Business pirates descend on Music City

From right to left: Sean Baird (2019 STAFDA President), Maggie Melton, Tori Leech, James Hollis, Dr. John F. Kros, and Sean Baird’s daughter, an ECU Alumna, Sarah Gray, in the main lobby of the Country Music Hall of Fame for STAFDA’s DEWALT Tools reception

The Grand Ole Opry. The Tennessee Titans. Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich. Specialty Tools and Fastener Distributors Association (STAFDA). All names one would associate with Nashville, Tennessee. Right?

OK…maybe not the latter, but for four ECUCOB Supply Chain Management students, it certainly was the case. COB students Maggie Melton, James Hollis, Tori Leech and Stephen Schelfe, were selected to attend the November convention. Drs. John F. Kros and Mauro Falasca also attended as faculty advisors. Dr. Kros’ Vincent K. McMahon Distinguished professorship sponsored the students.

Kros says that COB attendance at these types of conferences is an exclusive invite. Not all programs and schools were invited.

WIIFT

What’s in it for them, the students? Networking with industry leaders and interaction with possible internship and job opportunities. It’s not uncommon for COB students to gain interviews and jobs at the event said Kros.

Hollis provided us his thoughts on attending the STAFDA conference, which he says was an amazing experience.

James Hollis provided comments on his experience. His walkaways included “the importance of knowing your role in the workplace and business word…of being assertive when it comes to your role.”

Hollis added, “I encourage other students to experience this as it gave me more of an open mind on different companies and the tool and hardware industry.”

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• Operations and Supply Chain Management