HEMBA Alum Credits UA EMBA With Guiding Company

• June 27th, 2017
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Enrolling in an executive MBA program offers many benefits: broadening one’s business skills, obtaining a graduate degree, building a network of colleagues. And then, there is the serendipitous benefit of having a class transform the way you do business. For Zeph Isom (HEMBA 2016), the New Venture Development class in the final semester of The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program continues to serve as guidance, as he works to grow a start-up company he is involved with, Plaid Systems Inc., and its Spruce Irrigation products.According to Isom, “Spruce is a smart irrigation system designed to replace and upgrade your current home irrigation controller or to be included in newly-installed irrigation systems.

The key differentiation between Spruce and others in the market is the full-integration of wireless moisture sensors. Spruce not only ‘looks up’ in the sky by reviewing near-term precipitation forecasts but it will also collect actual soil moisture and temperature levels to determine when and how much to water.”

Isom praises Dr. Craig Armstrong, who teaches the New Venture Development class, for his instruction and knowledge. During the EMBA Program, Isom took what was taught in class and applied the information to help successfully launch the 1st Generation Spruce system with an initial crowdfunding level of over $75,000.

“Gen 1 was, for all intents and purposes, our ‘minimal viable product.’ Feedback from customers helped give us direction on what to focus on and release for the 2nd Generation of Spruce products, which we started shipping to customers in May,” said Isom.
In addition to being involved with Spruce, Isom is also Senior Manager, Customer Service and Supply Chain Planning for Universal Lighting Technologies. He currently resides with his family in Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information about how the UA EMBA Program can transform the way you do business, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205-348-1042.

TEMBA Class Visits Mercedes

• June 13th, 2017
• in EMBA Program Information, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Executive MBA Class of 2018 visited Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., (MBUSI) in Vance, Alabama on June 8, 2017. The trip is part of the OM 516 Operations Management class taught in the second semester of the TEMBA Program.
During the trip the students met with Senior Manager-Body Shop Rusty Jones, Senior Manager Assembly 2 Shawn Gilliam and Assembly 2 Process and CI Specialist Patrick Weber.

Packaging Group Leader at MBUSI Maren Cross (TEMBA 2018) arranged for the class to be given a private managers tour of the Tuscaloosa county plant. MBUSI, which is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year, is the sole distribution site for the GLE-Class, GLS-Class vehicles, GLE Coupe which are sold in 135 countries.

The plant is more than five million square feet, encompassing two large body shops that feeds into a paint shop and two assembly shops and a logistics center. MBUSI exports more than $1 Billion in finished product. The Operations Management course exposes students to the nature of the operations side of an enterprise, and to the strategies and tactics utilized to enhance the competitive position of the organization. Operations Management is one of twelve courses the EMBA students take to complete their M.B.A. degree program. The Manderson Graduate School of Business has two EMBA Programs, the next Tuscaloosa EMBA Program begins with an orientation in November and the Huntsville EMBA Program will begin in August.

For more information on UA EMBA contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501. To request information now, click here.

Roll Tide Celebration for the EMBA Class of 2017 Graduates

• May 12th, 2017
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

Celebrating the completion of their Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama on May 6, forty-two graduates received degrees, accolades and an immediate welcome as the newest members of the UA EMBA Alumni Network.
Graduation kicked off with the formal University of Alabama Commencement at Coleman Coliseum. Line up for our EMBA Class of 2017 graduates in the Hank Crisp facility means donning caps, gowns, hoods on the indoor football practice field. And, as has become our tradition, the EMBA staff cheered the graduates’ processional with shouts of Roll Tide!
Following Commencement, the graduates and their families joined faculty and staff for the EMBA Graduation Awards Ceremony at the North Zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Dr. Kay Palan, Dean of Culverhouse College of Commerce, addressed the crowd of 240 attendees. Dean Palan recognized the dedication and the hard work the Class of 2017 went through to earn their M.B.A. She also thank the families for their support.

“When I started the program,” said graduate Anuraag Malaviya, “I was unsure how I would manage family, job and this demanding endeavor but with each class weekend that passed I gained that extra bit of confidence to complete the program.” Throughout the graduation celebration, faculty and staff were thanked by the graduates for the support and care that was given to make sure they would succeed.
Receiving special awards this year were Dr. Rob Morgan and Professor Jim Brown who won the James F. Cashman Faculty Award. This award is given by the students and recognizes a faculty member for their advice, counsel, positive influence on students and the high standards of integrity they exemplify.
Drs. James King and Don Minyard were honored with Executive MBA Faculty Excellence Awards for outstanding commitment to the EMBA Program through their exceptional instruction, generating a positive learning environment and creating a significant impact on student understanding.
Class MVP awards were presented to Will Stinson (HEMBA) and Rich Winstead (TEMBA) for reflecting the high ideals and standards of their class, as well as being supportive of class and teammates, and showing integrity and leadership ability.
Nine EMBAs received 4.0 GPA recognition:  Christie Davis, Monte Green, Billy Helmandollar, Jamie McKinley, Lilly Setiawan, Ryan Stallings, Will Stroup, Dustin Whited and Rich Winstead.

After receiving their EMBA Awards of Completion, the EMBA Alumni Network President Russell Shamburger (EMBA 2004), officially welcomed the Class of 2017 as alumni. Shamburger encouraged the new graduates to stay involved and to consider running for Board positions later this fall.
Following the ceremony the students, faculty, staff and family members took an EMBA Class of 2017 family portrait, followed by a tour of the Bryant-Denny Stadium locker room and tunnel.

Congratulations, EMBA Class of 2017!  Well done and ROLL TIDE!
UA EMBA Class of 2017 Graduates:

• Ruqayyah Abdullah, BBVA Compass
• Michael Adams, Randall-Reilly
• Katherine Askew, The University of Alabama
• Brady Baird, Summerville United Methodist Church
• Jay Brooks, Tag Grinding
• Felicia Craig, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
• Christie Davis, Northport Police Department
• Jason Deane, Lincoln Financial Distributors
• Sierra Earle, USAmeriBank
• Chuck Freind, Amerex Corporation
• Monte Green, McLeod Software
• Sonya Harner, Nissan North America
• Matt Hartley, Chemetall
• Jimmy Hassan, Dayton Superior Corporation
• Billy Helmandollar, DCH Health System
• Mary Scott Hunter, Intuitive Research and Technology Corp.
• Shane Jackson, AMRDEC
• Natasha Johnson, Reckitt Benckiser Manufacturing
• Doug Lafont, Premier Tech Chronos
• Walt Long, U.S. Air Force, MAFB
• Anuraag Malaviya, Tata Consultancy Services
• Frazer McCurdy, ServisFirst Bank
• Jamie McKinley, Poarch Band of Creek Indians
• Hayley Ray McNeill, The University of Alabama
• Barry Navarre, Southern Telecom
• Gaurav Negi, ADTRAN, Inc.
• Sean O’Brien, UPS
• Nicole Reynolds, Appleton Talent
• Josh Rountree, Nissan North America
• Bryan Sanders, Otis Elevator Company
• Lilly Setiawan, The Dutch Group
• Dane Shaw, Arsenal Place Accelerator
• Ryan Stallings, First South Farm Credit
• Will Stinson, TotalPrint, DEC Company
• Will Stroup, The Brogdon Group
• Joe Taylor, PPG Industries
• Bhuwan Thakur, Infosys Limited
• Josh Vinson, Parallon Business Solutions
• Beth Webster, Small Business Development Center, UA
• Dustin Whited, MDA/ECM
• Rich Winstead, U.S. Navy
• Matt Zepp, Department of the Army

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

2017 UA EMBAs Explore Saigon, Singapore and Thailand

• May 5th, 2017
• in International Trip

The first thing you need to learn when you arrive in Saigon is that when you cross the street you look straight ahead and never at the oncoming motorcyclists racing around you.  Just keep walking and they will adjust to your gait. If you stop, well, you’re a hood ornament.

Our University of Alabama Executive MBA Class of 2017 arrived in Saigon, Vietnam on February 25, to begin the first leg of their international study abroad trip. The students not only learned to navigate the streets, but many of them enjoyed a foodie motorbike tour where they sampled local cuisine at stops along the way. But nothing compared to experiencing the streets on the back of a bike.

The EMBA study abroad trip is part of the International Business course taught in the final semester.  It is a highlight of the 16-course program. The trip focuses on strategy, marketing, finance, economics and global business. This past February and March students met with senior officials at companies in Saigon, Vietnam and Singapore.

In addition to visiting with Huntingdale and Esquel Garment Manufacturing in Saigon, the students delivered two NGO consulting projects to Mekong Quilts and La Petite Epicerie.

Mekong Quilts main aim is to create sustainable employment for underprivileged women in remote and rural regions of Vietnam and Cambodia. La Petite Epicerie partners with a network of small farmers in southern Vietnam committed to produce premium food with strict standards ensuring the best end product.
The EMBAs presented to the companies a detailed expansion strategy and global business model on entering the U.S. market (La Petite Epicerie) and for growing its U.S. presence (Mekong Quilts).
No trip to Saigon is complete without a visit to the Mekong Delta.  Coursing the river, the students stopped to sample local food and a few even braved a taste of rattlesnake-infused Vodka.

The class continued their trip with a stay in Singapore.  Students visited healthcare company Edwards Lifesciences and Open Port, the first neutral mobile platform connecting shippers and carriers. They also met with iProperty, a leading real estate website company; FMC Technologies, a global provider of equipment and services for the energy industry; DBS Bank; Facebook and media management GlobeCast.

According to Barry Navarre, Business Development Manager at Southern Telecom, “The greatest benefit of being on the UA EMBA trip is the exposure to different cultures and how those cultural differences impact business environments.” In Singapore students took in a city tour of Little India and culturally-rich Chinatown with its temples and traditional shop houses. With the sweeping view of the harbor from their hotel, the students took advantage of visiting the many sites and nightlife in their evening hours. And, if Vietnam and Singapore were not enough for one visit, half of the class extended their trip with an optional post to Koh Samui, Thailand for another stamp in the passport.  The optional post trips have become very popular with the EMBAs for providing “bucket list” trip excursions to not-to-be-missed destinations.

For more information on the UA EMBA Program and the international study abroad trip, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or Hayley Ray McNeill at hrmcneill@cba.ua.edu, or call 205.348.4501.

EMBA Alumnus David Lyles Wins Woodruff Award

• April 27th, 2017
• in EMBA Alumni Network, EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

David Lyles, TEMBA alumnus, Class of 2012, won the Steve Woodruff Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award from the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama.

The Woodruff Award, presented on April 9, recognizes exemplary classroom teaching by an adjunct faculty member.
Lyles, County Transportation Manager for the Alabama Department of Transportation, is responsible for assisting with the management of projects (local county, city, industrial access, and transportation enhancement) within a six county area.

As an adjunct professor of management at UA since 2012 he teaches students enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) path to the MBA program, as well as courses in Leadership and Ethics, and Business Ethics.

“I was deeply honored to receive the Steve Woodruff Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, and to have it presented to me by Dr. Ron Dulek, who is so well-respected and taught me in EMBA, making it a double honor,” said Lyles. 
Lyles has been very active with the EMBA Program and EMBA Alumni Network since graduating in 2012. He resides in Tuscaloosa with his wife Lori and his daughter Alexa.

UA EMBA Announces New Scholarships for Incoming Students

• April 26th, 2017
• in EMBA Program Information, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

The Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama is announcing two new scholarships for students beginning Fall 2017: The Diversity Award and the Civilian Women in Defense and Technology Award.
The Diversity Award will grant two scholarships of up to $15,000 in value to candidates representing diverse backgrounds.  Diversity can be exhibited through educational and professional experience, unique career goals, ethnicity and citizenship.The Civilian Women in Defense and Technology Award will be given to two women enrolled in the EMBA Program.  The award recipients must be employed in the defense or technology industries. A recipient of the $10,000 CWDT scholarship must be a fully accepted student (minimum 3.0 GPA and five years of professional work experience) to the EMBA program and able to demonstrate financial need.According to Cheryl Altemara, assistant director of the UA EMBA Program, “We are excited to increase our scholarship award offerings for EMBA students.” These awards join the existing Mitchell Scholarship, which is awarded to incoming students who present evidence of exceptional academic ability, substantial professional experience and can also demonstrate financial need.
“Our goal is to increase our enrollment, promote diverse backgrounds that bring different viewpoints into the classroom, challenge our students to broaden their viewpoints and to have them learn as much from each other as from their faculty.”

Application for these annual awards must be made by the stated deadline for each program.

For deadlines for the TEMBA and HEMBA classes click here.  The award recipients are announced prior to orientation for each cohort.

For more information on these and other scholarships, click on the EMBA website or contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501.

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.

HEMBA Team Working to Bring Baseball Back to Huntsville

• January 25th, 2017
• in UA EMBA Latest News/Events

During last fall’s Project Management course, one of The University of Alabama Executive MBA teams struck on the idea to “Bring Baseball Back to Huntsville.” The “5 Guys” team, aka Colton Campbell, Daryl Evans, Eric Janssen, John Meshensky and Carl Vasilko, reached out to the Huntsville Mayor’s office for some insight and to gather additional information for their course project.

“We wanted to understand if the city was targeting any particular sites for a new ballpark as well as gauge their current level of interest,” said Daryl Evans, Vice President of Operations for TotalPrint and HEMBA 2018 Class President.

With the success of the Birmingham Barons and Regions Field, the team was excited about the possibility of having another franchise team back in Huntsville. The Mayor’s office was helpful and “they asked us to share with them what other information we were able to gather when we finished our project,” said Evans.

On December 21, the team met with Mayor Tommy Battle, District 2 Councilman Mark Russell and City Administrator John Hamilton.  During the meeting the HEMBA team walked them through their presentation and shared their assessment of the necessary details.  It was a great meeting.  “Currently there is not a real plan on the table to bring baseball back,” said Evans, “but I think we did our best to express the value we believe that a downtown entertainment/baseball complex could bring to the city of Huntsville.”

The MIS 511 Project Management course, taught by Jim Brown, requires each team in the class to present a work-related or community-based improvement project. They begin by presenting their project, the needs and the possible outcomes to the class. They work on their goals during the entire semester, finishing with a final presentation. Finally they request funding approval from the selection committee, who are their fellow classmates. In addition to bringing baseball back to Huntsville, other projects have included post-tornado rebuilding, community development, work process improvements, and new marketing initiatives.

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.

Neptune Technology Partners with MIS Capstone in Developing an App

• December 8th, 2016
• in EMBA Uncategorized

Neptune Technology Group recently partnered with MIS Capstone at the University of Alabama to create an app for the company. The app will help homeowners monitor their water usage at any time, adding value to their relationship with Neptune Technology. Neptune, located in Tallassee, AL, has installed over 25 million water meters in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Eric Satterfield is a business analyst with Neptune Technology and has worked with the company for almost six years.

Satterfield graduated from the Huntsville Executive MBA Program in May 2016. On December 1, MIS Capstone students presented their final plan to Neptune. We spoke with him about the collaboration with MIS Capstone and the goals of the app.

How did Neptune Technology decide to partner with MIS Capstone? 

Dr. Sox realized the MIS Capstone group had some additional bandwidth for projects and simply reached out to our      engineering group here at Neptune.

What was the process like for developing the app?

Very collaborative. Ideas and suggestions were tossed back and forth to develop a high quality product.

What is the main goal of the app?

We want to be able to track a homeowner’s water usage and alert them to possible leaks.

Who do you think will benefit the most from the app?

The greatest benefit is that homeowners will be able to see their water usage on their mobile device.
“It was great working with the Capstone Team. The project consisted of the team working with an existing data model to build dashboards and KPIs based on our user requirements,” said Satterfield.

At the moment, the app is not available on the App Store, but Neptune is working hard to help its consumers get the most of their products, giving them many options and helping them save time, money and labor.

For more information on how your company can partner with The University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business contact Connie Chambers, Director of Corporate Partnerships, at (205) 348-4503 or by email at cchamber@culverhouse.ua.edu.

For more information on the Executive MBA program and how it can benefit you and your company, contact Cheryl Altemara at (205) 348-4501 or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.

Incoming TEMBA Class Celebrates Orientation with Disney Magic

• November 29th, 2016
• in UA EMBA Latest News/Events

You kind of expect that there will be Big Al sightings and shouts of Roll Tide! and Go Bama! when the new EMBAs hit orientation on the campus of The University of Alabama, but this year the students were also greeted by the Disney Institute and some famous Disney characters.  The 33rd Tuscaloosa Executive MBA Class joined their fellow classmates, the Huntsville EMBA 2018 class, on the second day of orientation for Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence.

“Disney is one of the premier companies in the world for leadership and customer service,” said Dr. Brian Gray, Associate Dean of Manderson Graduate School, “and this is a great opportunity for our students to get an inside look on what makes them so successful and how they can apply what they do at their companies.”

Students were exposed to firsthand principles that are at the core of Disney’s organizational strength: effective communication, successful organizational structures, sustaining momentum to achieve goals, day-to-day behaviors that make long-lasting impact on others and developing action steps to influence and develop individual leadership behaviors. Also, during the November 18 Disney Workshop everyone celebrated the birthday of Mickey Mouse, who turned 88 years old.

The day before the Disney Workshop, the TEMBA class enjoyed the traditional orientation activities. Twenty-six students began their 17-month journey to obtain their M.B.A. degree.  In addition to preparing the new students on how to navigate University logistics, orientation focuses on getting the students to know their classmates and teammates through various team building exercises including the EMBA Scavenger Hunt which has become a tradition. Another tradition is the welcome from the EMBA Alumni Network President Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004) at the orientation dinner.

This year’s Tuscaloosa class has an average age of 37, with 14 years of work experience and 8 years of management. Industries represented in this year’s cohort include automotive, finance, consulting, energy, manufacturing, construction, distribution,  retail, service, government, healthcare, food & beverage and technology.  Sixteen percent represent VP/C-level and professional positions and 23% has military experience (current active duty or retired service members).

The 2018 T-EMBA class members are:

• Carolyn Berry, GE/Roper Corporation
• Molly Louise Bray, AmerisourceBergen
• Maren Cross, Daimler Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.
• Joseph Culbert, GE Appliances
• Chris Derksen, Vulcan Materials Company
• Christina Gordon, Druid City Hospital Health System
• Matt Groves
• Ben Johnson, Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators LLC
• Dejarvas Kelly, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.
• Mitchell Loper, Raymond James
• Jake Mankin, The University of Alabama
• Jason McConnell, RSM US LLP
• Felicia McKinney, The University of Alabama Supply Store
• Chris Overstreet, Doster Construction Company, Inc.
• Christian Patel, Alabama Power Company
• Frank Pete, Horne LLP
• Derrica Poole, FIS Global
• Kevin Porter, TIAA
• Bethany Roberts, Books-A-Million
• Drew Rollins, Star Asset Security
• Jenna Roney, Mississippi Power Company
• Jason Sellars, The University of Alabama Office of Veteran Affairs
• Jeff Stewart, Barings Capital Management
• Justin Walker, Georgia-Pacific
• Jermaine West, Dean Foods
• Nora Woods, New Life Interfaith Ministries, Inc.

Congratulations and Roll Tide! to the Tuscaloosa EMBA Class of 2018.

Check out more photos from the TEMBA orientation at the UAEMBA Facebook page.For more information and to apply to the EMBA Program go to www.emba.ua.edu or contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205-348-4501.