Shila Bowron Leadership Lecture Series

Former Crimson Tide football player, College of Human Environmental Sciences' alum, and accomplished entrepreneur, Peter Kim shares his life experiences. Mr. Kim owns 28 restaurants in Hawaii and credits much of his success to the teachings of his beloved Coach "Bear" Bryant and the education he received while a student in HES.

Mr. Jon Crisp is the general manager of the newly-opened Embassy Suites Tuscaloosa Alabama Downtown, a property owned Embassy Suites Hotels, the Hilton Worldwide brand of upscale all-suite hotels. He is the President of the American Society of Ecotourism and is an AHLA - Certified Hotel Administrator who has received multiple, nationally-recognized awards, including the Conrad Hilton Award (2002 & 2004), the Intercontinental Hotels Newcomer of the Year (2010), the Intercontinental Hotels Torchbearer Award (2011 & 2012), the Intercontinental Hotels Group Global Partners in Safety Award (2013), the White House Presidential Commendation for Service to the White House Staff (2012), and the Trip Advisor Excellence Award Winner (2009 – 2013). Additionally, Mr. Crisp was named by Hotel Management Magazine as one of America’s Top 25 Managers to Watch in 2014. A native-born Southerner, Mr. Crisp calls Millington, Tennessee his hometown. He graduated from the University of Memphis in 1979. He continues to maintain an active interest in supporting professional learning and higher education, serving as an Adjunct Professor in the Kemmons Wilson School of Resort and Hospitality Management at the University of Memphis and guest lecturer for the Vanderbilt School of Law, The University of Alabama - Dept. of Human Nutrition & Hospitality Management, The University of Mississippi School of Nutrition & Hospitality Management, Belmont University, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Hilton Worldwide University, InterContinental Hotels Regional Revenue Conference.

Mayor Robert Craft speaks in depth regarding the development of tourism in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He specifically highlights this city's history, character, future, and the struggles it faced due to the BP oil spill.

Jennifer Yuengling shares her family's heritage built from generations of impactful leadership.