Pamplin alumni to discuss business and information technology in Wachovia lectures

9 Sep 2010

The Pamplin College of Business will host two Wachovia Distinguished Lectures by alumni this fall.

Daniel J. Connolly, who earned a doctorate in hospitality and tourism management in 1999, is associate dean for undergraduate programs at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. He will give his talk, "Taking the High Road," on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 4 p.m. at the Holtzman Alumni Center’s Alumni Assembly Hall.

Bruce C. Carver, who earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1983, is a vice president and chief information officer at Indiana-based Cummins, which designs, manufactures, sells, and services diesel engines and related technology. He will discuss "Convergence of Business and Information Technology" on Thursday, Sept. 30., at 3:30 p.m. at the Holtzman Alumni Center’s Alumni Assembly Hall.

Both events are free and open to the public, no tickets needed. Free parking is available at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. Find more parking information online or call (540) 231-3200.

Connolly, whose teaching, research, and consulting interests focus on the strategic application of information technology and e-commerce, co-authored Technology Strategies for the Hospitality Industry, which views hospitality information systems as a source of business growth, not just a cost center. An executive advisor to trade association Hotel Technology Next Generation, Connolly also serves on the executive board of the Hospitality Industry Technology Association and on the advisory boards of Groople and Tiare Technology. He has taught at institutions that include Virginia Tech, worked in information systems at Marriott International, and has more than 10 years experience in hotel and restaurant operations.

Carver leads Cummins' global services for finance, human resources, customer care, and information technology and oversees the latter’s global strategy and program execution. Before joining Cummins in 2008, Carver served in leadership positions at such companies as automotive parts supplier Dana Corporation, where he was vice president and CIO, with responsibility for the global IT program, and PepsiCo, where he helped lead the information systems function as vice president and division CIO for beverages and foods. Carver was also at Reynolds and Reynolds, a Dayton, Ohio, provider of automotive software systems and services, where he worked in several senior positions before becoming vice president and CIO.

Recent Wachovia Distinguished Speakers have included the following alumni: Nielsen chairman and CEO David L. Calhoun, Dial president and CEO Brad Casper, and Wells Fargo Securities vice president Nick D’Angelo. The lecture series has also featured senior executives, including alumni, from Wachovia, GE, IBM, Ralph Lauren, KPMG, Siemens Corporation, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, among others.