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September 30, 2006
Stuart Brown, Massey Alumni Spotlight
Stuart Brown is currently working as a Quality Engineer with Peterbilt Motors. He is responsible for auditing the assembly and installation processes on the manufacturing floor and maintains a corrective action system to address problems and implement improvements. He also functions as the coordinator for maintaining ISO 9001 certification.
e-Leader: What was going on in your career that would compel you to seek an MBA?
I saw the MBA program as a way to broaden my skills and differentiate myself as a more effective communicator and leader.
e-Leader: What originally brought you to The Massey School from all the other programs available in the area?
The Massey School had good reputation as an up-and-coming program for business people already entrenched in their careers. The location of the school was also an important factor. Since my business required me to cross Nashville on a daily basis, Belmont was conveniently located between work and home.
e-Leader: Where in your career have you found the value in your Massey MBA?
I have found my MBA most valuable with my company’s six sigma quality improvement initiatives. The Quantitative Statistics course was directly valuable in helping to reinforce the basics of measurable variation in systems and processes. I trained as a Six Sigma Black Belt about a year after entering the program. Otherwise, all course programs provided a great framework for understanding the measurements required for business success.
e-Leader: Is there a particular memory you have about The Massey School that really sticks with you that you would like to share?
Yes, a Decision Management course that involved running a business via an interactive software program. The class was divided into competitive teams. All the factors required for managing on a global scale were inputs for decisions to be made: hiring, training, plant capacity, financing, marketing, price strategy, bidding, inventory control, reinvestment, etc. The whole course was a blast for me. I recall spending hours in the computer lab evaluating the effects of the decision inputs and planning strategies. It was great fun. Though not a particular memory, the friendships and acquaintances of many were great and I always enjoy seeing one of my former classmates!
e-Leader: Since graduation, what have you done to continue your learning?
That’s a good question … probably not enough, but I became active in the Middle Tennessee section of the American Society for Quality (ASQ). As a volunteer officer, I assist in securing speakers for educational programs for our membership of quality professionals. We frequently learn about pioneer activities in business re-engineering.
e-Leader: Do you have any words of wisdom for current Massey School students?
Never underestimate the power of a smile and eye contact in all that you do!
September 22, 2006
Massey Matters
Lara Lee Whitehead (Massey School '99) died tragically August 29 in a car accident in Smyrna, TN where she and her husband, Barry Whitehead (Massey 1995) lived with their two daughters Carson, 3 and Dallas, 1. Lara Lee was employed by Aladdin Temp-Rite in Hendersonville as a Product Engineer and was originally from Decatur, Alabama. A celebration of her life was held Friday, September 1 at the First Baptist Church in Smyrna.
Gifts to honor her life are being accepted by The Massey School and The March of Dimes.
A fund for the education of her two daughters has been established at :
First Bank
ATTN: Jim Bryant
417 South Lowry Street
Smyrna, TN 37167
Lara Lee will be remembered as a vivacious, bright, energetic, beautiful, creative, high achieving individual. Please remember her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Jonathan Riggs (current MBA) and his wife Lara welcomed Caleb Josiah on August 25th. Caleb weighed in at 8lbs, 10oz and was 21 inches long.
Special thanks go to all the Alumni and current students for contributing to the recent Massey Information and Orientation Sessions.
September 07, 2006
Massey Alumni Participating in Hands on Nashville
The Massey Alumni Group will be participating in Hands on Nashville (HON) Day for Metro Schools on Saturday, September 30th from 8:00am to noon at Hickman Elementary School. Massey volunteers will be painting walls in the cafeteria and hallways and reorganizing storage areas. In order to participate, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and donate a minimum of $20.00 to HON. Massey volunteers are welcome to recruit friends and family to help!
Please contact Stacey Hardison at shardison@tractorsupply.com or (615) 324-4281 for more details and to sign-up.
Hands On Nashville
September 30, 2006
Hickman Elementary
112 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, 37214