Executive Development Program

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Click here for online registration. Register before June 30 to receive last year’s rates!

The Executive Development Program is designed for senior level leaders in vending, coffee service and foodservice, who are key decision-makers in areas of finance, marketing, operations and human resource management. The purpose of this program is to help leaders think like the CEO/Owner and to move a company to the next level in the competitive marketplace. The program will deliver techniques designed to help attendees learn to grow revenue, develop new marketing plans, think strategically and enhance your personal leadership.

• Enhance the skills enabling you to become a more dynamic leader.
• Participate as an active team member as you examine the case study of a full line vending operation. Working with other department teams you will explore and develop a new strategic plan to help turn this company around creating a stronger and profitable organization.
• Receive a comprehensive education in a dynamic, real-world setting created for busy professionals.
• Learn new business modules and better ways of strategically positioning your business for growth.
• Network and brainstorm with other industry leaders through classroom discussion and interactive case studies.
• Develop a customized Personal Action Plan documenting new ideas and strategies for immediate application back home.

This unique program provides a comprehensive look at current successful business practices in these industries, including the environment in which a vending, coffee service or foodservice management company operates, and the key functional areas of management. The NAMA Executive Development Program is taught by a group of MSU's most distinguished faculty, along with speakers with excellent knowledge of and backgrounds in the vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries.

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NAMA’s Executive Development Program receives stellar reviews from recent grads. Check out the YouTube video testimonials from two 2012 graduates, Jennifer Toomey of Refreshment Solutions and Angelo Lombardo of Coca-Cola.

“This program provides the gateway to the tools needed to move the industry into the next generation. Having a toolbox does not make you a mechanic and what the program emphasized is the APPLICATION of the tools that they share with you. I consider this is an investment not only in my own personal growth, but in the growth of the industry of which I am a member.”
Rob Shoemake, G&J Marketing and Sales LLC

“This Executive Development Program is a must go! Defines Leadership, management, operational control, and effective communication in totality within the vending, OCS and Food Service Business. You feel honored to attend and become and outstanding Leader in this industry.”
James Taylor, Business Services Specialist, U.S. Marine Corp, Services and Vending

“I would recommend this program for any top level manager. It's an intellectual course with topics relevant to all aspects of our industry. I left the program with a more concentrated understanding of management, and a deeper understanding of myself as an individual.”
Jeff West, Jr., Vice President, West Dairy, Inc.

2012 Graduating Class

Dr. Ronald F. Cichy, Ph.D., NCE5, CHA Emeritus
Ronald F. Cichy is The School of Hospitality Business director and one of its professors. Cichy team-teaches Total Quality Management in the Hospitality Industry with John King, president and COO of HDS Services. He is the author or co-author of four books, including Managing Food and Beverage Service and Quality Sanitation Management. Together with other faculty colleagues in The School, Cichy is a recognized researcher, and he is the authority on leadership qualities of hospitality leaders spanning all segments of the industry.

Dr. William Donohue
William A. Donohue is currently professor of Communication at Michigan State University. Professor Donohue has published four books in the area of conflict, communication, negotiation and mediation. His 1992 book, Interpersonal Conflict, is a practical, hands on tool for people to use in managing conflicts in their routine interpersonal contacts. In 1991 he published the book Communication, Marital Dispute, and Divorce Mediation which provides mediators with a researched-based guide to facilitate communication in marital disputes. Dr. Donohue's primary research interests lie in the areas of business communication, marketing, conflict, and information management in organizations.

Dr. Gil Harrell
Gilbert D. Harrell is Professor of Marketing, Eli Broad College of Business and Graduate School of Management, Michigan State University. His teaching, research, and consulting activities focus on sustainable competitive advantage, building business value, consumer satisfaction, sales management, strategic planning, and relationship marketing. Dr. Harrell has consulted in over 20 countries and he maintains an active multinational clientele. He has received wide acclaim from his clients as a leading strategist, motivational speaker, and facilitator. Dr. Harrell has developed strategic marketing systems and has given keynote speeches at top executive meetings for more than 100 Fortune 500 and mid-size organization,

Dr. Michael Kasavana, Ph.D., CHTP, NCE5

Michael L. Kasavana is the National Automatic Merchandising Association professor in hospitality business and holds CHTP (Certified Hospitality Technology Professional) certification. He continues research into the current and near future Developments of electronic commerce and transaction processing technology. He has also created a series of instructional materials and software products. Dr. Kasavana has been actively exploring Internet, Intranet and Extranet opportunities for various aspects of the hospitality industry involving virtual cash transactions, application service providers, e-procurement, and effective web site design. He recently completed an innovative research project dealing with the impact of technology on industry productivity and competitive advantage and is credited with coining the phrase “V-commerce”.

Dr. Bonnie Knutson
Bonnie J. Knutson is a professor in The School of Hospitality Business. Widely known as an authority on emerging lifestyle trends and creative marketing strategies, she often consults with business leaders who want to understand and take advantage of changing consumer demands. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and on CNN. She has also had articles appear in numerous hospitality publications, and is editor of The Journal of Hospitality and Leisure Marketing.
With her wit and entertaining style, Bonnie is a frequent speaker at industry meetings all over the United States, and has addressed hospitality organizations in other countries, from China to the former Soviet Union. She has also been NAMA featured presenter at the National

Dan H. Mathews, NCE5, CCS
Dan Mathews is Executive Vice President & COO for the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA). Dan also maintains an ownership interest in a management, organizational development, customer service and personal leadership training/consulting service. Dan is a problem solver and business improvement specialist recognized for the ability to develop people and dedicated to helping organizations and individuals achieve more of their goals more often.
Prior to joining NAMA in January 1999 and forming his consulting company in September 1997, Dan was Area President for ARAMARK Uniform Services in central USA. Dan is a member of the Eli Broad College of Business Alumni Association Board of Directors at Michigan State University. He is also Chairperson Emeritus of The School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association Executive Board of Directors at Michigan State University.

James M. Proebstle
James Proebstle completed his MBA in marketing and his BA in business from Michigan State University. As President and founder of Prodyne, Inc., Jim’s 30-year career has included increasing responsibilities in large and middle-market organizations in the information systems and computer industries. He has experience in direct sales operations, management and sales training, marketing, and total quality management.

Dr. Ray Schmidgall
Ray Schmidgall, Ph.D., CPA is the Hilton Hotels Professor of Hospitality Financial Management and The School of Hospitality Business accounting and financial management expert. He serves on industry committees of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals and American Hotel & Motel Association. He conducts managerial accounting seminars for CMAA, HFTP, and GCSAA. The fourth edition of his Managerial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry was released in July 1997. He is currently writing a book on hospitality financial management for the club industry. In 1998 he had a dozen articles published to add to over 120 articles in the past.

Scott Westerman
Scott Westerman is the Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations/Executive Director at Michigan State University since 2010. Previously, he was an area vice president for Comcast Corp.'s West Division in New Mexico. Scott received his B.A. in telecommunication from MSU. He has served as president of the MSUAA national alumni board, and was awarded the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award.

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