The University of Tulsa’s Collins College of Business has announced its 2023-24 lineup for the annual Friends of Finance Executive Speaker Series. The series brings leading executives to the UTulsa campus to share insights into important business issues.
“For more than two decades, the Friends of Finance Executive Speaker Series has brought together some of the brightest minds in the world of business, offering invaluable insights an inspiration to our students and the broader community,” said Kathy Taylor, dean of the Collins College of Business. “These speakers, who represent best in class expertise in business, ignite a passion in our students and showcase the exceptional opportunities for our business students. The series also funds scholarships for top TU finance students from around the country.”
The series kicks off Sept. 20 with Shane Wharton, who was named president of Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores in April 2019.
His career with Love’s began more than 25 years ago. Today, Love’s has more than 600 locations in 42 states. There are over 38,000 employees in the Love’s family of companies.
As president, Wharton provides leadership, strategies and processes to support the company’s rapid growth. He oversees operations, human resources, information technology, legal and fleet sales. Prior to Love’s, he was a senior auditor at KPMG and controller for Data Times.
A graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City and member of the American Institute of CPAs and Oklahoma Society of CPAs, Wharton has actively served in various capacities for the United Way of Central Oklahoma for more than 15 years. He also served on the boards of Leadership OKC’s Youth Leadership Exchange, Oklahoma Science Museum and the Homeless Alliance.
Following Wharton is Sharon Prince, CEO and founder of Grace Farms Foundation, who will speak on Oct. 18.
The final speaker of 2023 is Judy McReynolds, chairman, president and CEO of ArcBest, on Nov. 15.
In 2024, the series will pick back up on Jan. 17 with Dax Craig, cofounder and CEO of Pie Insurance.
Next up is a panel of Vast Bank leaders featuring Brad Scrivner, CEO; Natalie Parker, CRO; and Stephen Taylor, CTO, on Feb. 21.
A month later, on March 27, Pierce Norton, president and CEO of ONEOK, will speak.
The season will conclude with Jared Peterson, president of AAA Oklahoma, on April 17.
“For decades, Friends of Finance has been an invaluable part of Tulsa’s academic and commercial landscape, a place where business professionals can network and be enlightened against the backdrop of The University of Tulsa’s Collins College of Business,” said Friends of Finance Board President Mike Neal, who is also president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “The Executive Speaker Series never disappoints and the 2023-24 slate is no exception, providing a mix of local and national guests capable of amplifying the audience’s understanding of their respective sectors.”
For more information or to RSVP, please visit utulsa.edu/fof.