Through the “Distinguished Speaker Series,” part of the Executive MBA program, USF’s College of Business gives graduate students and EMBA alumni an opportunity to hear sage business advice from senior-level executives.
Listen in as these business leaders reflect on their careers, provide a few pearls of wisdom, and talk about their lives and experiences in the corporate world. To listen to conversations from the 2007-08 series, simply click on the links below. Presentations from previous academic years may be downloaded from WUSF.
2007-2008 Distinguished Speakers |
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In a conversation with international business majors and guests from the local Estonian community, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Estonia’s fourth president talks about economic growth. In a talk entitled “Small Nation, Big World: Technology and Commerce in an Emerging Nation" the head of state discusses the role technology has played in this young nation’s economy.
Listen to his remarks View his bio |
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Tech Data CEO Robert Dutkowsky leads all aspects of the company’s extensive worldwide IT products distribution operations, a business he called a “stealth company” with low named recognition. In his “Tech Data: The Story Behind The Company” conversation, he notes that Tech Data is the only Fortune 100 business headquartered in Tampa Bay and the second largest public company in Florida, saying that thin margins mean mistakes in strategy, execution, or hiring can impact this $23 billion company’s profitability for years.
Listen to his remarks View his bio |
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The Bank of Tampa’s Jerry Divers is clearly passionate about banking. He gives students a case study of the bank in a talk entitled, “A Retrospective on a Lifelong Banking Career.” He shares the rationale behind the bank’s strategic “niche focus” and reasons this bank chose to emphasize the highest level of personal service and strong relationships with customers. He talks about the relationship between employee satisfaction and exceptional customer service.
Listen to his remarks. View his bio |
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Beatty D’Alessandro, Senior Vice President and CFO of Graybar, recently spent an afternoon with students in the USF Executive MBA program as a part of the Distinguished Speaker Series. An alumnus who calls USF “a place that greatly impacted the way I think about business and the way I do business,” D’Alessandro shares his personal experiences in a talk entitled “From the MBA classroom to the corner office.”
Listen to his remarks. View his bio |
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In his “Believing Beyond Your Circumstances” conversation, Reggie Hubbard describes “finding the right people” and following the Golden Rule the cornerstones of his career. As a young USF grad, Hubbard began his career with Sears, joined Chrysler 16 years later and now runs Hubbard Automotive Group, which consists of Metrolina Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Metrolina Used Car/Truck Superstore, and Honda of Lake Norman.
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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Warren Bare is a “serial entrepreneur” whose current company, Jobkabob, is growing quickly and helping change the way people look at Internet recruiting. The 1987 USF grad gives EMBA students a glimpse into life as an entrepreneur, in a talk entitled “The Best and Worst of Being an Entrepreneur,” describing the early days of this first company and why, despite his “I swear I will never do it again,” claim, he continues to start new businesses.
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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A founding partner of SE Capital, Brad Bernstein identifies new investment opportunities and works with portfolio companies on corporate planning, strategic development and financial management initiatives. In his “Private Equity Financing” talk, Bernstein reflects on the early days of his career and reveals some of most important lessons he learned as a young banker: be a top performer, be passionate about what you do, and take charge of your own career
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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Linda Marcelli believes in blazing trails. During her career with Merrill Lynch, she served in leadership roles, was the first female Field Manager, and eventually led a Merrill Lynch district in New York City with nine offices, 900+ consultants, and $760+ million in revenue. In "Doing What You Like and Liking What You Do: The Journey from Growing Money to Growing Tomatoes,” Marcelli does a bit of storytelling, shares practical business advice, and gives students a glimpse into her new career with Lucky’s Real Tomatoes.
Listen to her remarks. View her bio.
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It’s been said that Walter Andrusyszyn’s bio reads like a Tom Clancy novel. He’s served as a Foreign Service Officer and as Director for Northern and Eastern European Affairs in the National Security Council. He’s held key positions in American embassies and enjoyed key roles in the White House. His talk is entitled “International Business Issues.”
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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2006-2007 Distinguished Speakers |
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"Combo Deal: Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Restaurants"
Keith Sirois, President and CEO, Checker's Drive-In Restaurants
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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"A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Karaoke Lounge"
Carlo Franzblau, President and Founder, Carry-A-Tune Technologies
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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“A Conversation with Paul Avery”
Paul Avery, Chief Operating Officer, Outback Steakhouse, Inc.
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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"Management Strategies I've Found to be Successful "
Les Muma, CEO Emeritus, Fiserv
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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“Managing Motor Sports”
Joie Chitwood, President and Chief Operating Officer, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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"Innovative Reinventing"
Martin Schaffel, President & CEO, Audio Visual Innovations
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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“Building a Brand”
Brian Keenan, President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank Tampa Bay
Listen to his remarks. View his bio.
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