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Leadership, Strategic Planning Highlight Partnership Summit

Leadership, Strategic Planning Highlight Partnership Summit
Dean Kathy Farrell kicked off the weekend activities at the Partnership Summit with her own Dean's Advisory Board meeting.
Themes of leadership and strategic planning resonated with Nebraska Business alumni, partners and friends who turned out for the annual Partnership Summit at Howard L. Hawks Hall, October 19. The event, which serves as an opportunity for most of the college’s 16 advisory boards to meet, share information and provide feedback, gave Dr. Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business, a platform for unveiling the new college strategic plan to supporters.

“Together, we drive discovery, create opportunity and empower individuals to lead the future of business. We are Nebraska Business,” Farrell proclaimed, introducing the college’s new mission during her state of the college address. “Our mission comes to life every day before our eyes as we see a direct connection between what happens here at the college because of the roles our supporters, like you, play in our community. By sharing your time and supporting our efforts, you create opportunities for students to challenge themselves and advance the future of business.”

Bill Moos preached a leadership approach of being firm, fair and consistent.
Bill Moos preached a leadership approach of being firm, fair and consistent.
The strategic plan, developed last spring, involved more than 40 stakeholders of the college, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, business partners and university representatives. Bill Moos, athletic director of the Nebraska Department of Athletics, delivered the luncheon keynote address, which underscored the college’s efforts by emphasizing the importance of involving your entire organization in strategic planning to deliver long-term success.

“Your whole team has to have ownership,” said Moos. “You have to have a blueprint so everybody knows when you’re at A and you want to get to B, what B is going to look like. The idea has to come from the entire work staff. You try to get into the end zone in football without the left guard or the right tackle. Same thing at Nebraska Athletics. You’re not going to become successful without the business office, marketing, development team, trainers, nutritionists or strength people – their picture is never in the paper, but try to get into the end zone without them.”

Moos focused on leadership as the linchpin to developing a culture which allows strategic plans to flourish. He noted the desperate need for young people to develop leadership skills, and singled out the master of arts in business with a specialization in intercollegiate athletics administration (MAIAA) program at Nebraska Business, as a case example of moving in the right direction.

“Today there’s so much great curriculum. There was nothing like that back in my day. The MAIAA program intrigues me. These students intern at the Department of Athletics, and want the mentorship to go on and become leaders in the industry I’m in. I’ve already met with half the MAIAA students for an hour each. You get fresh ideas from these young people, and that’s gratifying for me at this stage in my career,” he said.

Former Husker basketball stalwart Bill Jackman with Dean Kathy Farrell at the Summit Partnership tailgate.
Former Husker basketball stalwart Bill Jackman with Dean Kathy Farrell at the Summit Partnership tailgate.
The following day, boosters gathered in the Henrickson Family Atrium for a football tailgate preceding Nebraska’s victory over Minnesota. Bill Jackman, ’86, former standout Husker basketball player who works as senior vice president for investments, UBS Wealth Management, in Dallas, attended the tailgate and made similar references to the importance of leadership and planning as being key to success.

“It’s important for every organization to have great teamwork, communication and collaboration. Leadership drives that whole process,” Jackman said. “Students learn to work in teams at the College of Business and that’s important because in the business world you’re constantly working in teams.”

He pointed out that learning leadership skills becomes a self-supporting cycle.
 
“We have so many great leaders supporting us in business in Nebraska and elsewhere. They give us great strategic vision for the business school. They hire our students, who in turn go out and become successful, and then they come back and give of their time, talent and treasure.”

Sheri Andrews, president and CEO of Lozier, received the Business Leadership Award at the Partnership Summit.
Sheri Andrews, president and CEO of Lozier, received the Business Leadership Award at the Partnership Summit.
At the Partnership Summit, Sheri Andrews, president and CEO of Lozier Corporation, received the Dean's Advisory Board Business Leadership Award for her long-standing leadership position in the community. Kevin Yost, chair of the Dean's Advisory Board and partner at Capitol Peak Partners, noted her distinguished track record.
 
"The Business Leadership Award singles out an individual that embodies work ethic and successful leadership, including business ethics, community service and overall business excellence over a long period of time. Sheri’s been at Lozier for more than 30 years serving in roles in finance, customer service, sales and marketing. In 2002, she was named president of Lozier, and in 2010 was named president and CEO. Prior to being at Lozier, she spent nine years at Deloitte as a leader at the firm, working with clients in agriculture, manufacturing and retail, and was named as a tax partner in 1984,” Yost said.
 
To review the entire list of past Dean's Advisory Board recipients, visit: https://business.unl.edu/abawards/
 
To learn more about the College of Business strategic plan, visit: https://business.unl.edu/strategicplan/.
 
Published: October 24, 2018