Speakers and Highlights

Business Leadership Week 2012: How does The First Amendment apply to business?

The theme for 2012 was meant to engage students and the local community on the topic of The First Amendment and the implications it has on business decisions.

Some highlights of the week included an interactive business organization leadership fair, a mini-case competition student organizations competed in, an etiquette dinner, leadership panel, social media open forum, and several guest speakers. 

Over 2,500 students participated in events throughout the week. 

Events Included:

o   Keynote Speaker: Mr. Anthony Griffin, Civil Rights Attorney

o   Executive Leadership Panel: Dennis Broughton, SVP of Internal Consulting Company for Koch Industries; Amy Smith, News Editor for the Austin Chronicle; Brian McCoy, CEO of McCoy Corporation; Joe Ptak, Manager of Planet K

o   Mini-Case Competition for Student Organizations

o   Interactive Fair in McCoy Hall

o   Etiquette Dinner with Diane Gottsman, Founder of The Protocol School of Texas

o   Discussion Forum led by Jason Hinds, Global Program Manager for Online Services at Microsoft Corporation  

Other Guest Speakers Included:

o   Paul Bulmahn, Founder of ATP Oil and Gas

o   Blake Hastings, VP of San Antonio Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

o   Barry Andrews, Founder of Andrews Distributing

o   Jeff Moore, Founder of Moore Leadership

o   Christine Tusa, Founder of Tusa Fitness

o   Troy Nalls, Entrepreneur

o   Rick and Stephanie Ertel, Attorneys for Richard R. Ertel, P.C.

o   Shawn Morris, Manager of Talent Development at Cox Media Group

o   Kathie Schwerdtfeger, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Image Gallery

View the details from the week on the official website.

..........Student Feedback..........

Leadership Panel -

“The presentation and discussion made me feel better prepared for my future career.”

Guest Lecture: Shawn Morris, Cox Media Group -

“I really enjoyed this speaker.  He had a lot of good information that was relatable to our age.  I learned the dos and don’ts of an interview.”

Student Organization Mini-Case Competition -

“I enjoyed the practice of leading a team and thinking about business from a different perspective.  It was a very interesting case.” 

Guest Speaker: Kathie Schwerdtfeger, Deloitte & Touche LLP -

“I learned how important ethics are in today’s world and what is expected in today’s corporate culture.”

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Anthony Griffin, Civil Rights Attorney -

“Mr. Griffin provided an amazingly relevant and insightful speech.  The presentation was great!  I learned that risks are necessary when striving to achieve.  Go for the things you believe in!”