TEMBA Graduate Jamie Adams Honored as 2019 Alabama CIO of the Year

• May 20th, 2019
• in UA EMBA Latest News/Events

Jamie Adams has been named the 2019 Alabama CIO of the Year® ORBIE® Enterprise Award winner.  A graduate of The University of Alabama Executive MBA Class of 2013, Jamie is the CIO of Mspark in Helena, Alabama.

The Alabama CIO Leadership Association (Alabama CIO) is the preeminent professional association for Alabama chief information officers, and the ORBIE award honors chief information officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. Finalists and winners are selected by an independent peer review process, led by prior ORBIE recipients. This selection process is based upon leadership and management effectiveness, business value created by technology innovation, size and scope of responsibilities, and engagement in the industry and community endeavors.

According to Steve Mitzel, Chief Executive Officer at Mspark, “In less than three years at Mspark, Jamie has transformed our IT team, implemented value creation projects, and brought great leadership to Mspark.”

Mspark is a leading national media distribution company delivering advertising solutions to a portfolio of more than 3,000 clients across the United States. For additional information, visit mspark.com.

For more information on The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Program, contact Cheryl Altemara or call 205.348.4501, or visit the UAEMBA website.

Dumelang! South Africa Exposes University of Alabama EMBA Students to the Extremes

• April 19th, 2019
• in International Trip

By Denise Vickers
There are few places in the world where on one day you can be holding a rough diamond worth $11 Million, and the next be canvassing the streets of a township where a family of five subsists on less than $11 a day.

One minute you can be strolling the halls of a high-tech innovation hub where an entrepreneur seeks success by developing an animated safari video game and the next be navigating the bumpy roads of the bush stalking real-life wild game.

Simply put.  Southern Africa is a land of extremes.

• Wealth and poverty.
• Modern and primitive.
• Stunning and deplorable.

During its final semester, the 2019 University of Alabama Executive MBA class traveled to South Africa and Botswana as part of their International Business course. “The goal of the trip is to experience other cultures and to get [the students] a little bit out of their comfort zone,” said Dr. Sharif Melouk, Associate Dean of the Manderson Graduate School of Business.  “Coming to areas of emerging markets and economies is a good learning experience.  The students see other people, alternate perspectives, and how they live. It is quite valuable and gives everyone fresh perspective when they go home,” Melouk added.

The Tuscaloosa and Huntsville EMBA cohorts began the first leg of their trip in Cape Town on February 23 with a high-altitude excursion to Table Mountain, reaching the summit via a revolving cable car.  The next day they toured the spectacular scenery of the Cape Peninsula with its gem-like blue water and impressive views from the lighthouse at the Cape of Good Hope.  From there, the students delighted in observing the playful personalities of the endangered African Penguins that have colonized on the beach in Simon’s Town.

The students applied their newly-acquired business skills-strategy, marketing, economics and global business-by delivering a consulting project to Adri Williams, owner of Khayelitsha Cookies.  Williams wants to export her all-natural, handmade cookies to the United States, and the student presentations focused primarily on marketing channels to successfully do that. “I’m standing here and I can tell you, I feel with every single fiber in my being that today was the day that we got a breakthrough into the American market. And, I know with the help of this group of students we are going to start supplying America very soon,” Williams proclaimed.
Apart from the cookie business, Adri inspired the students with her passion for helping unskilled, uneducated and previously unemployed women of the Khayelitsha township.  They had the opportunity to work alongside the women in the cookie factory rolling cookie dough and performing various production tasks. Others helped plant vegetables in the staff garden and paint a mural in the breakroom. HEMBA 10 student Jonathan Lewis described it as sobering, “To see some of those women in situations that they wouldn’t be able to make the wages or have the jobs, if not for Khayelitsha cookies, that was something that welled my spirit. I’d like to hope that there would be more organizations that would put it all on the line like she (Adri) did. Sell everything. Buy it. Take on all the risk in order to turn an organization like that into something that really impacts the community. It was definitely an inspiration and one I won’t soon forget.”

That evening, the group walked the unpaved, litter-lined streets of the Khayelitsha township where they learned about the realities of living in makeshift homes. Families welcomed the students into the small structures constructed of sheet metal where in most cases a single pipe provided cold water but no other indoor plumbing for basic needs like bathing and bodily functions exists.  A row of community portable toilets services dozens of families.

For the second leg of the journey, the students flew north to Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.  There they met with entrepreneurs at the Botswana Innovation Hub and also learned about the diamond supply chain and valuation process at De Beers Group Sightholder Sales; as well as how the partnership between the government of Botswana and De Beers has transformed Botswana from one of the poorest nations in the world to one filled with economic vitality.

Perhaps the most memorable part of the trip was the evening spent at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve. The group boarded open-air vehicles and guides trekked them across the African bush spotting a variety of indigenous game animals like impalas, kudu, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, and warthogs.

They capped the evening off with an unforgettable bush braai (barbecue) that featured a feast of grilled meats, chakalaka (a spicy dish of onions, tomatoes, and beans) and roasted butternut squash.  The percussive beat of traditional African song and dance arrested everyone’s attention and united everyone in a celebratory spirit. At that moment, there’s no doubt many of the students realized the richness of the African experience, the value of their UA EMBA education and the pricelessness of the relationships they made along the way.

Denise Vickers is General Manager at WFXG Fox 54 in Augusta, Georgia.  She is also a student in The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Program.  She will graduate in May 2019.  Before joining WFXG, she was Vice President of News for WHNT News 19 in Huntsville.

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

Traditions of Excellence

• March 7th, 2019
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

By Laci Williams

Students who have earned their MBA degrees from The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA program have a history of establishing themselves as industry leaders in the corporations and businesses they serve. Tommy Walker, Tuscaloosa EMBA (TEMBA) 2016 graduate, is a prime example of putting his MBA to immediate use and exploring one’s place in the entrepreneurship realm.

In a very short conversation with Walker I was able to see his vision. I learned a lot about his experience in the EMBA program and how it shaped the creation of S(w)ervice, an on-demand automotive maintenance service for automotive repair shops. As an entrepreneur, businessman, and a two-time graduate of The University of Alabama, he has put his own, unique spin on the automotive maintenance industry and continues to add to the list of all of the amazing things UA EMBA alumni are involved in, professionally and personally.

S(w)ervice is a one-stop system designed with auto maintenance in mind. With scheduling, a convenient mobile app, and valet vehicle services, S(w)ervice aims to increase the overall productivity and efficiency of auto shops, while also directly making the experience for the consumer better. Ultimately, this app is not only beneficial for the automotive maintenance shops, but also for the customers who frequent those shops for all of their auto care needs. A goal for S(w)ervice is to help traditional auto shops move away from traditional marketing and provide customers with a digital, technological solution to their problems. According to Walker, S(w)ervice provides consumers with, “accessibility right at your fingertips.” Walker and his partner plan to expand their service and scale of the application so that it can be used by larger dealerships and national enterprise retailers.

You might be wondering where the idea for S(w)ervice came from; it turns out auto maintenance is in Walker’s blood. Walker and his family have three independent auto service locations. Walker has both mechanical and managerial experience within his family’s shops, so if anyone knows the ins and outs of the automotive maintenance industry, it’s him! Walker also has some post-undergraduate experience working with Goodyear in their headquarters.

Tommy is an extremely active member of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) and is a member of the Charlotte, NC chapter of NBMBAA. His involvement in this organization has been very valuable to not only Walker’s development as a professional, but also as his company begins the process of establishing S(w)ervice. Tommy and his partner have also participated in the NBMBAA Scale-up Pitch competition, encouraging members of National Black chapters across the nation to create startups that are scalable. Tommy and his partner have had tremendous success with participating in and gaining investments and advice from professionals around the nation. The very first competition that Walker participated in was the Rise of the Rest National Competition in Birmingham, AL in May 2018, where S(w)ervice competed as a finalist. Most recently, S(w)ervice was accepted into the Velocity Accelerator cohort for 2019 and was able to secure at $50,000 investment!

Overall, the EMBA program was very influential to Walker and his experience as an entrepreneur. Having classes in the program that taught practical skills, Walker was able to transform the knowledge he gained in the classroom into immediate action with his own business. In addition to courses, an international trip, outside speakers, and diverse, high-achieving classmates, Walker was able to have many different experiences and learning opportunities. Congratulations Tommy and we look forward to seeing where S(w)ervice takes you!

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

Manderson EMBA Welcomes New Associate Dean Sharif Melouk

• January 18th, 2019
• in Behind the Scenes: Meet our Staff & Faculty

By Laci Williams, January 18, 2019

Now that the holidays are over and we’re back in full swing to finish out the Spring 2019 semester, Manderson Graduate School of Business and the Executive MBA Program would like to share some exciting news! Please welcome Dr. Sharif Melouk as the new Associate Dean of the Manderson Graduate School of Business.
Dr. Melouk has been with Culverhouse College of Business since 2007 as a faculty member in the Operations Management program. He has taught the Business Spreadsheet Analytics course in the EMBA program since Spring 2013. Dr. Melouk also served as the doctoral program coordinator for the Operations Management program.

Melouk earned his M.B.A. and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University and his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, but his path had some interesting bumps and turns. Dr. Melouk considered medical school but ultimately decided that academia was where he wanted to be. His research primarily employs simulation, modeling with applications in healthcare, transportation, emergency response, and production operations. Dr. Melouk is driven, passionate, and excited to continue the legacy of Manderson and all of its successes.

He is married to Dr. Burcu Keskin, a professor in the Operations Management program and who is also an alum of Texas A&M University. Dr. Keskin also teaches in the HEMBA and TEMBA programs at UA. They have two children, and Dr. Melouk is not only an Associate Dean and father but also coaches his children’s sports teams.

Dr. Brian Gray stepped down as Associate Dean on January 2^nd of this year and returned to teaching. He is loving being back in the classroom and engaging more with students and faculty! He is actively working on his research and is enjoying having the extra time with his family and grandchildren.

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

EMBAs “Roll” Back to Tuscaloosa for Networking Conference

• October 22nd, 2018
• in EMBA Alumni Network

By Laci Williams

Alumni of The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Program made the journey back to Tuscaloosa on October 4^th-5^th, 2018 for the fifth annual EMBA Alumni Network Conference. In attendance were alumni from the 1986 class through to our current EMBA students, along with a host of guest speakers, EMBA faculty and staff. The EMBAAN conference was a two-day event filled with excitement, scholarship, and of course, that unforgettable Crimson Tide spirit!
The conference kicked off with a reception at the beautiful River restaurant overlooking the Black Warrior River. Alumni, faculty, and guests reunited and enjoyed the amazing view from the terrace.

The second day of the conference was held at the Bryant Conference Center where attendees met to discuss innovative ideas, entrepreneurship, and the future of the program.
The conference began with a warm welcome from Dr. Kay Palan, dean of the Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama. Addressing the attendees with a short overview of herself, her family, and her diverse career path, she ended with exciting new updates for the college and the announcement of the construction of a new building to be named for one of Culverhouse’s most prestigious alumni: Marillyn Hewson, chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corp.
Following Dr. Palan, Russell Chambliss, a TEMBA 2006 Alumni and the 2018-2019 EMBA Alumni Network president addressed all of the attendees with some exciting, yet bittersweet news. Dr. J. Brian Gray, associate dean of Manderson Graduate School of Business, will be stepping down from his daily duties as Associate Dean to spend more time in the classroom teaching EMBA and MBA students. He will focus on his research, and of course, relaxing with his family and grandchildren. Russell presented Dr. Gray with an award from the EMBAAN to commemorate his dedication and service to the program.

The themes for this year’s conference were entrepreneurship, innovation, networking, paying it forward, and giving back.
Keynote addresses and speakers gave enlightening presentations and focused their energy on providing the attendees with the good, the bad, and the ugly regarding the processes behind starting your own business and keeping it up and running, and most importantly, profitable!
Alumni heard from leaders of G Momma Cookies, Nourish Foods, International Crating & Assembly, Atlas Senior Living, Stringfellow Technology Group and Blue Dawg and Financial Imaging.

In the afternoon, EMBAAN Past President Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004) presented Ben Paulk (TEMBA 2012) the first EMBA Alumnus of the Year Award.
In his acceptance speech, Paulk expressed his overwhelming joy for being in the EMBA program and stressed the importance of remaining active and involved even after graduation.
In addition, outgoing EMBAAN board member and secretary, Russ Elrod (HEMBA 2013) and Past President Russell Shamburger were recognized for their service to the Board.
After some important updates about the program and alumni activities from Donna Blackburn, director, and Cheryl Altemara, assistant director of the EMBA Program, Chambliss presented his closing remarks and his goals for the EMBA Alumni Network for the 2018-2019 academic year focusing on network growth, strengthening initiatives like mentoring, and assisting with recruiting.
To learn more about the UA EMBA Alumni Network and how you can become a part of the next incoming class, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501. To request information now, click here.

UA EMBA Alumni Network Conference To Focus on Business Owners

• September 6th, 2018
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

It’s fall at The University of Alabama, and for the EMBA Program that means our students along with our alumni are returning to campus.  The EMBA Alumni Network will be holding their annual conference October 4-5 in Tuscaloosa.

Entrepreneurship, innovation, networking and paying forward/giving back will be the themes covered at the conference.

Hear the stories from owners who are passionate about their companies. Learn how they created and built their businesses, the roadblocks, successes, and strategy for continuing success.

Featured speakers:

• Founder and Owner Robert Armstrong whose company G Momma Cookies took honors this year in the Alabama Launchpad Competition.
• Co-Founder and President Mary Drennen began Nourish Foods in Birmingham featuring Southern-inspired meals and now ships to 40 states.
• A panel of UA EMBAs who are owners representing International Crating & Assembly, Atlas Senior Living, and Stringfellow Technology Group.

It is more than just a day of learning and inspiration. It’s also an opportunity to network and catch up with classmates and faculty.

We’re proud to bring together our community of EMBA alumni, students and prospects to learn, get inspired, and grow better together.  Welcome Back, Alumni, and Roll Tide!

To register for the UA EMBA Alumni Network Conference click here or call Donna Blackburn at dblackburn@cba.ua.edu.

Ray Curry Elected to No. 2 Job at UAW

• June 14th, 2018
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

Ray Curry, a graduate of the Executive MBA Class of 2013 at The University of Alabama, has been elected Secretary-Treasurer at UAW.  Assuming the number two spot, Ray will serve for the next four years, overseeing financial operations for the 430,000 member organization.

Ray began the EMBA Program as assistant director of UAW/Region 8 and was quickly promoted to director.  In April he was named to the Daimler AG Board of Directors.

Prior to his move to Detroit, Ray met last week with Connie Chambers, director of corporate partnerships for the Manderson Graduate School, and Donna Blackburn, director of EMBA. “I am excited about the week ahead and the opportunity that awaits me,” said Ray.  “I’m thankful for completing the EMBA program, it definitely prepared me for last role and the new role as our organization’s chief financial officer.”

Ray has been an active alumnus of the EMBA Program. He has met with prospects, been involved with recruitment events, and advised incoming students.

According to EMBA classmate Jon Yobs, pricing director at Science Applications International, “Working with Ray was always a highlight of our program for me. I am not surprised that Ray has risen to the highest ranks of his organization because he always treated his colleagues with the highest level of respect. I’m proud to say he’s a friend of mine, and I’m glad to hear he’s doing so well at UAW. He’s a wonderful guy and will do great things!”

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

Curry Named to Daimler AG Board of Directors

• April 6th, 2018
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

By Kate Hampton

HEMBA 2013 graduate, Raymond “Ray” Curry of  Nashville, TN has been elected to the Daimler AG Supervisory Board at the 2018 Dieter Zetsche Annual Shareholders Meeting in Berlin. Following the voting of nearly 700 delegates from various Daimler plants and offices, Curry was approved for the five-year term. “I am excited about this opportunity and feel so blessed,” stated Curry.

His formal induction to the board will take place in April 2018, after which he will also continue his role as a trade-union representative from outside Germany.

Per the German Co-determination law, the board consists of 20 members who have been selected by either shareholders or employees. As a member of the Supervisory Board, Curry will aid in the monitoring of executive management, appointments to the Board of Management, and the approval of the Operative Planning Board.

Daimler AG is a Fortune 500 German multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The company is responsible for renowned car brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Smart Car2Go, and the Mercedes-Benz bus.

To learn more about the UA EMBA Program and the international trip experience, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.0954. To request information now, click here.

Kenneth Kelly Named Chairman and CEO of First Independence Bank of Detroit

• March 21st, 2018
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

By Donna Blackburn

First Independence Bank announced Kenneth Kelly (TEMBA 1998) as its new chairman and CEO on March 12. Kelly, whom the board of directors appointed in 2017, will be responsible for leading the bank’s financial operations and assets, policies and regulations as well as overseeing the company’s management infrastructure.

“As chairman and CEO, Kenneth brings deep and experienced business leadership to First Independence Bank. His knowledge, relationships, and expertise will be extremely valuable in leading the bank’s growth opportunities in Detroit,” said Linda Forte, member of the board of directors and chairwoman of the Human Resources Committee.

First Independence Bank is the 10^th largest African-American-controlled commercial bank in the country (as evaluated by Black Enterprise in 2016). In a recent ratings report, the bank is a five-star ranked financial institution according to BAUERFINANCIAL™, which has conducted independent institution ratings and reporting since 1983.

Kelly has a breadth of business knowledge and financial experiences as a cross-functional leader. As a former business development manager at Southern Company who retired in 2017 after 27 years of service, he also held many leadership positions in the communities he has lived. He achieved success in a variety of roles across engineering, marketing, finance, supply chain, and acquisitions that included leading negotiations for solar projects totaling over $3.4 billion in partnership value.

“We were delighted to hear of Kenneth’s appointment and congratulate him on his success.  We are sure that under his great leadership, wisdom and guidance First Independence Bank will strive to much greater heights and achievements,” said Dr. Brian Gray, Associate Dean, Manderson Graduate School of Business.
Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University and his M.B.A. from the University of Alabama Executive MBA Program. He is married and has two children.

To learn more about our UA EMBA Alumni and how you can become a part of the next incoming class, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501. To request information now, click here.

UA EMBA Class of 2019 Diversity Award Recipients

• February 21st, 2018
• in UA EMBA Latest News/Events

By Kate Hampton

The Huntsville Executive MBA cohort of 2019, with an average of 15 years of combined work experience, can add two more accolades to its accomplishments: the UA EMBA Diversity Award. Awarded to an EMBA Student that exemplifies and upholds diversity, he or she may exhibit this diversity through educational and professional leadership, unique career goals, as well as ethnicity and citizenship. We are proud to announce the 2017 recipients, Rodrigo Gallegos and Denise Vickers.

“The value these candidates’ diverse backgrounds bring into our program was demonstrated right away at their cohort’s orientation. Denise wowed everyone with her video production skills, while Rodrigo conducted a quick Spanish language lesson and shared personal insights reflecting his deep love for his home country of Mexico”, stated Cheryl Altemara, EMBA Assistant Director.

Hailing from Mexico, Gallegos is a Purchasing Project Leader for Electrolux Major Appliances. He has dedicated 14 years to the company, functioning as a Purchasing Agent, Commodity Manager, and Purchasing Manager. His leadership roles have led him through Sweden to Canada and presently Nashville, TN. Gallegos’ professional fluency in English and Spanish, paired with his cross-functional team leadership make him an asset to any team and a candidate for the Diversity Award.

Vickers is the Vice President of News for WHNT News 19 in the Tennessee Valley. For the last 11 years she and her team of reporters, anchors, and photo journalists have been dedicated to covering the stories that help people. As a result, they have earned two Emmy awards for investigative journalism.  Vickers is an active member of the Huntsville community, advocating for those who are often ignored. Her work ethic and passion for unbiased storytelling are sure to make an impact in the program.

The University of Alabama EMBA is currently enrolling for the next EMBA class.  For more information on the UA EMBA Program and EMBA scholarships and awards contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501. To request information now, click here.