The University of Alabama’s MBA program at the Manderson Graduate School of Business moved up seven spots from last year to number 49 in the Forbes 2015 MBA rankings. The Manderson MBA also ranks 4th among the 14 SEC schools and 25th among all public schools. Other SEC schools in the top 50 rankings include Texas A & M, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Florida.
“We are excited to see this increase in the rankings for our MBA program,” said Dr. Brian Gray, interim dean, Culverhouse College of Commerce. “I believe this ranking reflects the strong commitment of our faculty and staff to the program and hopefully shows the value of a Manderson MBA to our students and prospective students.”
Forbes ranked the MBA programs based solely on the return on investment for their graduates upon five years after graduation. The 2014 average salary for Manderson MBA graduates was $97,000.
The magazine collects its data for rankings from alumni, comparing earnings of graduates pre-MBA and five years after earning an MBA. According to Forbes, the magazine garnered a 24% response rate on its surveys to 17,400 alumni at 95 schools. Schools with response rates lower than 15 percent were not included in the rankings. Also according to Forbes, MBA graduates earned back their investment (tuition and two years of lost salary) in four years on average at the top 25 schools.
The Manderson Graduate School of Business falls under the umbrella of the Culverhouse College of Commerce.
-Edith Parten is Senior Communications Specialist for the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama
For more information on The University of Alabama Manderson MBA Program contact Patricia Wilson at pewilson@culverhouse.ua.edu, 205.348.6517; and for the
Fall on the University of Alabama campus is exciting as new and returning students arrive. There is cooler weather and talk of classes, faculty and football, and not necessarily in that order. From Denny Chimes to the Bryant-Denny Stadium, from the President’s Mansion to the Ferguson Center (Ferg), from Coleman Coliseum to the Park at Manderson Landing along the Black Warrior River, The University of Alabama is welcoming its students.
On August 12, the Culverhouse College of Commerce greeted the new Huntsville EMBA Class of 2017 with its first orientation at UA. The HEMBA Program began in 2008. In the past, students would take classes on the UAHuntsville campus and only come to Tuscaloosa for graduation. We wanted to do something different this year and have them begin their 21-month, five-semester experience with the Capstone. For many it was their first time on campus.
Over the two-and-a-half day orientation, the students met with their first semester faculty, participated in team building, and met with the Executive MBA Alumni Board. They also spent time seeing some of the sites and meeting other alumni and students on campus while involved in a team challenge scavenger hunt. They also nailed down the “Rammer Jammer” and “Roll Tide” cheers and are looking forward to a tailgate this fall in T-Town.
Dean Brian Gray (right) welcomes Jimmy Hassan (HEMBA 2017)
The students represent companies such as PPG Industries, ADTRAN, Infosys, Nissan North America, Sikorsky Aircraft, Southern Telecom, Amerex Corporation, the US Army, Northrop Grumman, and the Missile Defense Agency. The defense and manufacturing agencies are hugely represented in this cohort, with 28% and 24% of the students working in them, respectively. Other industries include finance, technology, healthcare/pharmaceutical, retail, telecom, construction, real estate and services.
The class reflects more diversity in terms of educational backgrounds. 43% of the students who just joined the program graduated with undergraduate degrees in engineering, followed by 29% with liberal arts degrees, 19% with business degrees, and 10% with science/math degrees. The average age is 37 with an average of 15 years of work experience. We also have 38% of our students coming from a military background.
Incoming students have goals to develop and further their career, develop business skills, further their mentoring and leadership skills, pursue financial security, own a business, have an impact on their company, become a better manager and motivator, and travel and work abroad.
Please join us in welcoming our HEMBA Class of 2017:
Ryan Burch, Northrop Grumman Corporation
Felicia Craig, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Jason Deane, Nucor Steel
Chuck Freind, Amerex Corporation
Sonya Harner, Nissan North America
Jimmy Hassan, Dayton Superior Corporation
Rodney Hoover, DRS Technology
Shane Jackson, AMRDEC
Ray Morris, VentureSouth
Barry Navarre, Southern Telecom
Gaurav Negi, ADTRAN, Inc.
Phillip Patterson, Stutts Properties, Inc.
Nicole Reynolds, Zero Point Frontiers
Joshua Rountree, Nissan North America
Will Stinson, TotalPrint, DEX Company
Joe Taylor, PPG Industries
Bhuwan Thakur, Infosys Limited
Josh Vinson, Parallon Business Solutions
Dustin Whited, MDA/ECM
Nirvana Williams, ENDO Pharmaceuticals
Matt Zepp, Department of the Army
For more information on the Culverhouse Executive MBA Program, click on EMBA or contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.
The Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Class of 2016 will be going to Marrakech and Casablanca, Morocco and Madrid, Spain, February 27-March 5, 2016.
The 2016 trip is a requirement of the IBA 550 International Business course in the students final semester. It is also open to EMBA Alumni who would like to attend. “We began formally inviting alumni to join us on our study abroad trips in 2013 when we visited Turkey and it has been a successful program,” said Cheryl Altemara, assistant director, EMBA Programs. In addition to visiting companies, meeting with senior executives and government officials, and touring cultural sites, participants may also take part in an optional post trip to Barcelona, Spain.
The students not only visit companies but will tour Marrakech and Madrid and take a day trip to Kasbah Le Mirage situated just outside of Marrakech. They will experience Moroccan life, camel rides and a dinner in Berber tents. A special consulting project focusing on social enterprise in and around Marrakech is also being added to the program this year. Spain offers another business climate, culture and economic transformation for the students to study in depth.
Our travel agency this year will be the International Study Programs (ISP). Headquartered in Prague, ISP has been organizing global trips for EMBA Programs since 1999. Their vision is to create meaningful global academic experiences for business school students.
Morocco has a GDP of $179.2B (2015), 4.5% growth, unemployment at 9.2% and inflation at 1.9%. Benefiting from a stable political environment and increasing levels of foreign investment, Morocco benefits from its geographical proximity to key markets in Europe and its perception as a stable destination in a region where many countries have seen widespread political unrest. The country is expected to welcome over 11M visitors in 2015, up from 10.5M in 2014. Europe is a major source for arrivals but Morocco is increasingly targeting affluent visitors from the Middle East – and Emirates recently expanded its flight routes into the country from the UAE.
According to Spiegel Online, Spain is back from the brink and emerging as a model for Europe. During the crisis, Spain instituted strict reforms and successfully put its emphasis on exports, with one-third of Spanish goods and services shipped outside the country. Although Spain still has a long way to go, the European Central Bank is predicting that Spain will be one of the economic drivers of Europe in 2015. Powered by a cheap euro and low-interest, economic growth is predicted to rise by 2.3 percent this year, GDP at 1.4 trillion, while the Spanish government predicts increasing job growth.
The post trip is to Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is defined by quirky art and architecture, imaginative food and vibrant street life. It has medieval roots, seen in the mazelike Gothic Quarter, but a modernist personality represented by architect Antoni Gaudí’s fantastical Sagrada Família church. The central Boqueria market, ranging from fine dining to tiny tapas bars, anchors Barcelona’s restaurant scene. In addition, we will also travel to Tarragona and the caves Montau de Sadurini.
To join the trip, please contact the EMBA office for more information. The trip package for alumni, from check-in February 27 to check out on March 5, includes a single room (5 star accommodations), breakfasts, company visits, lunches, city tours of Marrakech and Madrid, the February 28 Kasbah excursion, and opening and farewell dinners. Spouses may also attend.
If your class never got to go on an international trip, here’s your chance. If you have attended a previous trip, this time you get to enjoy without classwork or a final presentation!
We look forward to having you join us. For more information and cost, contact Donna Blackburn, 205.348.8748. For more information on the Culverhouse Executive MBA Program check out the website at www.emba.ua.edu.
Program: Huntsville EMBA (currently enrolled in the 2016 Class)
Hometown: Brentwood, Tennessee
Previous Education: BA in Spanish from Georgetown College
Occupation: Manager of Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC), Denials and Medical Necessity for Community Health Systems. Heather manages government and commercial healthcare payer recoupment process for 200 acute care hospitals owned and/or operated by the second largest for-profit hospital operator in the U.S.
Post-UA EMBA Goals
My goal upon completing the EMBA Program is to enter the CEO-In-Training Program. The process involves three 18-24 month steps: step 1) shadowing a C-level executive, step 2) assuming an Assistant CEO role and finally step 3) becoming a COO or CEO of a hospital.
Why did you enroll in Huntsville EMBA Program at The University of Alabama?
I chose the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama because it is a well recognized and respected institution. Having a bachelor’s degree from a small liberal arts college I wanted to obtain my M.B.A. from an acclaimed University. As soon as I visited and met with the UA EMBA staff, I knew this is where I belonged. I liked the blended format, combining the traditional classroom set-up in concert with a modern online hybrid program. Also, as a single working mom the once a month format met my very busy work and family schedule.
What course(s) have been most helpful to you in your current role at Community Health Systems?
I have really enjoyed Dr. King’s Leadership class. In my current management role having effective people skills is as important as understanding concepts. Everyone would bring their own perspective and approach to problem solving during our class debates. Helping you to look at a problem and how to solve it in a different way is invaluable.
What has been your favorite experience in HEMBA so far?
Networking. I enjoy going to class to see everyone. The camaraderie and how we look out for each other. When someone struggles there is someone on the team or in the class who can help.
How can an EMBA assist someone in the healthcare community?
One of the most important returns on investment has been taking a concept and applying it to a healthcare setting. During our discussion of Toyota, and visiting the Nissan Plant in Tennessee, I focused on front end registration processes and how to make it more efficient for our health system. It is important to consider the viewpoints from different industries and ask, “How can this be applicable to my industry?”
What advice would you give to someone considering an Executive MBA Program?
Can you manage the time commitment? Being selfish is okay, you are investing a lot of money. Also when looking at a university select a program that fits your needs. For me, I was looking at my career three years down the road. I set expectations for myself, the program and the University to make sure all were in alignment to fulfill my goals. I am very happy that I chose the Culverhouse Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama.
Heather Martin is one of many healthcare professionals who have selected the Culverhouse EMBA. If you are in the healthcare field and would like to talk with one of our students or alumni in the clinical, pharmaceutical or consulting area, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange for a follow up contact about the program.
The next HEMBA Program will begin Thursday, August 13, 2015. For more information contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.
Happy 4th of July to everyone! This is a time to celebrate our Independence, fire up the grills, watch fireworks and be with family and friends. At the Culverhouse College of Commerce our EMBAs are no strangers to celebrations. Two weeks ago, on June 14, EMBA alumni, students, faculty and staff enjoyed Family Day at the Tuscaloosa River Market. Family Day continues this year’s 30th Anniversary salute to the UA EMBA Program. There were games, prizes, bar-b-que and a movie, Despicable Me 2.
“I enjoyed talking with some of the folks and catching up with some old friends, said John Duckworth (EMBA 1989). Many of the alumni and faculty showed off their football passes, corn hole and hula hoop skills, and families dressed up in appropriate Alabama-wear for the photo booth. For more pictures from the event click on our Facebook page.
Next up will be a fall tailgate in T-Town. Roll Tide!
EMBA Director Donna Blackburn and John Duckworth (EMBA 1989) at Family Day.
At the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program we are always evolving, always looking for what is happening next in business and how to make our program more relevant and challenging for our executive students. The faculty members who teach in the EMBA Program at The University of Alabama are leaders in their fields. Joining the EMBA team this year are four new faculty who are leading the way in the fields of data mining, global business and leadership.
Dr. Uzma Raja will be teaching MIS 541 Business Analytic Support Systems beginning Fall 2015 in Huntsville. Raja, an Information Systems Statistics and Management Science associate professor, focuses her research on investigating information systems evolution and the organizational factors that impact the long-term success of these systems. She has specifically focused on investigating Open Source Software project evaluation and evolution. With expertise in data and text mining, her areas of research include software evolution, open source software and health information systems.
Raja is an active member of the IS research community and has presented research at various conferences and recently had a report published in the prestigious Institute of Industrial Engineers’ flagship journal, IIE Transactions. The report focused on fuel-switch decisions in the electric power industry is a testimony of the application of data-driven analysis in today’s business climate. She is also a member of the advisory council of the Business Intelligence Congress III, and a member of AIS, IEEE, INFORMS and ACM. Prior to academia, she had extensive experience in systems development and maintenance during her seven years at a global consulting company.
Changes are also being made to the IBA 550 International Business course. Two new faculty will be coming on board to teach the IBA 550 course in Huntsville and Tuscaloosa: Drs. Jack Clampit and Peter Magnusson. The IBA 550 course will have an expanded format and broader focus on cross culture with a more in-depth focus on the countries students will visit on their international trip.
Dr. Jack Clampit is assistant professor of marketing and global business. His research focuses on relationships between the institutional characteristics of markets that firms operate in and firm conduct/performance (e.g., market location choice and entry mode). This includes the study of distal links, such as institutional antecedents (e.g., the interaction of culture, historical path dependencies, and cognitive bias) and societal outcomes (e.g., poverty alleviation, sustainable development). Dr. Clampit has authored numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles (including publications in two of the world’s top three international business journals: Journal of World Business and Management International Review). He has also won numerous Best Paper and reviewer awards.
Dr. Peter Magnusson is joining the Culverhouse College of Commerce as an associate professor of International Marketing in the summer of 2015. Peter grew up in Sweden, earned his Ph.D. in Marketing and International Business from Saint Louis University and comes most recently from Florida International University. His research specializes in the areas of international marketing strategy and international consumer behavior, with a particular interest in the influence of culture and institutional factors on cross-cultural differences in consumer behavior and international marketing strategy. He has published his research in various academic journals and serves on several marketing and global boards. Dr. Magnusson has taught in Medellin, Colombia; Paris, France, and led multiple study-abroad programs throughout Europe.
We are also thrilled to have Dr. Filippo Passerini, former CIO and president, Global Business Services at P&G, to join our EMBA Program. Passerini will be teaching the final Leadership workshop component in the fifth semester in Huntsville. Dr. Passerini will be discussing the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) problems faced by business. He will cover solutions and describe 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. Passerini will also cover a variety of managerial topics including leadership characteristics for success, the five situational leadership styles that managers must employ for success, the importance of storytelling for business leaders, a framework for business models, and frugal innovation in developing markets. Filippo holds a Doctorate in Statistics and Operating Research from the University of Rome.
For more information on the EMBA Program, visit the Culverhouse EMBA website at www.emba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.
Dr. Brian Gray has been named interim dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama effective July 1. Gray will fill the interim role while UA carries out a national search for a new dean to replace Dr. J. Michael Hardin who steps down June 30 to become provost at Samford University in Birmingham.
“Brian has a wealth of administrative, teaching and research experience and will be an effective leader during this important, transitional period for the College,” said Dr. Joe Benson, UA interim provost, in making the announcement.
Currently Gray is serving as associate dean of the Manderson Graduate School of Business in the Culverhouse College of Commerce. He is also the Harrison Family Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow and professor of statistics in the department of information systems, management science, and statistics. Gray joined UA in 1990 and began teaching statistics in the Executive MBA Program in 1993. He has received multiple teaching awards, including the UA National Alumni Association Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award in 2006 and most recently the 2014 Executive MBA Faculty Excellence Award. Although he will be assuming the new position very soon, he plans on continuing to teach in the EMBA Program.
According to Gray, he is looking forward to serving as interim dean of one of the top ranked business schools in the nation. “Knowing that we had a great team in place in the Manderson Graduate School of Business and the Executive MBA Program made the decision to accept the position easier,” said Gray.
His research interests include applied statistics, exploratory data analysis, data mining, business analytics, regression analysis, statistical computing and statistical graphics. He has published his research in various academic journals, and co-authored two books, “Basic Statistical Ideas for Managers (Second Edition)” and “Business Cases in Statistical Decision Making: Computer Based Applications.”
Prior to joining UA, Gray served seven years as a faculty member in the department of finance and decision sciences at Texas Christian University.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, with minors in business administration and computer science, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1978. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees in mathematical sciences from Clemson University in 1980 and 1983, respectively.
May is always a hectic month for our Executive MBA Program. May is graduation month, a time for celebrating the accomplishments of our most recent graduating class. After 17-21 months of academic coursework, team assignments, case discussions, projects, presentations, international travel and very little sleep, our students become graduates. On May 2, 2015, the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program recognized the graduates and families with an Awards Banquet at the North Zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium before the formal University of Alabama commencement at Coleman Coliseum.
Welcoming the graduates into the EMBA Alumni Network, is Network President Mike Ross (EMBA 1989).
This year 27 graduates received their M.B.A. degrees from the Huntsville and Tuscaloosa EMBA classes. We also marked a milestone with our 30th graduating class in Tuscaloosa. Awards were also given to recognize class leaders and MVPs, students earning a 4.0 GPA and outstanding faculty. This year’s honorees included TEMBA President Justin Merritt and Vice President Ryan Aday, HEMBA President Randy Lewis, TEMBA MVP Neil DiChiara and HEMBA MVP Nate Drees. Graduates receiving a 4.0 GPA: Mike Brost, Nate Drees, Ashley Erickson, Justin Havrilla, Justin Merrit, Philip Morrison, Ross Swenson, Amy Tucker and Liz Williford.
The Drees Family.
In addition, the Huntsville and Tuscaloosa classes awarded Dr. James F. Cashman Faculty Awards and EMBA Faculty Excellence Awards. The Dr. James F. Cashman Faculty Award honors the memory of the late EMBA strategy implementation professor whose high standards of integrity served as a pristine example for his students. The TEMBA class bestowed the Cashman Award to Dr. William Walsh, Economics Instructor; and HEMBA recognized Dr. Ron Dulek, the John R. Miller Professor of Management. The Faculty Excellence Awards went to Dr. William Walsh (TEMBA) and Dr. Rich Houston (HEMBA), Director, Culverhouse School of Accountancy and Hilton Dean Professor of Accounting.
Attending the EMBA Awards Banquet and University Commencement were over 150 family members. It is always a highlight for EMBA faculty and staff to celebrate with the family this great achievement. “We often tell students that they will find doing the program difficult without company support but impossible without family support.
The family’s encouragement and assistance cannot be underestimated,” said Donna Blackburn, director of the Executive MBA Program.
Lining up before Commencement are some of the EMBA Class of 2015 Veterans (l-r): Lance Will, Clint Vance, Justin Havrilla and Nate Drees.
It is also a highlight for our EMBA Program to recognize the many Veterans we have in our program. This year 22% of our EMBA graduating class were Veterans. “During Commencement Veterans were given red, white and blue cords to wear with our regalia,” said Clint Vance. “UA respects and takes care of Vets who wish to attend college. Most have had a rough time and (the EMBA Program and Veteran and Military Affairs office) make it easy, and I never had an issue that was not promptly addressed.” Clint is a U.S. Army Veteran, and is currently AMP Manager with ProEquities in Birmingham.
Thank you to the family, friends and companies that supported our graduates throughout the program. Check out more photos from graduation on our Facebook page. Once again, congratulations to the Executive MBA Class of 2015:
Nancy Acquavella, Yorktown Systems Group, Inc.
Ryan Aday, BBVA Compass Bank
Julia Bobick, U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center
Mike Brost, Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.
Zac Buchanan, Blue Line Rental
Kathleen Crawford, Department of the Army
Neal DiChiara, The University of Alabama
Nathan Drees, Universal Lighting Technologies
Ashley Erickson, AMRDEC
Justin Havrilla, AAR Integrated Technologies
Jeremy Howe, Columbia College
Matthew Legg, Sterne Agee
Randy Lewis, U.S. Army
Kelly Lindsey, The Golf Associates
Justin Merritt, KBR, Inc.
Philip Morrison, Chip Rewards
Vanessa Pettway, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Sam Price, Nucor Steel Birmingham, Inc.
Adam Ritch, JMJ Associates
Ross Swenson, Regions Financial Corporation
Garett Toflinski, Randall-Reilly
Amy Tucker, Sonoco
Clint Vance, ProEquities, Inc.
Katherine Wayne, SAIC/PFRMS
Lance Will, Honeywell Aerospace
Robb Williams, Lear Corporation
Liz Williford, Southern Nuclear
For more information about the Culverhouse EMBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl at caltemara@cba.ua.edu, or call 205.348.4501.
Dean Michael Hardin honoring Dr. Lonnie Strickland at the Executive MBA 30th Anniversary Reception.
You only turn 30 once. On Friday, April 17th, alumni, faculty, staff and friends gathered to celebrate 30 years of the Executive MBA Program. The event was held on the rooftop of the newly opened Renasant Bank in downtown Tuscaloosa. The weather was perfect as guests networked, caught up with classmates, and met new friends on the patio.
The apex of the evening was the honoring of the EMBA founders by Dean Michael Hardin. Dean Hardin spoke of having the great honor to have known the late Dr. H.H. “Billy” Mitchell (Dean of Culverhouse College of Commerce from 1981 to 1986) and his affection for Culverhouse College of Commerce and The University of Alabama. His son, Billy Mitchell, accepted the award in memory of his father. Also honored was Dr. Lonnie Strickland (MBA Director 1982-1986 and current Professor of Strategic Management) and Ms. Gina Johnson (MBA Coordinator 1982-1986). Dr. Strickland praised the “many faculty and staff who have supported and worked so hard to make the program so successful.”
Mike Ross, President of the EMBA Alumni Network.
Host and President of Renasant Bank, Mike Ross said, “It was an honor to have the opportunity to host the event. We had a great turnout, and the crowd seemed to really enjoy the program. Personally, I appreciated the opportunity to communicate to Dr. Strickland just how applicable his curriculum is to everyday decision-making in the banking industry. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to network with so many alumni and current students of the EMBA Program. We are fortunate to have such a quality program at the University of Alabama!” Ross is also President of the Executive MBA Alumni Network.
(L-R) EMBA Alumni Network Board member Beckie Crawford (EMBA 2013), Dr. Alex and Andrea Ellinger, and Ondria and Tim Jett (EMBA 2013).
The evening concluded as former classmates went out and enjoyed a newly revitalized downtown Tuscaloosa. One Stop Events and Parties, a local Tuscaloosa company, catered the dinner and beverages. Local television station WVUA was there to cover the event.
The 30th Tuscaloosa Executive MBA class, along with the sixth Huntsville class graduated on May 2, at The University of Alabama. Prior to commencement, the graduating class was officially welcomed into the EMBA Alumni Network by the Board members at the EMBA Graduation and Awards Ceremony.
The EMBA Program will be hosting several other 30th Anniversary events throughout the year. Up next will be the EMBA and Manderson Graduate School Family Day on Sunday, June 14, at the Tuscaloosa River Market from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. For more information on the EMBA Program and other EMBA Alumni and prospect events contact Donna Blackburn or Cheryl Altemara at the EMBA office or call 205-348-4501.
Nate Drees (EMBA 2015) and wife Annie, enjoy the boat ride to Contadora Island in Panama.
The 2015 Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA study abroad tour took us from Panama City in the Republic of Panama and then to Bogota, Colombia, February 28-March 6. While waiting to depart with some of the EMBA Class of 2015 students, who were excited and looking forward to heading to Central America, it was hard not to reflect on the many trips we have taken over the years.
Turning 30 this year, one of the many highlights of the EMBA Program is our international trip, which is part of the International Business course in the final semester. The international trips began in 2003, and since then we have visited 15 countries, 28 cities and 118 companies. Students’ description of the trip include: Awesome, A Trip of a Lifetime, Challenging, Valuable and A Learning Experience I Will Always Remember! Students meet with senior executives from companies and government officials, in addition to touring the local sites.
Katherine Wayne (EMBA 2015) at Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal.
The EMBA Class of 2015’s Central America trip included business visits to Global Bank Corporation, Electric Transmission Company (ETESA), DHL Express Panama and the Panama Canal Authority in The Republic of Panama, and the Ministry of Defense, IBM, Alpina and the Coffee Federation in Bogota, Colombia. In addition, 38 students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests enjoyed city tours and a day on Contadora Island (part of the Pearl Islands) off the coast of Panama, and finally a closing dinner on Monserrate Hill in Bogota.
South America has been experiencing rapid growth. Panama’s economy is service based, with GDP at $57.1B and 10.7% growth, and 16% of US-born trade passes through the Canal. Students were able to compare and contrast the economic and cultural differences between the two countries. Colombia, a member of the Pacific Alliance, is the third largest economy in Latin America, after Brazil and Mexico, with a 5% average annual GDP.
EMBA 2015 Class at Alpina in Colombia.
At Alpina, a manufacturer of consumer food products in Colombia, the EMBAs met with Diago Aparicio, Director of Talent Development. According to Aparicio, “Alpina was founded by two Swiss entrepreneurs in 1945 creating artisanal cheeses, and six decades later exports more than 500 consumer products to 20 countries.” Colombia’s economic growth in the last five years has been steadily improving, even overtaking Peru as the region’s fastest-growing economy.
Speakers at IBM and the Ministry of Defense in Bogota spoke of Colombia as a success story with a lot of influence in the South America region. “We are seeing more investment, but still have a long way to go,” said Luz Stella Paez, Director of Business Management at the Defense Ministry.
EMBA alumni are welcome to join the students on their international trip. We will announce the e next trip at the end of July.
For more information on the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program and its international trip, contact the EMBA office at 205.348.4501, caltemara@cba.ua.edu.
average salary for Manderson MBA graduates was $97,000.
