College of Business and Economic Development
College of Business and Economic Development
Thank you for your interest in the Business Advisory Council (BAC) for the College of Business and Economic Development at The University of Southern Mississippi. The BAC is comprised of individuals with the experience and insight to help the college determine the relevancy of our curricula, whether new programs are needed, and current personal and professional development needs of our students.
The Business Advisory Council was founded in 1999 for the primary purpose of advising the dean on shaping the education provided to our current and future business students and help the College become a national leader in business education. We want to utilize the wealth of experience that comprises the BAC for betterment of our students and programs.
The financial contributions made by BAC members provide the dean with discretionary funds to support important initiatives within the college, such as...
The time commitment as a member of the BAC is very reasonable. We typically meet two or three times per year with each meeting consisting of a lunch or dinner, along with a discussion of current, important goals. There may also be follow-up questions or discussion by email throughout the year.
Additionally, we solicit members of the BAC to participate in our annual professional development event for students, called Experience Business Casually, where students get advice and coaching from executives on topics, such as professional attire, perfecting as elevator pitch, handshakes, interviewing skills and dining etiquette.
Full Membership
$1,250/year
Young Membership (under 40)
$0 the first year
$250 each year until full membership is reached
Corporate Membership
$3,000 (three memberships)
Lifetime Membership
$25,000
Sam Britton | Mississippi’s Public Service Commissioner, Southern District |
David Burckel | CEO, Southern Bone & Joint |
Hoppy Cole | President & CEO, The First, A National Banking Association |
Robert E. Donnell III | Tax and Investment Oversight Principal, Robert Donnell CPA |
Cindy Gaddis | Retired Vice President Finance-Global Downstream Controller, Shell Oil Company |
Todd Gregory | Vice President, Cintas Corporation |
John Griffith | Executive Vice President, BancorpSouth |
Michael Harvey | Northern Division Manager, Mississippi Power Company |
Brad Holmes | Senior Vice President, First Southern Bank |
Lowell Howell | Vice President, First State Bank |
Brad Jones | General Manager, Cintas Corporation |
Linda Keng | Partner, Jones Walker LLP |
Mark Killingsworth | Retired VP/GMM, Dillard's Inc. |
Kenneth Lott | Retired Principal, Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC |
Tom McDonnell | CEO, U-Save Car and Truck Rental |
Sean McGee | Senior Vice President of Premier Banking, BancorpSouth |
Nell Murray | Owner, Murray Consulting |
Chad Newell | President, Area Development Partnership |
Hugh Parker | Retired CEO, Horne LLP |
Christy Pickering | Director, Hancock Whitney Corporation Director, Mississippi Power Company |
Brad Reynolds | Owner, WBR Investment Services, LLC |
Joseph Saoud | Executive Vice President of Bridgestone Americas & President of Latin America |
Brandt Schmersahl | Retired Regional Human Resources Director, Cintas Corporation |
Kevin Smathers | Director of HBC Executive Services, Hudson's Bay Company |
Andy Stetelman | CEO, London & Stetelman Commercial Realtors |
Janita Stewart | District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration |
Dr. Jim Thompson | CEO and Director, Healthmark Regional Medical Center |
David Tolbert | Vice President, Southern Tire Mart |
Raymond Van Norman | Executive Vice President & Central Mississippi President, Renasant Bank |
Benny Waddle | Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending, BancorpSouth |
Bill Ward | President, Ward International Trucks LLC |
If you are interested in joining, please contact J.T. Tisdale at james.tisdaleFREEMississippi.