Western Carolina University

Topics and Speakers

James Busbin
"Developing New Products"
"Consumer Behavior in the 21st Century"
"Meeting Competition"

Dr. James Busbin, professor and graduate of the University of Tennessee, has written more than thirty conference papers and fifteen articles about new product development and marketing strategies. He has worked as a consultant for companies such as Holly Ridge Foods in Wilmington and for agencies such as the U.S. Strategic Defense Command. He is a seasoned convention speaker.

David Coffee
"Technology and the Accounting Profession"

Associate Professor of Accounting Dr. David Coffee will bring you up-to-date on new technologies for accountants. A certified public accountant, he holds a doctorate in accounting from the University of Kentucky. He writes about accounting issues for academic journals.

Scott Higgins
"Communication Strategies for Organizations"
"Working as a Team"
"Managed Care Issues"

An expert in the much-debated health management arena, Dr. Scott Higgins has a doctorate in health sciences management from the University of South Carolina. In 1995, he became WCU's first faculty member to receive the UNC Board of Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Julie Johnson

Julie Johnson delivers speeches on Consultative Selling, Relationship Marketing, and Buyer-Seller Relationships.

John J. Sherlock
Presentations regarding leadership and personal/organizational learning theory and practice are tailored to an organization's specific needs.

Dr. John J. Sherlock, assistant professor of human resources, has 20 yearsexperience in high-tech industry, chief operating officer (COO) of global services organization, experienced leader and developer of leaders. He taught atGeorge Washington University and the University of Maryland before coming to WCU. His research and consulting interests focus on the relationship between leadership and learning.