Dr. Bob Cunningham, CEO of the Heritage Group and the Cunningham Group, recently joined Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business as Executive in Residence. Cunningham joins Bill Bradley, retired senior vice president of cyber engineering and technology services at CenturyLink, as Executive in Residence. Bradley was named the College’s first Executive in Residence in 2018.

“Bob brings a wealth of real-world experience that will help us continue to establish a deeper connection between the business community and the College,” said Dr. Chris Martin, dean of the College of Business. “As a three-time College of Business alumnus, Bob has a unique connection to the University and is invested in the success of our students. I’m honored that he has accepted this position as our second Executive in Residence.”

Executives in Residence cultivate long-term relationships with students and faculty, sharing their expertise and insider perspective with students in the classroom, on research projects, and through out-of-class lectures, workshops, and mentoring opportunities. Each year, the College of Business hosts hundreds of business practitioners, but Executives in Residence retain a uniquely deep long-term relationship with the College.

“Real world relevant business experience coupled with an academic background is a strong combination for bringing value to the student experience as well as enhancing the dialogue between academia and the workplace,” said Cunningham. “Also, given the high concentration and integration of technology in virtually every aspect of the world of business, I hope, through this role, to shine a light on the human element and its role in fostering strong business relationships.”

Cunningham received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1973, Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1985, and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree in 1996—all from Louisiana Tech’s College of Business.

“I hope to bring a fresh business perspective to the learning environment in the College of Business, drawing on my broad business background as an educator, business owner, consultant, and board member,” said Cunningham. “My expectation is that this focus will encourage respect for and develop skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.”

Cunningham currently serves as CEO of the Heritage Group, a consulting firm specializing in the higher education sector, and the Cunningham Group, a fraud investigation company. His entrepreneurial spirit and love of accounting have been woven throughout his career — from starting his own delivery business immediately after college and later an accounting practice, to serving as an instructor at both Louisiana Tech and Grambling State University.

In 1999, he and a partner purchased a cable contracting construction company through a partnership with a large telecommunications company where he worked fulltime after his retirement from teaching in 2006. The company was sold in June 2015. In addition to those interests, Bob has served as the evangelist for Queensborough Church of Christ in Shreveport since 1984.