Sharilyn Gasaway, ’89, will deliver the academic year’s first “Inside the C-Suite” lecture for Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business. The lecture will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. in Davis Auditorium (College of Business 101).

“I am thrilled to welcome Sharilyn back to campus to speak with students on her role leading Alltel through their buyout and merger,” said Dr. Chris Martin, dean of the College of Business. “She’ll also share her experience as the owner of this year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan. Given Sharilyn’s leadership and entrepreneurial experience, this will be a valuable and extremely interesting lecture for our students.”

This Spring, Gasaway celebrated in the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle with her three-year-old thoroughbred Mystik Dan, winner of the 150th Run for the Roses.

Gasaway served as executive vice president and CFO of Alltel Corp., the Arkansas-based Fortune 500 wireless carrier, from 2006 – 2009. She was part of the executive team that spearheaded Alltel’s transition through the largest private equity buyout in the telecom sector and was an integral part of the successful combination of Alltel and Verizon. Today, she serves on the Boards of Directors for HanesBrands, J.B. Hunt, and Genesis Energy, LP.

A licensed CPA, Gasaway earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech in accounting and attended the executive development program at The Wharton School. She is a member of Tech’s College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board and the Louisiana Tech Foundation Board. Gasaway is a Shreveport native who now lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband, Brent.

“Inside the C-Suite” provides a forum for top corporate leaders from some of the nation’s most prominent companies to share their views on topics of societal, academic, and professional importance. The series strives to stimulate insightful conversation on current issues by providing a platform for high-level executives to speak about cutting-edge issues, elaborate on trends, share wisdom, and provide important career inspiration and advice for students. Topics cover a variety of themes in core business subjects such as economic climate, ethics, corporate responsibility, leadership, globalization, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and diversity.

For more information on “Inside the C-Suite,” contact Mary Susan Britt, executive director of development for the College of Business, at marysusan@latechalumni.org or 318.257.3741.