Tuesday, the new Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management hosted its second catered event.
The hotel hosted The University of Memphis Alumni Association Fogelman College of Business and Economics Alumni Chapter’s 10th Annual Career Day Luncheon.
“Every year, prominent alumni go and speak about their careers and how Fogelman (School of Business and Economics) helped them with their career goals,” said Georgetta Carr, one of the chapter’s speakers.
John Bradford, career day chairman, said “Career day is a signature event, important in raising awareness of our college and raising funds along the way.”
In addition to raising money by selling seats for the luncheon to local businesses and alumni, two outstanding alumni were honored and the event featured a key-note speaker.
Dan M. Palmer, a 1996 U of M graduate with a BBA, was the first alumni honored at the semi-formal luncheon. The chapter named Palmer its Outstanding Alumnus of 2002.
He is CEO of Concord EFS, a company that processes ATM, debit-card and point-of-sale transactions. He was also selected as one of the Top 10 Leaders and Success CEO’s for 2001 by Investor’s Business Daily.
“If The University hadn’t been here while I worked day and night jobs, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities to get where I am today,” Palmer said.
Next, the chapter and Dean John J. Pepin honored Frank L. Flautt, Jr. as an Outstanding Friend of the College.
Flautt is president of Flautt, Inc. and co-founder of Sandcastle Resorts. He owns The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa, the largest, most profitable franchise hotel in the Hilton hotel system.
Flautt graduated with a BS from The U of M in 1963.
“The chance that the Fogelman College will have to expose future generations to my career will be outstanding progress,” Flautt said. “I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
Gary S. Shorb, CEO of Methodist Healthcare, was the key-note speaker. He has received the Kate Gooch Award for Community Service in 2000 and The Memphis Business Journal’s Health Care Hero Award.
Shorb is a member of The U of M Board of Visitors and graduated from The U of M with a EMBA in 1985.
Shorb’s message was his mission at Methodist.
“Most people settle for good, but deep down, they still want to go beyond good and get to great,” Shorb said. “And that’s where Methodist is trying to get.”
According to Shorb, there are three principles on a company’s journey from good to great.
The first is leadership.
According to Shorb, doing what’s right for the company, free of personal ego, is the key to great leadership.
“Great leaders are always more plow horse than show horse,” Shorb said.
The second principle to greatness is what Shorb calls the fly-wheel effect. The principle has to do with a business incrementally building momentum.
“The fly-wheel is like a wheel the size of a building,” Shorb said. “The first time you turn it, it’s really hard. Eventually, it gets easier and easier until the wheel moves off its own momentum.”
The third principle of Shorb’s greatness is the hedgehog, where the company simply discards whatever doesn’t work for them.
“There is evidence of these principles at The U of M, and we’re trying to make it clear that they are present at Methodist as well,” Shorb said.
Shorb closed by encouraging the audience not to settle for good.
“Good is really the enemy of great,” he said.
