G.B. Cazes '11
Vice President, Cyber Innovation Center
G. B. Cazes is Vice President of Cyber Innovation Center and a 2011 graduate of the MBA Program at Centenary. After completing his undergraduate degree from the Frost School of Business in 2002, he accepted a position with the business development team at Praeses, LLC. Rising through the ranks of Praeses , GB eventually became Director of the information management department. In 2007, he joined Cyber Innovation Center as Vice President, responsible for administration and execution of the planning, budgeting, sales, operations, and human resources functions. GB is active in our community serving on the board of directors for CoHabitat and Sci-Port. In addition, he was honored by The Shreveport Chamber of Commerce as one of its “40 under 40”.
When asked why he chose the MBA program at Centenary and the benefits gained from the experience, he responded, “Centenary offered the maximum flexibility, significant value, and practical one-on-one instruction that I wanted. The 10-week instruction periods kept me engaged, motivated and focused. The Centenary MBA program challenged me to become a better leader and executive. The diverse backgrounds of my classmates provided a unique opportunity to explore new approaches to business and leadership. The attention to executive leadership, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurship was invaluable. The Centenary MBA really challenges you to explore yourself, so that you can understand what is required to successfully lead others. The focus on entrepreneurship draws out the creative, innovative business mind we all have inside."
Zachary Chambers '10
Director, Strategic Partnerships, ReachLocal
Zachary Chamber is the Area Manager of North Louisiana for The Hertz Corporation and a 2010 graduate of Centenary’s MBA program. He is a 1999 graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in the classics. Zach notes that he chose The MBA program at Centenary because of the excellent reputation of both the College and the program. “I knew I would receive an outstanding graduate education from Centenary. The Frost School of Business also designed an MBA that is both affordable and convenient for working professionals.” Addressing the applied focus of the program, Zach points out, “I was able to immediately implement strategies that I learned in the classroom on Monday night, at work on Tuesday morning."
"I truly enjoyed the time spent earning my MBA from Centenary College. I have forged countless relationships with both classmates and faculty. The overall family atmosphere was very inviting and very encouraging. I am better equipped to be a leader in the business arena as well as my community because of Centenary.”
Adam Sistrunk '06
Vice President, BancorpSouth Premier Banking
Upon earning his M.S. in Agronomy from L.S.U., Adam Sistrunk began a career in agribusiness, farming cotton, rice, corn, and soybeans. The drought of 1998, coupled with new farm bill legislation and the Chicago Board of Trade’s depressed pricing, convinced Adam to shift gears and accept a move into commercial lending. After being named the youngest vice president by his initial employer, Bank One, Adam joined Centenary's Executive MBA program. Reflecting back on the program, Adam stated "In the process of earning my MBA from Centenary, I gained the knowledge and confidence to accept greater responsibilities and challenges, to work smarter, and keep my eye on the big picture. The end result has been personally, professionally, and financially rewarding."
In addition to his current responsibilities with BancorpSouth, Adam is on the board of the Caddo Bossier ARC, the Louisiana Association of the Blind, and is chairman of the Emerging Leader Society for the United Way. Adam was named in 2008 as one of Louisiana’s “40 Under 40”, recognizing successful young professionals from Northwest Louisiana for their outstanding achievements and community involvement. According to Adam, "Centenary’s eMBA program helped me become a generalist in all aspects of business - leadership, economics, finance, accounting, statistics, and marketing - and challenged me to think critically and strategically. I take the knowledge and skill set that I learned at Centenary, as well as real-life examples of success and failure, back to my workplace and clients, and additionally to the non-profit and church boards on which I serve."
Patrick Harrison '05
CEO, Sound Fighter Systems, LLC
When Patrick Harrison joined Sound Fighter Systems in 1997, it was exactly the type of manufacturing business he felt would provide the management challenges, responsibilities, and rewards he sought. In addition, he saw Sound Fighter Systems as a company ripe for acquisition –- his eventual goal. In 2001 Patrick joined with an investment partner and raised the necessary capital to affect a successful buyout. After assuming the roles of co-owner and president, Patrick sought an MBA to further hone his analytical skills, apply more efficient models to his current business practice, and develop successful strategies to grow his company. “One of the best business decisions I’ve made for my career and my company was getting my MBA through Centenary’s Executive MBA Program “, notes Patrick. “Centenary heightened my ability to make critical business decisions and to effectively lead with confidence and conviction.” In 2006 Patrick and Sound Fighter Systems were honored by the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year.