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Conversations with...Speaker Series

Evan Smith

Thursday, April 4:

 Evan Smith - Austin Journalist/TV Personality & CEO of The Texas Tribune

Evan Smith is the Editor in Chief and CEO of The Texas Tribune, a non-profit, non-partisan digital news organization based in Austin. The Tribune's deep coverage of Texas politics and public policy can be found at its website, texastribune.org; in the pages of the New York Times; and in newspapers and on TV and radio stations across the state. In three years of
operation, the Tribune has won four Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, two general excellence awards from the Online News Association and a Knight-Batten award for innovations in journalism. Before co-founding the Tribune, Evan spent nearly 18 years at Texas Monthly, including eight years as Editor and a year as President and Editor in Chief. On his watch, Texas Monthly twice won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence.

 

 

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Sponsored by Regions Bank

The Conversations With…Speaker Series sponsored by Regions Bank provides students and staff of Concordia University Texas and the greater Austin community an opportunity to learn from a variety of professionals who model Christian leadership. Representing the worlds of commerce, non-profits and education, participants will dialogue together on what it takes to lead and build an organization. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage the speakers in further discussion. No reservations or tickets required. 

You can listen in on these engaging conversations each month from 11:30a – 12:30p on the campus of Concordia in the Auditorium located in Building A. (Campus map) Concordia University Drive is located on RR 620 just north of 2222 and south of 183. (Directions to CTX) Please note that lunch is not served, but is available before or afterwards in the Concordia cafeteria (Bldg E) or at one of the many fine area restaurants.

If you have questions, please contact the College of Business at 512.313.5302 or cob@concordia.edu.

 

Previous Speakers:

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3/7/13  Kevin Benz, has been lauded as a media trailblazer and an Austin innovator – two descriptions which set him apart from others in his field.  But more than anything else, Kevin is a storyteller.  Whether it be through radio, television or digital news, Kevin believes in the power of media to tell the stories that help people navigate through their culture.  With over 30 years of experience in launching and running broadcast, cable, and online newsrooms, Kevin has told numerous stories that have shaped Austin into the city it is today.  Always on the cutting edge of news delivery, Kevin helped launch News 8 Austin in 1999, CultureMap Austin in 2011, and most recently I-Media Strategies.  Kevin will share his passion for storytelling, the use of media in culture, and how his entrepreneurial spirit shapes his personal and professional life.

"Media: Storyteller" (Video)

2/7/13  Ken Schiller, Founder and co-owner of K & N Management (Rudy's BBQ and Mighty Fine Burgers) addresses the topic of  "Values Matter: Creating Quality One Interation at a Time", focusing on how K&N's values of excellence, quality, integrity, and relationships helped his organization receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2010. (Flyer(PDF))

"Values Matter: Creating Quality One Interaction at a Time (Video)

12/6/12 Huston Street, Scott Linebrink and Chad Qualls discuss the question:  What does it take to become recognized as one of the best in your profession?  Some would say passion...some would say practice...some would say persistence...and some would say luck.  Putting together these different pieces of the puzzle are part of reaching one's goals and achieving success.  Each of the speakers this month has gone through numerable ups and downs in their journeys to and through the major leagues.  Join us for this event and listen in as Huston Street, Chad Qualls and Scott Linebrink share their stories of gain and pain, success and failure, joys and sorrows and thrills and spills -- all leading to success in baseball...and in life. (Flyer (PDF))

Passion and Persistence (Video)

11/1/12  The world is full of CEO and company presidents who have worked their way up the ladder and landed the position later in life…but how does one become CEO and president of their own company at the age of 25 or 30 – and how do they make that company successful?  Billy Moyer, Nathan Green, and Rusty Shelton will bring their story of how they ended up in their positions, what it takes to be successful in their positions, and what their future plans are for their positions.  Listen in as they  share their ideas – and their secrets – of what it means to be a young CEO. (Flyer (PDF))

Young CEO's Share Their Secrets (Video)

9/27/12  Brad Hewitt, Dick Moeller, and Kurt Senske all understand the concept that to make a meaningful impact in the world, it takes great leadership and great organizations that do great work.  They are building their organization to meet people’s needs through good business practices that create sustainability over time.  All three organizations have their roots in the Lutheran understanding of serving one’s neighbor, and each does so in a manner that recognizes the need for “doing good by doing well.” Their discussion will focus on the unique business models of each of the organizations, best practices in leading and managing these types of businesses, as well as how their Lutheran/Christian worldview shapes their personal leadership styles. (flyer (PDF))

The Business of Serving Others (Video)

9/6/12  Bobby Jenkins and Earl Maxwell bring to their organizations both a high personal ethic as well as doing what is right for the organization and the community at large.  Their discussion will focus on the formation of their personal ethical practices as well as real-life examples of how their business models have been successful because of those ethical practices. (flyer (PDF))

The Ethics of Good Business (Video)

4/5/12  Dr. Tom Cedel, President of Concordia University Texas, for the past ten years, has taken this small college on I-35 to a university that has an impact throughout the region and state. Listen in as he describes the joys and struggles of the journey he has taken during that time. (flyer (PDF))

View from the Top: From Pilot to President - A Leadership Jouney (Video)

3/1/12  Sherron Watkins, former Vice President of Enron and Steve Furbacher, former Chief Operating Officer of Dynegy Corporation will dialogue around the issue of how important ethics are in leadership roles, no matter the size of the organization. Prior to its demise at the end of 2001, Enron was known as one of the greatest companies to ever exist.  Both Sherron and Steve watched as this giant of industry imploded.  Sherron, who was the first person to alert then CEO Ken Lay of the accounting irregularities, has received numerous accolades for speaking the truth at that time; during the same time period, Steve was working at Dynegy whose offices were right down the street from Enron.  (flyer (PDF))

View from the Top:  Leadership and Ethics (Video)

2/2/12  Susan Lubin, Austin area philanthropist and volunteer and Ken Gladish, President and CEO of the Seton Foundations discuss the role successful individuals can have in making the world a better place through philanthropy and giving back to their communities, especially as they enter the 2nd half of their lives. (flyer (PDF))

View from the Top: Leaving a Legacy (Video)

12/1/11 John Garrett and Arnold Garcia have many years of experience in the field of media leadership. From advertising to reporting to editing, these men have become experts on the ins and outs of producing a newspaper, which has given them a keen perspective on the influence that the news media has in the Austin area. Join these two experienced journalists in their “View from the Top” as to how the media impacts our lives and shapes our communities. (flyer (PDF))

View from the Top: Influencing Community Opinion (Video)

11/3/11 Rick McLaughlin begins his third year as the President and Alternate Governor of the Texas Stars Hockey Club and General Manager of Cedar Park Center. Peter Lubell has over 14 years of diverse sports marketing and sales management experience. (flyer (PDF))

View from the Top: Building a Regional Sports Team (Video)

09/29/11 Sylvia Acevedo has committed herself to help women in all walks of life seek and find leadership roles in organizations throughout the community. Michelle Krejci commits her time and energy toward helping young girls build their leadership capacity through the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. (flyer (PDF))

View from the Top: Developing Women as Leaders

09/01/11 - Gerard Arpey has learned how to bridge the faith-work gap which seems like an impossible task for many people. He is able to bring his whole self to the workplace and to his leadership of American Airlines. Mr. Arpey credits this faith-work embodiment to the relationship he has with his Pastor and spiritual mentor, Rev. Walt Waiser. Listen in as these two friends and colleagues discuss the issue of faith and work with a view from the top. (flyer (PDF))

View from the Top: Balancing Faith & Work

04/07/11 - Susan Dawson and Bret Champion are both advocates for education reform, helping shape the future of schools in the greater Austin region.They discussed aligning educational goals with economic goals within the greater Austin area. (Flyer)

Improving Education for Economic Wellbeing (Video)

 

03/03/11 - Allyson Peerman and Russell Bridges discussed how larger companies and organizations can affect metropolitan regions. They also dialogued about the economic, political and social impacts of their own companies as well as other big businesses that have been brought to the greater Austin area. (Flyer (PDF))

The Role of Big Business in Austin (Video)

 

02/03/11 - Charles Attal and Carolyn Schwarz addressed the issue of why Austin's music scene is so important,what is needed to keep it strong and vibrant, and what the future holds for music in the greater Austin region. (Flyer (PDF))

The Future of Music in the Greater Austin Region (Video)

 

12/02/10 - Charles Barnett and Norman Chenven, focused their conversation on the need for affordable health care in Central Texas and how the new health care reform will affect both the patient and health care practitioners in the future. (Flyer (PDF))

Health care Reform and the Greater Austin Region (Video)

 

11/04/10 - Jerry Davis and Pete Winstead represent what is “right” with the greater Austin region—they both serve the common good in a variety of ways, using their influence and entrepreneurial mindsets to help people better their lives. (Flyer (PDF))

Present and Future Need for Social Services in the Greater Austin Region (Video)

 

09/30/2010 - Paul Bury, president of Bury+Partners, Inc. and Gary Farmer, president of Heritage Title Company of Austin have been active in the economic growth and development of the greater Austin region for over 25 years. They are committed to making a positive impact on Austin's growth and success. (Flyer)

Economic Growth and Development in the Greater Austin Region(Video) Note: very soft audio for the first 4 minutes

 

09/02/2010 - Joe Long, local philanthropist and influencer of the arts and Dr. Anton Nel, professor of piano and chamber

music at the University of Texas at Austin, and an international performance and recording artist. (Flyer (PDF))

The Health and Future of the Performing Arts in the Greater Austin Region (Video)

 

04/01/2010 - Donna Berber, Founder and Co-Chair of Glimmer of Hope Foundation (Flyer (PDF))

The Business of Water: An Entrepreneurial Success Story (Video)

 

03/04/2010 - Rob Bradley, CEO and Founder of the Institute for Energy Research (Flyer (PDF))

The Economics of Climate Change (Video)

 

02/04/2010 - Niyanta Spelman, Founder and Executive Director of Rain forest Partnership (Flyer (PDF))

Environmental Stewardship: A Global Issue (Video)

 

12/03/2009 - Bee Morehead, Executive Director of Texas Impact (Flyer (PDF))

Creation Care: Environmental Stewardship as Faith Practice (Video)

 

11/05/2009 - Kathleen Hartnett White, Distinguished Senior Fellow and Director of the Armstrong Center for Energy and the Environment at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (Flyer (PDF))

The Politics of Environmental Steward (Video)

 

10/01/2009 - Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas (Flyer (PDF))

Saving the Environment One Bill at a Time (Video)

 

09/03/2009 - Dr. Laurence Meissner, Prof. Paul Puffe, and Prof. Drew Thornley (Flyer (PDF))

Environmental Stewardship: Three Perspectives

 

Elizabeth Christian, President of ECPR & Associates Public Relations

Tom Stacy, President of T. Stacy & Associates (Video)

Lieutenant General Jefferson Howell, Former Director of Johnson Space Center

Father Jamie Mathis, President of San Juan Diego Catholic High School

David Stein, Managing Partner of Roger Beasley Automotive Sales

Corey Bell, Co-Founder and CEO of TriFusion

Rob Hutton, President of D.R. Horton Homes Central Texas

Jay Miller, COO and President of the Round Rock Express (Audio)

John Kieschnick, Pastor Emeritus of Gloria Day Lutheran Church

Jill Kolasinski, Founder and Directer of KIPP, Austin College Prep School (Audio)

Tony Budet, President and CEO of University Federal Credit Union (Audio)

Dick Moeller, President and CEO of St. David's Community Health Foundation

Janice Ryan, Former CEO of Sigma Dynamics

Kurt Senske, President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services

Dan Pruett, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels and More of Austin

John & Elaine Gibbs, Owners of The Maids Home Services of Austin

Rebecca Powers, Founder and Executive Director of Impact Austin

Michael Willard, Executive Director of Austin Habitat for Humanity

This page was last updated on Mar. 13, 2013.
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