Rusty Yerkes, assistant professor of finance in Samford University’s Brock School of Business, has been selected for a leadership role on the board of directors of the Financial Management Association (FMA) International. Yerkes will serve a three-year term as chair of the student chapters committee beginning in October 2018.
In a letter to Yerkes, FMA Executive Director Michelle S. Lui said, “The search committee and the board were impressed with your passion for student professional development, dedication to the FMA, and enthusiasm for leading initiatives that enhance opportunities for student internships and job placement. We look forward to the new ideas and energy that you will bring to the FMA student chapters committee.”
Yerkes has served FMA as a member of the committee and as the faculty advisor to Samford’s student chapter for many years.
“During this time, I’ve seen firsthand the professional development opportunities an FMA chapter offers students at the campus level and through sponsored events such as the annual FMA Finance Leaders Conference which rotates between Chicago and New York,” Yerkes said. “This conference hosts several hundred students who come together from all over the globe for collaboration, professional development and networking.”
In his new role, Yerkes will be responsible for control and supervision of FMA's student programs and National Honor Society and will sit on the FMA Board of Directors.
Yerkes added, “As chair, I will work with the other committee members to ensure FMA continues to provide excellent finance related resources for students and a venue for finance students to develop personally and professionally, both locally and globally.”
“Rusty’s passion for the opportunities that this organization creates for students, specifically for Samford students, is evident for all to see,” said Steven Jones, chair of Brock’s economics, finance and quantitative analysis department.
“Having the chair of this committee serving on the Brock School of Business faculty adds significantly to the value of a finance degree from Samford University,” Jones added. “It is also a well-deserved recognition for Professor Yerkes.”