Cheryl Altemara, Susan Carver West, & Donna Blackburn
Manderson Graduate School of Business
The University of Alabama.
Profile: Cheryl Altemara
Title: Manager of Admissions
Organization: University of Alabama Executive MBA Programs
Address: Box 870223, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487
Phone: 205-348-4501
Fax: 205-348-0479
E-mail: caltemara@cba.ua.edu
Website: www.emba.cba.ua.edu
The Executive MBA Programs at UA offer professionals the opportunity to refine their their skills and gain comprehensive business knowledge while moving forward in their careers. Our programs provide individuals the opportunity to make an outstanding investment in their future.
Mission: To increase the value of our degree every day.
Job description: Guide students through the admissions process; recruit and seat the Tuscaloosa EMBA Program each year; assist the Assistant Director in marketing campaign and other areas as needed
Length of service: 14 months
Accreditations: AACSB
Education: University of Alabama, BS in Public Relations, 1990
Family: Drew (spouse), Mario & Sophie (cats)
Personal Business Philosophy: be honest, do what you say, kindness counts
Advice to women in business: do the hard stuff first, don't make excuses, engage others, be kind, apologize, and admit when you are wrong
Best advice ever received: proceed with the assumption that everyone's intentions are sincere
Secret to surviving in business: always show up and don't back away from or avoid conflict
Strongest inspiration: my parents and the unconditional love I receive every day from my family and friends
Being in business has taught me: rarely is there an issue or problem is more important than the people working on it
Someone should have told me: to earn a master's degree before age 40!
Secret to dealing with employees: talk less, listen more; show trust, respect and kindness
What most people don’t realize about me: I love to collect rocks!
Primary volunteer and community involvement: UA Alumni Association - Tuscaloosa County Chapter and formerly the Friends of the UA Arboretum
Favorite place or way to relax: going for a very long walk with my husband
Favorite restaurant: Taco Casa
Profile: Susan West
Title: Assistant Dean Manderson Graduate School of Business
Organization: University of Alabama
Address:103 Bidgood Hall, Box 870223- Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0223
Phone: 205-348-8957
Fax: 205-348-0479
E-mail: swest@cba.ua.edu
Website: www.emba.ua.edu
Favorite Quote: Your attitude will determine your altitude.
UA Executive MBA- The Smartest Business Decision You Will Ever Make.
Mission: To increase the value of our degree with every passing day.
Job description: To define the strategic mission of the Executive MBA, MBA and other Master's programs and to help lead others to achieve our common objectives so that they get better every day.
Length of service: 8.5 years
Accreditations: AACSB
Education: BS in Finance; MBA
Family: Husband Tom; 2 Stepchildren
Personal Business Philosophy: Always put the good of the organization first and treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Advice to women in business: Learn to help other women and be able to talk sports and business
Best advice ever received: Treat others how THEY want to be treated rather than how YOU want to be treated.
Secret to surviving in business: Focus on what matters the most.
Strongest inspiration: You can do ALL things through Christ.
Being in business has taught me: To always have a plan as change is inevitable
Secret to dealing with employees: Care deeply for your employees.
Primary volunteer and community involvement: Church and University activities
Favorite place or way to relax: Beach and/or golf course
Favorite restaurant: Houston's- consistent food and excellent customer service.
Susan West is the Assistant Dean of the Manderson Graduate School of Business at The University of Alabama. She serves as the director for all Master's programs including the MBA and Executive MBA programs. Ms. West currently serves as Chair on the Executive MBA Council's Board of Trustees. She is an executive board member and past president of the Tuscaloosa Co. Alumni Association, past president of the Nashville Alumni Association, a committee chairperson for Cystic Fibrosis, a Nashville Tennis Association board member and corporate fundraising chairperson, Hands on Charlotte Strategic Marketing Committee member, and serves several leadership roles in her church. Ms. West also achieved national ranking in women's tennis singles and doubles (#7 and #2) and now competes nationally in golf.
Biography: Susan West is the Assistant Dean of the Manderson Graduate School of Business at The University of Alabama. In that role, she serves as the director for all Master's programs including the MBA and Executive MBA programs. Susan is also the current Chair of the Executive MBA Council Board of Directors.
She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1986 and again in 1998 with an MBA. During her career in industry she was in the Commercial Insurance Industry for Chubb in Atlanta, Connecticut, California, and finally in Nashville where she was in charge of the start-up branch for the company.
After earning her MBA, she worked at Springs Industries, outside of Charlotte, NC, in several areas including strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and as the Director of E-Commerce. In 2001, she was named Director of the Executive MBA Program and Executive Education. In late 2004 she was promoted to her current role.
Susan played College Tennis at UA and went on to become nationally ranked in women's singles and doubles (#7 and #2) in the U.S. She has retired from tennis and currently plays competitive golf at the National level. She carries a 1 handicap and is married to an avid golfer, Tom West who has two children, Chris and Gillian.
Profile: Donna Blackburn
Title: Assistant Director, EMBA Programs
Organization:The University of Alabama
Address: 103 Bidgood Hall, Box 870223, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0223
Phone: 205-348-8748
Fax: 205-348-0479
E-mail: dblackburn@cba.ua.edu
Website: www.emba.ua.edu
Favorite Quote: "A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are for. Sail out to sea and do new things." Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
Mission: To increase the value of our Executive MBA degree every day.
Job description: Direct marketing and recruitment for our EMBA Programs in Huntsville and Tuscaloosa.
Length of service: 4 years
Accreditations: AACSB
Education: BA in Journalism and MS in Educational Psychology from Georgia State University
Family: Single
Personal Business Philosophy: To help others further their goals in life.
Advice to women in business: The greatest ideas come from unexpected places. Expand your network outside your area of expertise.
Best advice ever received: From my yoga teacher - "Breathe"
Secret to surviving in business: Treat your clients like family (the ones you like!)
Strongest inspiration: from poetry and music - anything that provokes a vivid image
Being in business has taught me: Take a risk. If you have an idea go for it.
Someone should have told me: I have traveled a great deal in my job, but I wish someone had told me to live abroad earlier in my career.
Secret to dealing with employees: Hire the best and really listen to them and champion their ideas.
Favorite place or way to relax: Yoga, meditation or curled up on a couch with a cup of tea and a good book.
Favorite restaurant: The Flying Biscuit in Atlanta and Brother Junipers in Memphis -- they serve amazing breakfast.
