A broad range of alumni reconnected with the Harbert College of Business and with each other at the second-annual Harbert Day held on campus April 24. The day’s events included sessions featuring campus, academic and Auburn Athletics leadership; Harbert faculty, students and alumni; and an award-winning corporate CFO.

Among the highlights were an introduction to Auburn’s new strategic plan presented by Provost Vini Nathan, an overview of Harbert College from Dean Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, and a student panel discussion on what makes the student experience Distinctly Harbert.

Attendees also learned about AI in business from industry and academic experts, heard a sampling of Harbert faculty research in supply chain management, accounting and business analytics, and enjoyed a fireside chat with General Motors (GM) CFO and alumnus Paul Jacobson.

The program concluded with a lively and entertaining session with Auburn Athletics coaches and AD, followed by a networking reception for all alumni and friends.

Lessons from C-suite veteran Paul Jacobson, GM CFO

Keynote speaker Jacobson shared valuable insights on executive leadership and lessons he’s learned from his own career.

Before joining GM in December 2020, Jacobson had an accomplished 23-year career at Delta, where he helped transform the airline into one of Fortune’s Top 50 Most Admired Companies for six straight years.

As Jacobson noted, conventional wisdom about climbing the corporate ladder as fast as you can isn’t always the best path to success.

“I did the direct opposite. I planted roots, grew those out, got deep into a subject and learned how it has an impact across the whole company,” said Jacobson, who started at Delta in 1997 as an analyst and steadily moved up the corporate ladder. “You’ve got to feel out your own way, contribute where you can and always raise your hand and sign up for things.”

In 2012, Jacobson recalled, then-Delta CEO Richard Henderson took him aside and suggested he start thinking about becoming CFO. At the time, Jacobson was senior VP and treasurer, and he figured Henderson’s idea would take several years to come to fruition.

Instead, Jacobson was promoted to CFO within weeks. To this day, Jacobson recalls what Henderson told him when he initially expressed mild reservations about the CFO suggestion: “I’m not going to let you fail.”

“I don’t think [Henderson] realized what a profound impact this had on me,” Jacobson said. “That was such a great leadership moment for me.”

Jacobson’s leadership mantra is to set others up for success, as well.

“My number one job is to develop people to advance,” said Jacobson, who was an eight-time winner of Institutional Investor Magazine’s airline industry’s best CFO award.

Jacobson acknowledged the positive career influence of other CEOs, including current Delta CEO Ed Bastian and GM CEO Mary Barra, who he has watched navigate tough decisions that seemingly don’t have any good options.

“I’ve watched their behavior, and I’ve tried to emulate it and when you don’t know [which decision is right], revert back to your values,” he said, as he shared a story about how Bastian fulfilled a promise made by his predecessor to provide Delta employees industry-standard pay following the airline’s merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008—in the midst of the recession and financial crisis.

“It’s much better to fulfill and keep your deals than to say I can’t honor that because the world has changed around me,” he said.

Jacobson’s talk resonated with four-time alumnus Felix Verdigets, who became CEO at Nateland Company last year and earlier in his career rose through the ranks at KPMG to become partner.

“Hearing him say that he slowed down and took the time to understand the [business] and be the best he could be at it was a great reminder that you’ve got to be the expert and not just the first in line to advance,” Verdigets said. “Listening to him explain that as one of the most successful CFOs in the U.S. was pretty cool.”

Verdigets also appreciated the messaging around developing the next generation of leaders—a theme that was evident from the Harbert student panel prior to Jacobson’s talk. “This is all about the student experience and raising up the next generation of amazing leaders coming out of an amazing school.”

The coachs’ perspective

Harbert Day’s formal program ended with a fireside chat moderated by David Walker, CEO of EBSCO, which featured Auburn Football Coach Hugh Freeze, Athletic Director John Cohen and Men’s Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl.

The trio touched on a number of issues, including the ever-changing NIL landscape, how recognizing your organization’s talented people and taking good care of them is at the heart of winning championships, and the value of setting high standards for a team and any organization.

Pearl also pinpointed what makes Auburn such a special place that is beloved by its students and alumni.

There are two things that make Auburn so unique and is foundational—they are faith and family, said Pearl.

In his remarks at the end of the event, Harbert Alumni Council Chair Kyle Tothill echoed Pearl’s observation, citing the results of a recent Harbert College alumni survey.

“The number one attribute that came back [from our alumni] about Auburn was that it’s home,” Tothill said. “That’s the incredible thing about this place. It’s also very clear from the young people we heard from today that we’re producing some outstanding students.”

Appreciation for their support

Alumnus David Walker (accounting), president and CEO of EBSCO Industries, initiated the idea for Harbert Day and planning for this year’s event was led by alumna Cindy Taylor (industrial management), COO of EnSignis Digital. Both Walker and Taylor are members of the Harbert Alumni Council.

Harbert Day was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors.