EMBA Alumni Return to Tuscaloosa for Networking Conference

• October 12th, 2017
• in EMBA Alumni Network

By Kate Hampton

Members of The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA program returned to Tuscaloosa for the fourth annual EMBA Alumni Network Conference, October 5^th – 6^th. Alumni from the very first 1986 class to recent 2017 graduates were in attendance. The conference commenced at Heat Pizza Bar in downtown Tuscaloosa, AL with a networking reception. It was exciting for alumni to reconnect with classmates and professors.

The second day of the conference took place at the Bryant Conference Center where attendees reunited to discuss innovative ideas and connect on future work and passion projects. The conference opened with speaker Dr. Greg Michaelson, Director of DataRobot Labs. His illuminating presentation on data science covered the four keys to building a competitive advantage.

Matthew Lawrence, Advanced Analytics Consultant for Slalom Consulting, followed Dr. Michaelson’s presentation as he challenged attendees to explore the application of agile methodology to analytics projects.
In the afternoon, Dr. Brian Gray, Associate Dean of Manderson Graduate School, provided alumni with updates regarding the Culverhouse College of Commerce’s 2017 rankings. Forbes ranked the MBA Program 43^rd overall, 21^st public, and 2^nd in the SEC (moving us up 6, 4, and 2 spots, respectively) as having the best return on investment for students.

Gray also reported the 1^st place finish of the full-time MBA case team at the 2017 National Black MBA Association Conference Case Competition in Philadelphia, PA.

Donna Blackburn, Executive Director of the EMBA program, presented the 2017 EMBA Alumni Survey results with 26% responding to the survey. The surveyed alumni reported a 51% salary increase on average after graduating from the EMBA program. Program satisfaction rate increased to 99% this year (a 4% increase over the last survey conducted in 2015).

The president of the 2016-2017 EMBA Alumni Network, Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004), recognized outgoing board member Ben Paulk (TEMBA 2012). An active member of the board, Paulk has served as Communications Chair and 2015-2016 President. During his acceptance speech, Paulk stated, “The EMBA Alumni Network has been incredibly valuable to me and I encourage everyone to get involved and continue to help grow the network.”

Shamburger also introduced the 2017-2018 EMBA Alumni Network Board President, Jennifer Thomas (TEMBA 2014), who shared her goals for the upcoming year, including mentorship and career development initiatives.
With a final sendoff, the conference closed with a “Roll Tide” and reminder of the November 4^th Alumni Tailgate for Alabama vs. LSU.

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.

A Community of Champions

• September 14th, 2017
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

Just a few days before Hurricane Irma was set to make landfall in the U.S., Executive MBA student (2018) Andrew “Andy” Maguire, sent an email that read: “There is a good chance that I will not be able to make it to class this weekend…We will be supporting disaster relief preparation and actual relief from now through the next few weeks.” Signing off with a sincere “Andy”, the Murfreesboro, Tennessee native removed the script ‘A’ embroidered crimson cap and replaced it with the regalia of the Tennessee National Guard.

For the past few weeks, Director of Operations/Aviation Commander Andy Maguire and his unit have been involved in relief efforts throughout Texas, Georgia and Florida. The unit is currently housing the aircraft from those states and presently packing planes with much needed medical supplies and food. “Right now we are breaking down our helicopters to go in C-5 and C-17 jets to support relief in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which have suffered greatly during the hurricane (Irma),” Maguire stated.

In the EMBA Program at The University of Alabama, our definition of family reaches beyond classroom walls. It encompasses the states, cities, towns and neighborhoods that our students call home. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, we know that now, more than ever, community is important. We want our students and alumni to know that their homes and their communities are important to us.

To those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, we want to know that you and your family are okay. Please check in with us on the UAEMBA Facebook page.

To learn more about the UA EMBA community 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 To Visit Peru and Ecuador in 2018

• August 17th, 2017
• in International Trip

The University of Alabama Executive MBA Class of 2018 will be visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lima, Peru and Guayaquil, Ecuador Feburary 23-March 3, with an optional post trip to the Galapagos Islands March 3-6.
The UA EMBA Program has been taking students abroad since 2003. We have visited 20 countries, 35 cities and over 135 companies. The trip is a requirement of the International Business course taught in the final semester.  A benefit for our EMBA alumni is that trip is always open for them to attend.  A guest package is also made available with many students bringing a family member.

The trip is considered a highlight of the program including visits to a wide range of industries and a consulting project focusing on a social enterprise and a community project in Lima, Peru. No trip is complete without exploring the culture and sights of the cities we visit.  The upcoming trip begins with Machu Picchu, located 7,972 feet high in the Andes Mountains showcasing an impressive five-mile and 3,000 stone step man-made wonder. A tour of Cusco, the “Archaelogical Capital of the World” and an afternoon at a Hacienda in Guayaquil are included.

A special tradition for our EMBAs has been the optional “Bucket List” location.  In 2018 the post trip is to the Galapagos Islands.  This once in a lifetime location will allow students to observe the fragile ecosystem and get up close and personal with the unique animal species that populate this magnificent archipelago and surrounding waters.
More than half of all American Fair Trade Partners are in Latin America, making the choice of these countries simple. The selection of Peru and Ecuador allows us to compare and contrast between the two Latin American countries.
According to the U.S. State Department, “Peru has had two decades of pro-growth, yielding unprecedented economic expansion, low inflation, investment-grade status for the country’s debt, significant foreign investment in mining and manufacturing and a dramatic drop in poverty rates. The U.S. and Ecuador share a history of partnership and cooperation, and have mutual interests in reducing poverty, fostering Ecuador’s economic development, increasing trade and addressing environmental conservation and biodiversity.”

Our travel agency for 2018 is The Austral Group. Austral has been conducting trips for Executive MBA programs for almost a decade. Headquartered in Santiago, Chile they have an international staff of 47 organizing programs throughout the U.S. and Latin America. Austral is focused on creating an extraordinary international education experience for students. Dynamic, energetic and truly passionate about what they do.

For more information on the international trip and how you can enroll in the UA EMBA, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.

To request information now, click here.

HEMBA Alum Credits UA EMBA With Guiding Company

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

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

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

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

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

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

TEMBA Class Visits Mercedes

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

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

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

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

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

Roll Tide Celebration for the EMBA Class of 2017 Graduates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2017 UA EMBAs Explore Saigon, Singapore and Thailand

• May 5th, 2017
• in International Trip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMBA Alumnus David Lyles Wins Woodruff Award

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

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

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

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

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

UA EMBA Announces New Scholarships for Incoming Students

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

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

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

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

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

Get Involved 2017

• February 2nd, 2017
• in EMBA Alumni Network

The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Alumni Network is kicking off their Get Involved 2017 campaign. “We are encouraging our alumni to attend events, promote and recommend potential student, raise funds for the Brian Rankin EMBA Endowed Scholarship and to stay connected,” said President of the EMBA Alumni Network Russell Shamburger (TEMBA 2004). As a student, the EMBAs developed networks and forged friendships while they completed their M.B.A. degree. Having alumni stay involved and stay active with the EMBA Program is important in growing the value of their degree, bringing in high caliber students, and providing networking and educational opportunities.  Let’s do this, UA EMBAs, let’s Get Involved!

10 Ways to GET INVOLVED 2017

1. Join the UA EMBA Alumni Social Networks

Join LinkedIn Group at University of Alabama Executive MBA

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UAEMBA/

Follow us on Twitter @UA_ExecutiveMBA

❤ and follow us on Instagram at uaemba

2. Stay updated and follow our blog

Submit news or write a blog: contact dblackburn@cba.ua.edu

3. Promote the EMBA

Refer a potential EMBA student

Attend an upcoming UA EMBA recruiting event

Host a recruiting event at your company

4. Wear with pride your UA EMBA apparel

Check out our new EMBA apparel portal at the UA SupeStore: https://supestoreua.myshopify.com/collections/executive-mba

5. Get Involved with the EMBA Program

Become a mentor to a new EMBA student

6. Get Involved with the EMBA Alumni Network

Volunteer to work on an EMBA alumni committee

Run for the UA EMBA Alumni Network Board

Attend an event

Participate in the EMBA Alumni Survey

7. Make a donation

Donate to the Brian A. Rankin EMBA Scholarship Fund

Take advantage of your firm’s or employer’s gift matching program

8. Inform the Manderson Graduate School Career Services Office about employment opportunities in your company

Hire a fellow alum. Let us know when you do.

9. Keep in touch

With faculty and staff

Email or call a classmate

Keep us updated with your contact information

10. Stop by the EMBA office – bring your family to campus. The EMBA office loves seeing alumni and their families! Roll Tide!

Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendar – GET INVOLVED 2017

April 22 – Manderson Graduate School of Business A-Day Breakfast

October 5-6 – EMBA Alumni Network Annual Conference and Business Analytics Symposium

We are also busy planning a Family Day at Regions Field in Birmingham, Picnic in the Park in Huntsville, University of Alabama Baseball Day, Football Roll Tide Tailgate, as well as some city stops so please stay in touch and make plans to Get Involved 2017.

For more information on how you can get involved with the UA EMBA Alumni Network, contact the EMBA office at dblackburn@cba.ua.edu or call (205) 348.8748.

For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program click on emba.ua.edu or contact Cheryl Altemara at (205) 348-4501 or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.