Roll Tide Welcome for Incoming TEMBA Class of 2017

• November 30th, 2015
• in EMBA Uncategorized, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

The Culverhouse College of Commerce welcomed the incoming Tuscaloosa Executive MBA Class of 2017 at orientation on The University of Alabama campus on November 19. The 30 students enjoyed a kickoff reception the night before at Hotel Capstone. Interim Dean Brian Gray welcomed them to campus where they will pursue an M.B.A. degree over the next 17 months.

The incoming TEMBA class has an average age of 35 and 13 years of work experience. Thirty-three percent of the class is female (the average for EMBA Programs worldwide is 27.6 percent, according to the EMBA Council). The class represents a diverse range of industries from finance, government and non-profit, healthcare, manufacturing, defense, consulting, energy, construction, media, services, engineering and technology. In addition, 20 percent are military, 73 percent managers, 10 percent professionals and 20 percent are vice president/c-level/owners.

During orientation the students are divided into the teams they will work in during the program. The EMBA forms teams based on several parameters including professional and academic background, skill sets, goals and personality testing. Students had sessions on values, building their team charters, University processes, career development and an introduction to statistics.

Teams also competed in a scavenger hunt later in the day where they sought out campus landmarks for photo ops. “It’s a fun way to get to know the campus and build relationships with their team and classmates,” said Linda Cox, Program Assistant for EMBA.

The orientation concluded with a dinner hosted by the Executive MBA Alumni Network. Network President Ben Paulk greeted the incoming class and congratulated them on their journey. “The EMBA Program is a life changing experience and if you embrace it, the opportunity is there to build a great professional network and to make lasting friendships,” said Paulk.

The students will return to campus December 1 for a week-long immersion to begin their first semester Statistics, Marketing, Accounting and Project Management courses.

Congratulations and Roll Tide TEMBA Class of 2017:

• Ruqayyah Abdullah, BBVA Compass
• Michael Adams, Randall-Reilly
• Katie Askew, The University of Alabama
• Brady Baird, Summerville United Methodist Church
• Brett BiaLowas, PPG Industries
• Jay Brooks II, Tag Grinding
• Stephen Buzzell, Grammer, Inc.
• Christie Davis, Northport Police Department
• Sierra Earle, USAmeriBank
• Monte Green, McLeod Software
• Matt Hartley, Chemetall
• Billy Helmandollar, DCH Health System
• Mary Scott Hunter, Intuitive Research
• Doug Lafont, TAMKO Building Products
• Walt Long, US Air Force, MAFB
• Anuraag Malaviya, Tata Consultancy Services
• Frazer McCurdy, ServisFirst Bank
• Hayley Ray McNeill, The University of Alabama
• Bridgette Montgomery, VA Medical Center
• Natasha Moore, Horne LLP
• Sean O’Brien, UPS
• Bryan Sanders, DaVita Kidney Care
• Jason Sellars, The University of Alabama
• Lilly Setiawan, The Dutch Group
• Dane Shaw, Arsenal Place Accelerator
• Ryan Stallings, First South Farm Credit
• Will Stroup, The  Brogdon Group
• Josh Vinson, Parallon Business Solutions
• Beth Webster, Small Business Development Center
• Rich Winstead, US Navy

For more information on the Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205-348-4501 or visit our website at www.emba.ua.edu.

UA and EMBA Receive Top Rankings for Veterans

• November 10th, 2015
• in EMBA Uncategorized, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

For the sixth year, the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama has been named a Military Friendly® school by Victory Media. Now in its 13th year for companies and seventh year for post-secondary schools, Victory Media’s Military Friendly® ratings recognize colleges and companies with leading programs for veterans, members of the Armed Forces leaving military service and military spouses. The military currently represents 29% of the entering EMBA class for 2015, up from 25% the year before.

Factors considered in the Military Friendly® school selection process include support for student veterans on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse/dependent policies. Daniel Nichols, Chief Product Officer of Victory Media and Navy Reserve veteran adds: “Those earning the 2016 Military Friendly® designation demonstrate a strong connection between classroom learning and career development. They’re moving the needle beyond ‘why recruit military’ to translating military competencies into training and positive employment after graduation.”

To read the full press release, click here. In addition to the University of Alabama being named as one of the 2016 best colleges for veterans by U.S. News and World Report, a new study commissioned by United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes rates Tuscaloosa, Alabama as the top metro area that offers higher education opportunities for veterans.

According to the rankings released November 5, UA received the top ranking due to factors such as having the highest graduation rate among the top 10 and the highest percentage of Post-9/11 Yellow Ribbon recipients. For more information on this year’s criteria click on USAA.

Here’s the full top 10 list:

1. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2. Lynchburg, Virginia
3. Ann Arbor, Michigan
4. College Station, Texas
5. St. Louis, Missouri
6. Killeen, Texas
7. Syracuse, New York
8. Greenville, North Carolina
9. Salt Lake City, Utah
10. Columbia, South Carolina

For more information about the UA Executive MBA, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or request information at www.emba.ua.edu.

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Nathan Chilcutt

• September 23rd, 2015
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Program: Tuscaloosa EMBA (Class of 2013)

Education: Georgia Institute of Technology, BS, Building Construction; University of Alabama, M.B.A.

Previous Occupations/Experience: President, Housing Inc.; Vice President, New Home Building Stores

Current Occupation: Culverhouse College of Commerce, University of Alabama, Instructor, Operations Management

Why did you decide to teach?

I’ve always enjoyed teaching. I’ve always found myself in a position of being a trainer and leaning toward teaching, whether it was coaching or Sunday School or at work. I’ve always enjoyed mentoring others and just kept pursuing the decision to teach.

Did an EMBA professor help you decide to begin teaching or impact your teaching methods? 

As far as helping me decide to start teaching, I’d say Dr. King in his Leadership class helped tremendously, and Dr. Strickland in his Strategy class helped lay out the path. Others, like Drs. Dulek, Ellinger, Albright, and Gray, whose personalities, temperaments, and ways of handling difficult course content and making them easier, showed me I could do this and take industry experience and apply it to the classroom.

Why did you enroll in the Tuscaloosa EMBA program? 

They accepted me! Seriously, the cost and national reputation was part of it, and it’s close. We were here; my wife teaches at the University. I looked elsewhere, and I just wanted a campus experience instead of an online experience. I’m teaching an online Introduction to Operations Management class now and I don’t see how people do it!

What was your favorite experience in EMBA? 

Just the fellow students and being able to interact with peers. I was kind of the old guy, and it was nice to see that I had life and business experience that I could use to improve and to help others with some of their business and class problems. Age has its benefits and I can actually bring something to the table!

What has been the most interesting part of teaching?

The volume of work required! It’s been a good thing, but I’ve been an adjunct before, and it’s always been one or two classes and I’ve been surprised at the volume of work that’s necessary to do it well. There’s a great deal that goes on in the background that you don’t even think of until you’re teaching. It’s great to do and it’s a tremendous and worthwhile experience. Dealing with the students is a lot of fun, even the tough ones!

According to former students of Nathan Chilcutt’s:

• “Hands down one of the best teachers in the business school!”
• “Like all good teachers, he was less focused on what the book had to say and more focused on what we needed to know for real life applications.”
• “Professor Chilcutt is one of the most helpful professors I have had at this university.”

What advice would you give to current EMBA students? 

Get to know your professors on a personal level, don’t just deal with them in class. Personal interaction is key; it’s amazing what these people can present to you and provide and want to provide because they want to give something. Get to know and interact with your classmates, ask a lot of questions and just be be open to the experience, that’s the greatest thing-just be a part of it.
For more information on the Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501.
More Spotlight Articles

• Heather Martin, HEMBA 2016
• Nancy Acquavella, HEMBA 2015
• Matt Bogue, TEMBA 2014

University of Alabama Welcomes HEMBA 2017 Class

• August 21st, 2015
• in EMBA Program Information, EMBA Uncategorized, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

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.

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.
 

Announcing the 2016 UA EMBA International Trip

• August 3rd, 2015
• in International Trip

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.

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Heather Martin

• July 9th, 2015
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

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.

To enroll today click on www.emba.ua.edu.

Behind the Scenes: New Faculty Joining EMBA Program

• June 16th, 2015
• in Behind the Scenes: Meet our Staff & Faculty

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.

Celebrating EMBA Class of 2015 Graduates, Families and Veterans

• May 28th, 2015
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

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.

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.

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.

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.

UA EMBA Celebrates 30 Years

• February 11th, 2015
• in EMBA Program Information, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

Since 1985, the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program has been broadening our students’ horizons and inspiring professional and personal growth. In 30 years, our program has grown to include two locations – Tuscaloosa and Huntsville – and has educated over 800 professionals.

In celebration of 30 years of excellence, we will host several events throughout the year. Our kickoff celebration will be the Rooftop Reception at the new Renasant Bank in downtown Tuscaloosa on Friday, April 17, from 5 to 7 pm. At the reception, we will also be honoring Dr. Lonnie Strickland, strategy professor and one of the founders of the EMBA Program at the Culverhouse College of Commerce. With live entertainment and views of the Black Warrior River, this is sure to be a remarkable night of toasting to the EMBA Program’s 30 year anniversary. “We are looking forward to seeing our alumni, faculty, and staff return to Tuscaloosa and celebrate this great occasion,” said Associate Dean Brian Gray.

Next, we invite our EMBA alumni to join our 30th graduating class for brunch in the North Zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, May 2, from 10-11:30 am. Come and meet the EMBA Class of 2015 at one of the most iconic locations on campus and enjoy the stunning scenery of the stadium as well as the Walk of Champions.
We will also host Family Day at the Tuscaloosa River Market on Sunday, June 14, from 4-7:30 pm. This will be a casual event for EMBA students, alumni, faculty, staff, and family. Join us for fun games such as Bingo and Corn Hole as well as barbeque, Steel City Pops, and a movie. You may even win a prize!

Other events will follow including an EMBA Alumni Network Tailgate during the 2015 football season along with our annual Women’s Leadership Luncheons in Birmingham on Wednesday, March 11, and Huntsville on Tuesday, April 7. Our 30th Anniversary events make this an exciting year full of opportunities to network, socialize, and celebrate.

With this landmark anniversary comes reflection and feelings of nostalgia. Pictured to the left is the Class of 1986 – the first of hundreds of Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA graduates.

Alumni, what are your favorite memories of your time in the EMBA program? Send us your stories and pictures to include in our Memory Book, a recollection of our first 30 years to be distributed at Family Day in June.

To RSVP for these events or to contribute to the memory book, please contact Donna Blackburn at dblackburn@cba.ua.edu or 205.348.8748.

For more information about the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA, please contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.5401 or request information here.

EMBA Elite Spotlight: Matt Bogue

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

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

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

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

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