” Kathi said. “A month into the EMBA program, Dana (Briley) Runager, another MBA classmate, and I were discussing being busy at work because we were both doing two jobs. After inquiring more, I learned that she was looking to hire an assistant administrator. One month later, I had toured the building, had an interview, and was hired. I ended my seven-year public health career to accept a position in healthcare management, and since then have completed a 1,000-hour administrator-in-training-program and acquired my Alabama Nursing Home Administrator license.”
Kathi says her purpose for pursuing her MBA degree was to find a new career with room for vertical growth. “Joining the EMBA program is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and has had a powerful impact on my career,” she said. “The biggest benefit I have received is my career change, and therefore my ROI. I loved my career in public health, but at the end of the day, there wasn’t much room for growth.”

Kathi is engaged to her fiancé, Kevin, and together they have a 3-year-old son, Kameron. According to Kathi, a supportive family is crucial to being successful in the EMBA program.

“Balancing work, home life and school definitely has its challenges,” she said. “To help manage the balance, I try to get as much work done for the next class session as soon as we finish up with the current weekend of class. That way I don’t have to worry about what comes up during the week at work or home.”

Kathi believes that success is in the eye of the beholder. “I feel it’s important to note that success truly is one’s own idea of possibilities, and it is within that framework that we either declare success or failure.” She says that for her, it’s the idea of success that drives hard work, creativity and perseverance.
“I believe Orison Swett Marden had it right: ‘Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.'”

Kathi’s immediate goal upon graduation from the EMBA program is to advance within the Genesis Healthcare system as an administrator. Her favorite inspirational quote is one from Elizabeth Edwards, lawyer, author and wife of 2008 Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator John Edwards, just days before she passed away from breast cancer in 2010.

“The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.”

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Staci Woods

• October 25th, 2013
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Our EMBA Elite student spotlight for October is Staci Woods. Staci is the class president of The University of Alabama EMBA program in Huntsville, Class of 2014. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Communication from UA, majoring in journalism with a minor in political science. She is currently working for Oracle as a customer experience sales consultant for marketing and loyalty solutions while pursuing her EMBA degree.
Before returning to graduate school, Staci worked for a company in Louisville, Kentucky. “I was very blessed to be in an organization where I went from an entry-level position to company officer during my 11 years there,” she said. After the  company was sold in 2011, Staci and her husband, Rick, moved back to her hometown of Decatur, Alabama.

Staci’s decision to pursue an EMBA degree came from her desire to expand her knowledge of business beyond what she had learned from the company in Louisville. “Everything I knew I had learned from one company,” she said. “I wanted the opportunity to learn strategy, finance and the big picture of business to broaden my perspective and understand different viewpoints.”

Staci and Rick have been married for five years. Although they have no children at home, the couple opens their home to a group of “new adults” age 18-24 that they mentor through their church.
One challenge EMBA students face is finding the time to balance home life, work and school. “It’s tough!” Staci said. “What I have learned is that it’s important during grad school to compartmentalize life.” By planning her days in advance and scheduling times for school work, Staci is able to get a true mental break each week.

“I work hard to have one day a week where I don’t work on school or my career, even if it means late nights other nights of the week. My husband and I schedule dates to make sure we stay close through this process.”

According to Staci, the UA Huntsville EMBA program is impacting her career in powerful ways. “The practice of analyzing business cases in many different courses has been the most helpful. In my job, I have a new company with different processes to learn practically every week,” she said. “It’s my responsibility to learn marketing strategies they employ, their business processes and organizational structure in order to consult them on how Oracle technology can support or improve their performance.”

After completing her EMBA, Staci plans to relax, catch up on reading, enjoy her backyard, host more parties and spend lots of time with her family and friends. Her goal is to retire with her husband while in her early 50s.

For more information about the EMBA program at UA, visit emba.ua.edu.

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Joel Druxman

• September 6th, 2013
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

This month, our student spotlight is Joel Druxman, a member of the Culverhouse College of Commerce Tuscaloosa EMBA class of 2009 at The University of Alabama. Joel received his undergrad in mechanical engineering from New Mexico State University. He has been married for almost 10 years, and he and his wife, Dr. Vlada Groysman, have two children, a 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son.

When Joel entered the EMBA program at UA, he was working as an operations manager for Commercial Metals Company. Since completing his EMBA, Joel and his wife have recently started their own medical practice, Cahaba Dermatology, located in Hoover, Alabama. “My wife practiced in the department of Dermatology at UAB for 4 years and decided she was ready to go solo. We are somewhat of a husband/wife team. She’s the doc, and I’m managing the business,” Joel said. “I have always had an entrepreneurial drive, and the EMBA program helped to better channel that drive.”

Working with a spouse or significant other could be challenging for some, but Joel and his wife are enjoying the dynamic. “It’s probably not for everyone, but it has strengthened our relationship in many ways. It’s very easy to get hurt feelings when disagreements arise, so we try to engage each other more as co-workers rather than husband and wife in these instances.”

For a husband and father of two, finding a balance between work and family can certainly prove to be difficult.  To add in the startup of a new medical practice just screams the word “chaotic.” Although it has been a challenge, Joel and his wife have found a “method to the madness” that works for them. “When you own and operate your own business, it’s not always possible to turn things off when the garage door opens, so you just have to find a balance and timing that works. We try to put our kids first and find the time with what’s left.”

Owning and managing a medical practice has really given Joel an opportunity to cash in on his EMBA degree. According to Joel, the general knowledge of how a business is run and what metrics are key are some of the most helpful things he learned from the program. “I feel the knowledge helps us to ask the right questions of those advising us and keep ourselves ahead of the curve. Knowledge of marketing and operations philosophies has been a big ROI for us.”

Joel’s advice for current or upcoming EMBA students is to learn from the program and then be flexible as you apply your knowledge to your own pursuits and goals. “Don’t think you know everything, and make sure you build a good team around you. Work on your networking and communication skills in the program as these are critical.”

You can check out the medical practice Joel and his wife started by visiting www.cahabaderm.com.

For more information about the EMBA program at UA, visit emba.ua.edu.

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Paul Mongeon

• August 9th, 2013
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

This week we will be posting our first EMBA Elite Spotlight. These articles will help share more about the EMBA program at The University of Alabama from an insider’s point of view, as well as some EMBA alumni and student success stories.

Our first student spotlight is Paul Mongeon, a member of the Tuscaloosa EMBA class of 2014. Paul is originally from Beulah, North Dakota, but has lived in Mississippi for the past 15 years. He has been married for 12 years, has two kids, and works as the Engineering Manager at North American Coal Red Hills Mine in Ackerman, MS. Paul is a current EMBA student at UA, and is preparing for the upcoming international trip to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru in February, as well as his graduation from the EMBA program in May.

Paul has an undergrad degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University. His favorite book is Good to Great by Jim Collins, and he is currently reading up on South American culture to prepare for the international trip.

Balancing work, family, and graduate school is always a concern when considering an EMBA degree. As a father, husband, and engineering manager for his company, Paul Mongeon had the same concerns. “I have always enjoyed business, and I realized there is never a good time to go back to school,” Paul said.

Pictured: Paul Mongeon (right) with classmate Jason Cochran (left)

One of Paul’s favorite EMBA team stories involves the negotiations class. “It started with an easy negotiation and ended up with two groups upset with each other because of a communication problem!” According to Paul, communication is vital when participating in the EMBA program. “My advice to someone starting the EMBA program is to communicate to everyone that you will be changing your life – so expect a major transformation!”

Paul defines success as learning and teaching as much as possible and says that the best business advice he has ever received was to live below your means. “I honestly think the negotiations class has changed my life the most. The skills I learned in this class have helped me deal with many difficult situations without unneeded stress.  I learned to never be caught without a backup plan and always anticipate tactics that others will use in negotiations.”

Check back for more spotlights on current EMBA students and alumni! For more information about the EMBA program at UA, visit emba.ua.edu.