Industry Giants Share Insights at UMO Tillman Event

April 14, 2025
Contact:  Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations

MOUNT OLIVE—The University of Mount Olive’s Tillman School of Business recently hosted a Tillman Executive Roundtable. The event brought together a powerhouse panel of distinguished executives whose careers have left lasting impressions on regional and national industries.

Held in Rodgers Chapel before a packed audience of students, faculty, and community members, the event featured William H. “Bill” Bryan, Executive Chairman and former President and CEO of Mount Olive Pickle Company; Drew M. Covert, Chairman and CEO of Southern Bank and Trust Company; and Robert L. “Bob” Tillman, former President, CEO, and Chairman of Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Each panelist shared insights from their decades of leadership experience, offering advice on navigating challenges, driving innovation, and leading with integrity.

“These individuals are not only accomplished professionals but also visionary leaders who understand the importance of service and community,” said Dr. Kathy T. Best, Dean of the Tillman School of Business. “They provided our students with sound and solid advice that will guide them as they prepare to enter and lead in the business world.”

Macy Parkhurst, a senior business major and moderator for the event, reflected on the opportunity to engage with the panel. “It was an honor to moderate a discussion with such impactful leaders. Hearing their stories and advice firsthand has given me a deeper perspective on what it means to be a successful and ethical leader,” she said.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.