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Spring 2009 Executive Lecture Schedule Set

The college’s Wachovia and Dean’s Executive Lecture series are held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the NC State College of Management in Nelson Hall, at the corner of Hillsborough Street and Dan Allen Drive in Raleigh. The series features top executives of leading companies and are open to the public at no charge. Parking is available in the Dan Allen Parking Deck on the NC State campus.

Wachovia Executive Lecture Series presentations:

  • January 12: Jim Whitehurst, president and chief executive officer, Red Hat. Topic: Leading through Challenging Times
  • March 18: Dennis Gillings, CEB, PhD, chairman and chief executive officer, Quintiles Transnational

Dean’s Executive Lecture Series presenter:

  • February 4: Scott Custer, chief executive officer, RBC Bank

About our Speakers

  • Jim Whitehurst, President and Chief Executive Officer, Red Hat

Jim Whitehurst was named president and chief executive officer of Red Hat in December 2007. He joined Red Hat from Delta Airlines where he served most recently as chief operating officer, responsible for operations, sales and customer service, network and revenue management, marketing and corporate strategy. Whitehurst graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics from Rice University, and attended Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany. He holds a general course degree from the London School of Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

  • Scott Custer, Chief Executive Officer, RBC Bank

Scott Custer guides RBC Bank’s overall strategy and operations, managing for growth and strong returns. Additionally, he leads the RBC Bank Board of Directors in setting business strategies. In his previous role as president of RBC Centura Bank, Custer was responsible for retail and commercial banking delivered through RBC Centura’s regional market structure. Custer has 25 years of experience in the financial services sector. Before joining RBC Centura, he served as a commercial banking manager for First Union National Bank and began his career as a commercial banking officer with Wachovia Bank. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from the College of William and Mary.

  • Dennis Gillings, CBE, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Quintiles Transnational

Dr. Dennis Gillings began providing statistical consulting and data management services to pharmaceutical clients in 1974 during his 15-year tenure as professor of biostatistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Quintiles arose from his consulting activities and was incorporated in 1982. With nearly 30 years’ experience in drug development applications and theory, Dr. Gillings has provided expert consultation to numerous companies and health organizations, including the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute for Dental Research and the Institute of Medicine. He was honored by the Queen of England as Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2004 for services to the pharmaceutical industry. He was appointed Pro-Chancellor of Southampton University in 2006.