It’s not often that business students can sit face-to-face with industry executives who share first-hand experience and insight into international business, product and service trends, and brand management – unless the students are at the College of Charleston. In the School of Business, the executives-in-residence and adjunct professors’ classes often fill quickly with eager undergraduate and graduate students who want insight and access to the industries and companies where the leaders worked so they can learn “how they built their careers” in good and weak economic times. 

The newest adjunct faculty addition is Susan O’Malley, former president and CEO of the Washington Sports and Entertainment including the Washington Wizards NBA franchise, Washington Mystics WNBA franchise, Washington Capitals NHL franchise, and former EVP for the Washington Bullets NBA franchise.

In fall 2013 O’Malley, a sports marketing and promotional master, will teach sports law, the business of sports, and sports marketing.

“Having industry leaders in the classrooms helps to prepare ‘ready-to-work’ graduates,” says Alan T. Shao, dean of the School of Business. “O’Malley brings a wealth of sports team and arena management, franchise brand building, and contract negotiation expertise to teach our students about the world of professional sports.  We have a lot of students interested in sports marketing and management.  It doesn’t get any better for them than to have O’Malley in the classroom.”

O’Malley, the first female president of an NBA franchise, began her sports career as director of advertising for the Washington Bullets in 1986. At the age of 29 and just eight years older than our typical graduate, O’Malley was named president of the team, and later went on to become president and CEO of Washington Sports and Entertainment and the Washington Wizards NBA franchise, managing a $650 million business, including Verizon Center, three sports franchises, USAirways Arena and TicketMaster. Today, she shares her professional experience at speaking engagements and continues to work on a consulting basis for Washington Sports and Entertainment.

O’Malley received her B.S. in business and finance from Mount Saint Mary’s College, and her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law School. She joins the College of Charleston School of Business from Saint Joseph’s University Haub School of Business. O’Malley has been featured in Sports Illustrated and Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal.

Other adjunct faculty members who contribute to the School of Business’ success include:

  • Tommy Baker, president and CEO of Baker Motor Company, School of Business Entrepreneur-in-residence, co-teaches a seminar in entrepreneurship.
  • Ben Lever, former president of Ford Motor Company (Japan) Ltd., director of Mazda Motor Corporation (Hiroshima) and Kia Motors (Seoul), teaches international management.
  • Stephen Todd, CPA and Ernst & Young’s former global vice chairman, teaches contemporary accounting issues.
  • Garth Cook, senior leader, education relations, Boeing South Carolina, teaches management and organizational behavior.
  • Leonard Hutchinson, president of the Charleston area Wells Fargo Bank, teaches intermediate finance.
  • David Morgan, president and CEO of Litton Entertainment and 2012 Emmy Award Winner, teaches the business of television.
  • Peter Smith, trust administrator for John Hancock Financial Services, teaches risk management and insurance.
  • David Holscher, general manager of the North Charleston Coliseum, Performing Arts Center, Charleston Areas Convention Center, teaches events management.
  • Richard Bilas, former president of the California Public Utilities Commission, teaches environmental economics.
  • Bob Brinson, co-founder of Halcyon, co-instructs managerial leadership with Dr. Howard Rudd.
  • Cynthia Grosso, founder of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, teaches business etiquette.

About the College
The College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart
of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top
universities for quality education, student life and affordability. With more than 11,000 students,
the College of Charleston offers the distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus,
modern facilities and cutting-edge programs.

About the School of Business
College of Charleston’s School of Business offers six undergraduate majors and several interdisciplinary concentrations, an honors program, an M.S. in Accountancy and an MBA.  Approximately 1500 undergraduate and graduate students attend from as far away as China, Germany and Brazil. The faculty has research expertise in areas such as global logistics, hospitality and tourism, political economics, financial investment, bankruptcy, business intelligence, and sustainable business practices. Visit http://sb.cofc.edu/to learn more about our students’ achievements, undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty and Centers of Excellence.