Category: EMBA

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

Gary Morrison (TEMBA 2014) and Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004) at 2016 EMBA Alumni Network Annual Conference

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.

Another ongoing initiative that we will be working on is encouraging our alumni to fund the Brian A. Rankin Executive MBA Endowed Scholarship. This, our very first EMBA scholarship, will be used to assist students with necessary supplemental funds to aid them in funding their tuition and obtaining their degree. All of these goals are achievable and we thank you in advance for your commitment to the EMBA Program.
Our next event is the EMBA Alumni tailgate on Saturday, November 12th starting at 9am. Please RSVP as soon as you can and we look forward to seeing everyone at the tailgate. In closing, please feel free to reach out to any member of the board or Executive staff with any comments or feedback on how we can continue to make this EMBA Alumni Network board a success.
Roll Tide!
Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004), russell.shamburger@gmail.comRussell Shamburger is President of the 2016-2017 EMBA Alumni Club Network Board, and Vice President/Senior Business Process Analyst with Cadence Bank in Birmingham.
For more information on the EMBA Program contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.

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

Ben Paulk and Beckie Crawford at EMBA Alumni Conference & Business Analytics Symposium in October 2016.
Ben Paulk and Beckie Crawford at EMBA Alumni Conference & Business Analytics Symposium in October 2016.

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.

Ben Paulk and his son Carter at the 2016 A-Day Game at the University of Alabama.

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

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.

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James Spann addressing attendees at UA EMBA Conference.

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.”

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TEMBA 2016 graduates (L-R) Erik Spencer, Aaron Craddock and Pritha Powell.

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!”

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2015-2016 EMBA Alumni Network Board members Ben Paulk and Beckie Crawford.

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.

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EMBA alumni enjoyed seeing their faculty at the evening reception. (L-R) Russ Elrod, Dr. Lonnie Strickland and Jennifer Thomas.

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!

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Roll Tide UA EMBA Alumni at the 2016 EMBA Alumni Network Annual Conference and Business Analytics Symposium.

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.

EMBA’s First Endowed Scholarship

Brian Rankin, EMBA 2004, has generously donated and established the very first endowed scholarship for The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program. The Brian A. Rankin Executive MBA Endowed Scholarship will be used to assist students with necessary supplemental funds to aid them in funding their tuition and obtaining their degree.

Rankin is the Vice President, Deputy General Counsel of Comcast Corporation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has been in this position for almost 11 years, but has been in the telecommunications industry since 1989. He graduated from Illinois State University in 1983 with a degree in Political Science and History, before attending DePaul University College of Law. Rankin graduated from The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program in 2004 where he graduated with honors.

He is a veteran of the US Army and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.Rankin works for a number of community organizations, including as a pro bono volunteer for Philadelphia Law Works. He also works as pro bono legal counsel for Sojourners, which is a national anti-poverty organization; and serves on the Vestry of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia. He and his wife, Soozung Sa Rankin, are a host family for Curtis Institute of Music international students.

The scholarship will be given priority to students who are unconditionally accepted into the Executive MBA Program.
“We would like to thank Brian Rankin for his generous donation and are profoundly honored by his choice to support the Executive MBA Program,” said Donna Blackburn, Director of EMBA.

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

EMBA Program Welcomes Ninth Huntsville Class

With summer winding down and fall just around the corner, many students are getting ready to go back to school. The EMBA Program is no exception and has begun another academic year by welcoming the ninth Huntsville cohort at the UA campus in Tuscaloosa for orientation and their first day of classes.

On Wednesday, August 10, the new class got to know their classmates and teammates better, were instructed on university logistics TEMBAs on Crimson Rideand participated in a campus-wide team-building scavenger hunt. The full day was capped off with a dinner at the Hotel Capstone where the class mingled with professors, staff and alumni. Benjamin Paulk (TEMBA 2012) and Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004) represented the EMBA Alumni Network Board.

Following orientation, the students began their first semester classes on Thursday and Friday with Accounting, Statistics, Marketing and Project Management.

This year’s Huntsville class is composed of seasoned professionals from a variety of industries, including defense, healthcare, and manufacturing. Some other industries represented in this year’s cohort are services, telecom and construction. The average age for the Huntsville class is 41, and the average work experience is 19 years, with 12 years being management experience. Sixty-seven percent of the class are managers in their jobs and 20% are C-level/VP/Owners. Twenty-seven percent of the class has military experience, ranging from current active duty to retired service members.

“Although students take classes one weekend a month in Huntsville for twenty-one months beginning in September, it is great to get them on the UA campus to meet faculty and alumni at orientation,” said Director Donna Blackburn. Some HEMBA students in the past haven’t been able to visit the campus, so this is an excellent way to help them fully acquaint themselves with The University of Alabama.

Everyone is excited and ready to get started. The alumni were especially eager to welcome this new class into the program and see them thrive over the next twenty-one months.

The 2018 H-EMBA class are:

Colton Campbell, Otis Elevator Company

Chemeka Dabney, LP Building Products

Daryl Evans, TotalPrint

Lacey Hyche, Oral Arts Dental Laboratories

Eric Janssen, SportMed

Pete Kerr, ADTRAN, Inc

Nancy Laster, Piedmont Healthcare

Brian Lee, Sentry Insulation

Andy Maguire, Tennessee National Guard

Mario McKinnon, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

John Meshensky, ManTech International

Rachel Smith, WOW! Business

Carl Vasilko, PAE

Tory Wiles, SAIC

Tyler Williams, Parker Hannifin Corporation

For more information on the UA EMBA Program, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205-348-4501.

2017 UA EMBA International Trip Is Set For Vietnam and Singapore

2017 EMBA International TripThe University of Alabama Executive MBA revealed this weekend that the Class of 2017 will be visiting Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and Singapore February 24-March 4. The trip is a requirement of the IBA 550 International Business course the EMBAs take in their final semester. In addition to students the trip is also open to EMBA alumni and spouses.

During the trip the students will visit a wide cross-section of industries, participate in case studies with companies, as well as conduct two consulting projects focusing on social enterprise in Ho Chi Minh. Participants will also take in the sights of Ho Chi Minh, explore the Mekong Delta to learn more about the locals’ way of life: their homes, transportation, work and traditions; and they will also tour Singapore’s colorful districts of Little India and Chinatown. It is a packed trip that will give maximum exposure to our students and their guests.

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Our selection of Vietnam and Singapore allows us to compare/contrast between a developing and developed country. Vietnam is a powerful economic force in the region with vast agricultural exports and a high rate of foreign direct investment. The GDP for 2016 is $510.7B with a 6% GDP growth. Unemployment is 2.3% for a population of 90.6M and a median age of 25. Singapore’s successful free-market economy and urban development strategy boasts a GDP of $452.7B for 2016 and a 2.2% GDP growth in 2Q16. Unemployment is at 2.7% for a population of 5.5M.

Participants will also have an opportunity to do a post trip March 4-7, to Koh Samui, an island off the coast of Thailand. Travel+Leisure describes Koi Samui as “over-looked tropical treasure where you will discover small villages built entirely of bamboo; lush jungle interiors; turquoise-fringed beaches and a local culture giving you a taste of the region’s Asian traditions and a unique heritage preserved in hidden Buddhist temples with their iconic, gilded-red roofs, and resilient fishing villages on the Southern coast.”

International Study Programs (ISP) will once again serve as our travel agent and is working with the EMBA administration and faculty to design an outstanding international academic program. ISP has been providing premium, customized educational trips for business students for over 17 years. This year’s trip to Morocco and Spain was a rewarding cultural experience for our students with exceptional corporate visits. We hope to expand on our last trip to make the 2017 trip to Vietnam and Singapore a once in a lifetime experience.

Donna Blackburn, Director, EMBA Program
For more information on the UA EMBA International trip or in applying to the EMBA Program, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.

Former EMBA Alumni Network President Named to Top 50 Over 50 in Birmingham

151136_MW_emba_alumni_network_board_membersMike Ross (EMBA 1989) was named to Positive Maturity’s Top 50 Over 50 List.  According to the Birmingham Business Journal, this honor recognizes individuals who are exhibiting a high level of success in their careers, civic engagement or personal lives, as well as making a measurable impact on their communities through their work. “I am honored and humbled to be recognized by an organization such as Positive Maturity,” said Ross, “It’s support of our aging population is a model for us all in terms of the importance of giving back to our fellow man in need.”

The list also includes several high profile civic and business leaders in the Birmingham metro area and celebrities such as the Crimson Tide Radio Network’s own, Eli Gold.  In addition to Ross, other Culverhouse College of Commerce alumni named to the list were retired Community Activist Joel Rotenstreich, and Jeffrey Bayer, President and CEO of Bayer Industries and Culverhouse College of Commerce Board of Visitor member.

“We are thrilled to have Mike recognized for his many contributions,” said Donna Blackburn, Director of UA EMBA Program, “he has always and continues to support and assist our program, students and alumni whenever and wherever needed.” Ross currently serves as the Central Region President and Chief Commercial Officer at Renasant Corporation. Ross was also a finalist for the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2015 CEO of the Year and was named to BHMBIZ Magazine’s list of 205 Influential Executives. He has also been very active with our EMBA Alumni Network, serving on the board as President in 2015 and Past President this year.

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

UA EMBA Heads To Ballpark for Family Day

IMG_1744To the sounds of “Take Me Out To The BallgameThe University of Alabama Executive MBA alumni, students, staff and their families celebrated the IMG_17402016 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 IMG_0665Jack®. 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 IMG_1731amazing 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.IMG_1746
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

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HEMBA Graduates (L-R) Jeremy Phelps, Heather Martin and Jim Boyd.

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.

Recognition of EMBA Class leaders (L-R): Interim Dean Brian Gray, Richard Spears, Jim Boyd, Pritha Powell, EMBA Director Donna Blackburn and Tom Thayer.

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. 

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U.S. Army Contracting Officer Rodney Bilbrew receives Completion of EMBA Program plaque at May 5 EMBA Award Ceremony.

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.

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TEMBA 2016 graduates getting ready to line up for UA Commencement.

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

Strickland Awarded the Sullivan Faculty Award Update

astrickl_culverhouse.ua.edu (1)Dr. Lonnie Strickland, John R. Miller Professor of Strategic Management, is the 2016 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Faculty Award honoree. Considered the highest honor The University of Alabama offers. Recipients of the award have demonstrated the highest standards of scholarship, leadership, and service. The Sullivan Faculty Award recognizes the practical application of noble ideals and is based on excellence of character and service to humanity.

Strickland currently teaches Strategy Formulation and Implementation in the Tuscaloosa and Huntsville EMBA Programs. He began teaching at Alabama in 1969 and is one of the founders of and has taught in every EMBA class at Alabama since its inception 31 years ago. He has won every major teaching award the University has to offer. He is also ranked first, second, or third when graduating Culverhouse students are asked a version of the following question, “Name one person who has had a significant influence on your life at Alabama.”

A rigorous, demanding and passionate professor as well as a skillful raconteur who is held in high esteem by his students.  According to Jimmy Mauldin (EMBA 2002), Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy-Accra Ghana, “Lonnie Strickland’s classes on strategic management always come to mind … even 13 years later.”
The impact of Strickland’s teaching is evident in the stories our alumni continue to tell. “We grew market share of a key product in a growing segment from 15% to ultimately 100% ($200M annual run rate) over a seven-year period using principles of Michael Porter’s 5-forces model taught in Lonnie Strickland’s Strategy class,” according to Kevin Morgan (EMBA 1998), Director of Cloud and Services Marketing, ADTRAN, “and along the way we put competitors out of business.” Strong testament to the power of a course and a professor who strives to make a difference in a student’s life.

“To Lonnie, teaching is a vocation, not a job,” said long time peer and friend, Dr. Ron Dulek, John R. Miller Professor of Management, and EMBA Professor of Business Communications. “I can assure you, as one who sees him daily either before he goes or after he returns from class, he is as excited about and dedicated to teaching well today as he was in 1969 when he started teaching at Alabama.”

Dr. Strickland entertaining EMBA students at his home at the end of his class.
Dr. Strickland entertaining EMBA students and spouses at his home for the annual EMBA End of Class celebration event in Tuscaloosa.

Strickland is co-author of the best-selling strategic management textbook, Crafting and Executing Strategy, which is currently used at 900 universities worldwide. Along the way he has served as National President of Phi Kappa Phi; served on various local, regional and national Boards of Directors, including two Fortune 1000 size companies: the Statesman Group and American Equity; co-founded a number of smaller companies and has been an advisor to countless students in their efforts to start small businesses or advance their corporate careers.

Dr. Strickland has been a tremendous supporter of the EMBA Program and continues to be an inspirational source for our students and alumni.  Congratulations Lonnie.

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