Carol Spieckerman, president and CEO of the retail strategy firm newmarketbuilders, has been named the University of the Ozarks' 2012-2013 Business Leader of the Year by the University's Division of Business, Communication and Government.
Spieckerman, a Bentonville, Ark.-based retail and brand thought leader, speaker, strategist, and author, spoke at U of O on Feb. 13 as part of the PBL-Enactus Distinguished Speakers Series. She was given the award by Division Chair Dr. Robert Hilton and University Provost Dr. Daniel Taddie following her presentation.
"The Business leader of the Year Award is way for us to recognize someone who has been an exemplary businessperson in their respective field and who has made positive contributions to University of the Ozarks in a way that contributes to excellence in business education," said Hilton. "Ms. Spieckerman definitely fits that description and we are pleased to be able to honor her."
Spieckerman spoke on "The Transmedia Transformation: How Retail Will Drive a Decade of Disruption." Her talk covered how retail, business and consumer dynamics tie together and ways that retail has become a leading-edge indicator and influencer in the digital age.
The University’s Division of Business, Communication and Government began awarding the Business Leader of the Year Award in 2003, following the business program gaining accreditation by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The award is modeled on the IACBE Business Leader of the Year Award guidelines.
Past recipients of the U of O Business Leader of the Year Award are:
2003-2004: Don Soderquist of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
2004-2005: Ray Hobbs, alumnus, president and CEO of Daisy Outdoor Products
2005-2006: Ramesh Retnam, alumnus, president of Varsity Company International
2006-2007: John McFarland, president and CEO of Baldor Electric Company
2007-2008: Jack Shewmaker, executive consultant, Board of Directors, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
2008-2009: Greg Jensen, alumnus, co-founder, and executive vice president of logistics and transportation, Propak Logistics
2009-2010: Joe Allbright, vice President of international real estate, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
2010-2011: Rendi Black, vice president, agency, State Farm Insurance Companies, Inc.
2011-2012: Carol Spieckerman, president and CEO, newmarketbuilders
Carol Spieckerman, a Northwest Arkansas retail and brand strategist, accepts a certification of appreciation from PBL President Julie Petz (left) and Enactus President Ana Hernandez, following her presentation in the PBL-Enactus Distinguished Speakers Series on Feb. 13.
Topics: Business Administration