Alumnus Puts Corporate Citizenship into Action
June 2008
Clayton State University alumnus and CEO of Walker Concrete Company and Walker Construction Products is pleased to talk about the recent sale of his companies, but with the conversation must come a little education: “It’s not cement, it’s concrete! Books say things like, ‘he fell and hit is head on the cement.’ But that’s just wrong. You see, cement is to concrete as flour is to cake.” Walker laughs, but you can tell he’s serious.
Doug Walker is also serious about his employees. Though the norm is for executives of big companies to sell, layoff employees, and walk away with multi-million dollar golden parachutes, Doug Walker celebrated the sale of his businesses by putting money back into the pockets of his employees. He distributed bonuses to the tune of $1,000 per year of service and handed out checks ranging from $1000 to $45,000 at an employee appreciation dinner in May. The total distribution to employees exceeded $2 million dollars.
Barney Walker, Doug’s father, founded Walker Concrete with a pickup truck and two-bag mixer in 1953. At age 16, Doug started driving a concrete truck for the firm. He actually hauled the mortar that helped build Clayton State University. In 1975, Walker went on to graduate from Clayton State and the School of Business. He assumed the role of President of Walker Concrete in 1980. In 2000, the firm diversified by adding Walker Construction Products with Gary Mercer as President. Last month, National Cement Company of Birmingham purchased both companies.
So why didn’t Doug Walker pack his bags and head to the lake for a little fishing after the sale of the companies? He says it’s because he still loves the business and enjoys working. “Walker Concrete has been a family business, and we had our best year in 2006 when we had gross revenue of $90 million dollars. Then in 2007, the residential markets had difficulties, so I decided that our best year would be the best time to get the most for the business. That’s why I put the firm up for sale when I did.” National Cement decided to keep the company’s names and keep Walker and Mercer as Presidents. According to Walker, “They let me run it as if it were mine. I have the best of both worlds.”
After the sale of the firm, the first thing Walker did was turn his attention to his 200 employees. “To have a successful business you have to have loyal employees. It’s only right that we share our good fortune with the people that helped us grow. The economy is difficult right now when you consider the price of gas and groceries. I wouldn’t have felt right about selling the company and then leaving my employees out on their own. Folks can really use the bonuses right now, and I didn’t want to forget the people who have helped me over the years.”
Walker attributes his generosity to “my upbringing in a Christian environment.” Now he is looking forward to new service opportunities in the community through his alma mater. Walker serves on the Foundation Board for the University and the Advisory Board for the School of Business, and his support at AACSB planning meetings was integral to the School receiving accreditation. Walker plans to be involved with fundraising and facilitating networking opportunities for the School, but he also hopes to mentor students. “I think I have a lot to share now that I’ve run a business for over 30 years. I want students to know that the most important thing about running a business is developing good relationships with your employees.”
MBA Program Starts Second and Third Cohorts
January 2008
After a successful start to the MBA program this past fall, the School of Business will start the second and third MBA cohorts in January 2008. The School designed the MBA for working professionals who will take 20 months to complete a rigorous curriculum offered in a lock-step cohort format. The program is comprised of 11 courses, the majority of which meet every other Saturday. The classes are Web enhanced so students only come to class approximately 45 days in a 20-month period.
This past fall, the School expected to begin with 20 students, but there was such an overwhelming response of competitive applicants, that the program admitted 35 strong students for the first Clayton State University campus cohort. However, the students weren’t just strong academically speaking, they “exhibited high levels of motivation, engagement, and involvement, while offering tremendous cultural and experiential diversity,” says Lou Jourdan, Associate Professor of Management.
Clearly, the new MBA is meeting a community need for professionals seeking to move their careers to the next level. Similar to the first cohort, the second cohort has also surpassed expectations with 23 graduate students enrolled. The third cohort, referred to as the Fayetteville cohort, will also begin in January and has enrolled 13 graduate students. The Fayetteville cohort is meeting at the world-class Dolce Atlanta - Peachtree conference center in Peachtree City, Georgia (formerly known as the Aberdeen Woods Conference Center).
“We have created a significant niche in the MBA marketplace by being the only Georgia program to emphasize supply chain management, an area critical to all management practitioners in today’s competitive global environment,” says Jacob Chacko, Dean of The School of Business, “...and to do so in multiple locations.”
Fayette MBA Program Approved by Regents
On October 9, 2007, Georgia’s Board of Regents officially approved The School of Business’ proposal to offer an MBA for working professionals in Fayette County beginning January 2008. The School’s MBA program began this fall with the first cohort being offered on the Clayton State University Campus. The Fayette cohort courses will be held at the Aberdeen Woods Conference Center in Peachtree City, Georgia.
We are very pleased to have an MBA program for Clayton State,” says Dr. Tom Eaves, Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, “and even more pleased that we can expand this rapidly to include the Fayette and Peachtree City community.” Meeting the Board of Regent’s standards for approval of a new academic program is an intricate process that moves from a letter of intent to a formal proposal that is subjected to a system-wide review by all University System of Georgia Institutions before the Board makes their final decision.
The School of Business conducted extensive cost analysis and market research before submitting a proposal, but according to Eaves, local support was a deciding factor as “this expansion would not have been possible without strong community support from city and county governments, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and local private business.”
With the Board of Regent’s approval in place, the School of Business can move ahead with its marketing and recruiting plans for January of 2008. According to Michael Deis, MBA Director and Associate Professor of Management, “Now we can actively move forward with advertising in local newspapers and radio stations. I am also actively meeting interested applicants at my office and setting appointments with local businesses to discuss the benefits of an MBA for their employees.”
Clayton State University’s MBA Program
Clayton State University’s long anticipated MBA program has finally arrived. The first cohort began classes in August 2007 and promises to augment this burgeoning metropolitan university’s influence on business recruiters throughout the region. The part-time program is designed for the working professional. The MBA is offered on weekends and is structured so the degree can be completed in less than 18 months combining traditional classroom instruction with enhanced on-line technology. The program’s initial cohort of approximately 30 students began classes on the Morrow campus and depending on demand, later cohorts may be offered at other locations.
“This MBA will be a great program that will meet the needs of our market and will only help improve the reputation of the whole university,” says Dean Ernest (Bud) Miller.
Last year, the School of Business’ accreditation through AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, was a major accomplishment by the School’s faculty and staff (less than 15 percent of business schools worldwide have earned AACSB accreditation) and the addition of the master’s program is another major accomplishment.
More information will be available online at http://business.clayton.edu/ regarding the Master of Business Administration. Or call the School of Business at (678) 466-4500.